A fully integrated EPOS system provides you with a comprehensive back office and reporting suite capable of handling multiple payment options, including cashless accounts, FSM (free school meal) and bursary funding. With secure, fully integrated contactless Chip & PIN card payments able to accept Apple Pay and Google Pay and an ecommerce solution for online payments, you have a multi sales channel solution ideal for campus operations.
And whilst working with the right EPOS system is a great place to start; integrating self-service points and mobile ordering can take your catering operations to the next level in terms of delivering great customer service.
Semi-attended Self-Service points are a great way to help to reduce queues and can help to turn dead space into useful service areas. It is ideal as an addition point of sale, especially in a ‘grab & go’ outlet. They integrate both hardware and software to produce point-of-sale terminals for a wide variety of businesses, and their uptake is becoming increasingly popular in the hospitality sector.
On campus, self-service points allow customers a speedy and efficient checking out and payment process, perfect for those on campus and looking for ease, especially at peak times. It is a case of bringing together a number of sales channels, both face to face and online that is helping university and college campuses to offer a greater student and staff experience through the adoption of technology.
As shown in the video above, mobile ordering is a great way for staff and students to order ahead of time and collect their food and drink when they want to. Using their own mobile devices users can scan a QR code, or use NFC to access menus, place orders and pay without the need to queue.
When it comes to Further Education settings like colleges and universities, being able to offer tailored promotions to retain students on campus can be a real boost. Having digital rewards in the form of collecting points equivalent to a cash balance or earning rewards such as ‘buy 6 coffees get 1 free’ can boost repeat business. Or a separate campaign along the same lines can help increase sales of any chosen items or category of products.
In addition to the operational advantages and potential to lighten the load on staffing levels, there are other significant benefits too. When we look at self-ordering and putting digital menus in the hands of the customers, we see that in many cases the average order value increases. In some cases, and in some sessions, there can be a 25% to 30% increase in self order average transaction values when compared to face-to-face orders placed at the till or even via table service.