From the days of handwritten orders to the modern age of digital restaurant management systems, technology has transformed the way restaurants manage their orders. In this article, explore how restaurant order management systems have evolved over the years—from paper-based ordering to today’s cloud-based platforms—and how these systems have revolutionized the industry.
Restaurants have been around for centuries, but what about the technology we use to manage them? What have been the changes that have allowed restaurant owners to move from a paper-based system of taking orders, to a digital one? In this article, we explore the history of restaurant order management systems and see how far they’ve come.
History of restaurant order management systems
In the early days of restaurant order management systems, orders were taken on paper and then manually input into a computer system. This was time-consuming and often led to errors.
With the advent of mobile devices, restaurants were able to develop apps that allowed customers to place their orders directly onto their smartphones or tablets. This made ordering faster and more accurate, as well as allowing customers to view the menu and make choices before they even arrived at the restaurant.
Today, there are a variety of restaurant order management systems available, from simple apps that allow customers to place their orders directly with the kitchen, to sophisticated systems that integrate with POS systems and track customer preferences. No matter what type of system a restaurant chooses, it’s important that it provides a seamless experience for both customers and staff.
Automation and digital transformation in the industry
The restaurant industry has long been reliant on paper-based order management systems. However, with the advent of digital transformation and automation, these systems are becoming increasingly obsolete.
Digital transformation is the process of using technology to create new or improved business processes, products, and services. It’s about using technology to make things better – faster, easier, and more efficient. And it’s something that’s happening across all industries, including restaurants.
Automation is a key part of digital transformation. It involves using technology to automate manual tasks and processes. This can free up time for employees to focus on more value-added activities. And it can improve accuracy and efficiency while reducing costs.
There are many different types of automation that can be used in the restaurant industry. For example, online ordering systems can automate the process of taking orders from customers and sending them to the kitchen for preparation. These systems can also be used to track inventory levels and generate reports on sales and customer preferences.
Digital transformation is changing the way restaurants operate. And automation is playing a big role in that change.
Examples of successful restaurant order management systems
There are many examples of successful restaurant order management systems. One well-known example is the system developed by the company Zonal. This system is used by over 30,000 restaurants worldwide and helps them to manage their orders more effectively. Another example is the Order Management System (OMS) developed by the company Dinerware.
This system is used by over 8,000 restaurants in North America and helps them to streamline their operations and improve customer service.
Challenges faced with the transition from paper to digital
As the restaurant industry has shifted from paper to digital ordering systems, there have been a few challenges that have arisen. One of the biggest challenges is getting all employees on board with using the new system.
With any new system, there is always a learning curve, and it can be difficult to get everyone up to speed. Additionally, restaurants have to be careful not to lose the personal touch that can come with paper menus and ordering. It’s important to make sure that customers still feel like they are being taken care of, even if the process is now digital.
Blink Restaurant Order Management Systems
The first restaurant order management system was created in the early 1990s. It was a simple software program that allowed restaurants to take and track orders electronically. This system was quickly replaced by more sophisticated systems that could handle multiple orders at once, track inventory, and provide customers with real-time updates on their order status.
Today, there are many different types of restaurant order management systems available on the market. Some are cloud-based, while others are installed locally on a server. Some systems are designed for small businesses, while others are made for enterprise-level operations.
No matter what type of restaurant you operate, there is an order management system out there that can help you run your business more efficiently.
Conclusion
Blink have observed how restaurant order management systems have evolved from paper to digital over the years. We’ve looked at the various types available and explored their benefits, as well as some of the challenges that come along with implementing a new system.
It is clear that technology has revolutionized the way restaurants take orders and manage tables, making it easier for staff to be more efficient and customers to get what they want faster. Switching from paper-based processes can be daunting but these systems are worth considering if you want your restaurant business to stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.
