Published • 20 Jun 2018
ReadyTouch is our dining point-of-sale technology powerhouse. Operators are enjoying the upgraded functionality and versatility of the system and end users are loving the improved service and aesthetics of their cafeteria.
As ReadyTouch has gained in popularity, we've received many inquiries about ReadyTouch and how it fits within the Convenience Services industry. We reached out to our Account Executive Manager, Jim Versical, to discuss how ReadyTouch is improving operations and changing the future of the foodservice technology industry.
Jim has been with 365 for more than six years, has more than 10 years of experience managing customer and business relationships, and he's one of our ReadyTouch experts. Here's what he had to say.
What type of location is ReadyTouch designed for?
ReadyTouch can be used in a variety of foodservice and market operations! We commonly see ReadyTouch installed in cafés, convenience, and retail situations. The flexibility of ReadyTouch software coupled with the al la carte hardware options allows ReadyTouch to be used in a variety of settings and industries.
What do operators gain from implementing ReadyTouch?
Operators benefit greatly from ReadyTouch. Our ReadyFlex model toggles between cashier service and self-checkout. During the day, you can have a cashier there taking payments. When the cashier leaves for the day, they can put the device in self-checkout mode, allowing operators to capture sales that were once missed. ReadyFlex can also accomplish the same concept for specific meal periods. For example, you could operate a ReadyFlex with a cashier during peak meal periods and later operate as a self-checkout kiosk during non-peak periods.
Other operators have seen an increase in sales with our ReadyOrder model. ReadyOrder allows customers to order and customize prepared items from the order station. Allowing operators to customize their orders through an order screen leads to additional revenue through premium add-ons.
At the very least, operators can expect to see an increase in productivity and an overall upgrade in POS functionality.
How does ReadyTouch fit within the 365 Connected CampusSM?
ReadyTouch is the centerpiece of the Connected Campus. On-site foodservice has traditionally been used to increase efficiency and boost employee morale (keeping employees well fed and close to their desk). When micro markets emerged several years ago, many operators saw these concepts (Café vs. micro market) as competing ideas, instead of being complementary.
With the emergence of 365’s Connected Campus, we’re seeing more and more hybrid cafés where operators are blurring the lines between traditional foodservice and micro markets.
365’s Global Market Account (GMA) system also allows consumers to use their pre-paid account at any of our devices, regardless of the operator. This is especially great for operators that may share an account with another vendor that is already using our technology.
What has been the overall customer response to ReadyTouch?
The response to ReadyTouch has been extremely positive. Customers find the user interface intuitive and very easy to use, while operators are reaping the benefits of lower labor costs, customer loyalty and real-time reporting. Foodservice has always been a fast-paced environment; our operators love that they can change prices, add new menu items and pull reports in real-time via our ADM website.
After attending the NRA show for the first time, how do you see the future of self-service technology in the foodservice industry?
Attending NRA this year was confirmation that 365 is continuing to move in the right direction by focusing on self-checkout/self-service foodservice and markets for the past decade. Since our inception, self-checkout/self-service has now crept into our everyday lives and was clearly a hot topic of discussion with technology providers throughout the show. (Side note—I haven’t been inside a bank in five-plus years thanks to ATM’s and mobile banking).
I predict we’ll continue to see rapid innovations in self-service technology over the next few years which will be driven largely by enhancements in mobile applications, beacon technology, and Artificial Intelligence. Technology will be used more and more to improve efficiencies and engage clients on a more targeted level. Predictive ordering and Just-In-Time Meal Preparation are just a few of the other areas where we’ll see technology driving increased operational efficiencies.
READY TO ORDER?
