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Follow on Google News | Latest technology enables new game-changing food service conceptCompass Group UK & Ireland has launched its new 24 self-service workplace catering concept. Driven by advanced POS software from MCR and powered by J2 hardware, the concept’s enabler is smart technology to manage payments and customer loyalty.
By: AURES Technologies Ltd Nicola Morris, Managing Director of 24 commented: “There’s been a need for a revolution in workplace catering for some time to address longer working hours and greater employee diversity and preferences. Our new solution appeals to everyone, from fussy eaters to night owls. 24 can be a stand-alone, employee self-service facility or can complement a main workplace restaurant out-of-hours and for the majority of our clients, 24 is completely free.” Matthew Gatter, Managing Director of solutions company MCR Systems explains: “We have customised our technology to run 24. This comprises our SymPOS solution at the front-end, which we’ve enhanced with cashless payment functionality, which feeds into our Symphony Enterprise in the back-office and integrates with 24’s ERP system, SAP.” He continues: “We’ve embedded the latest touchscreen hardware, J2 225 EPoS terminals, into the purpose-made kiosk shells together with a scanner, contactless card reader and receipt printer. The whole operation can go live in less than 24 hours. Knowing reliability is critical, we recommended the J2 225 with its modern, slim design.” Much thought was given to the ergonomics of selecting and paying for purchases says Morris: “The MCR system flow is intuitive and the J2 touchscreens are very natural to use. The design and colour of the bright LED screens guide customers to scan or select and then pay for their items. This is usually via a contactless 24 card onto which they’ve already loaded funds, or an alternative is to use a contactless debit card. Both card processes are integrated within our POS solution but we advocate use of the 24 card as it enables us to build a relationship with the customer, capture valuable sales data and drive value.” The 24 management team makes use of daily and weekly reports from MCR’s portfolio. Symphony generates information for sales and financial analysis, some of which is posted into 24’s data warehouse. “We have web-based access to real-time data to give us a constant snapshot of business trading,” says Nicola Morris. Key to the overall concept is customising the product to reflect the client demographic and keeping it refreshed, and then personalising engagement to help drive loyalty. 24 makes the system fun and convenient to use, and builds loyalty through interaction and promotions. Helen Frost, Portfolio Manager for Compass Group UK and Ireland said: “We’re making full use of the loyalty functions of SymPOS. They enable us to develop a customer conversation through card registration, asking for feedback, refreshing the products and providing tailored offers.” The 24 card loading website was created by MCR. Customers can use it to check their transaction history and to load funds onto their cards (including rule-based auto-top-ups such as adding funds when the balance drops below a certain sum).” States Matthew Gatter: “We’ve developed multi-platform access to the website - via smartphones, the web app, from a desktop PC or from a tablet PC. Customers use the site to download digital vouchers based on products they’ve bought and the points they’ve earned.” Nicola Morris says: “It’s very important the technology can deliver our end goal. With an unmanned payment solution, the system has to be intuitive for use without training.” “We wanted something future-proof,” About the AURES Group and AURES Technologies Ltd – www.aures.com About MCR Systems – www.mcr-systems.com About 24 – www.thisis24.co.uk About Compass Group UK & Ireland - www.compass- End
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