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Own a Restaurant? Get an NFC app and NFC tags with CustomerIn

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July 31st, 2011 at 10:39 PM Filed Under Latest News, Press Release, Videos
Own a Restaurant? Get an NFC app and NFC tags with CustomerIn

Own a restaurant? Get an NFC app and NFC tags with CustomerIn

If you have been interested in NFC tags and NFC apps and you own a restaurant or a chain of eateries, this will be of interest to you. There has been a lot of chatter about uses for NFC tags and NFC apps in the food business, but until now there has been no formalized offerings available for restaurant owners and managers to incorporate NFC efficiencies into the dining experience. However, that has now changed as a company called CustomerIn launches its “connected restaurant app” into the wild.

The connected restaurant app allows a few functions of a dining experience to be managed through NFC tags and a smartphone NFC app that allows customers to receive coupons, browse the restaurant’s menu, call a server to their table and request a bill. Where this use of NFC becomes really powerful is in CustomerIn’s back office software that shows analytics and requested actions in real time that allows the management staff to keep on top of order, requests for bills and problems that may occur. Each NFC tag at each table is unique and identifies which table is requesting service at any time. This prevents customers waiting unnecessarily during busy times and affords management the ability to prioritize their work flows to achieve maximum customer satisfaction. Having the social network check-in feature is also a great way for restaurants to get free advertising on customers’ walls and profiles. Although below we are going to look at ways in which the “connected restaurant app” could be improved, we have to say we really like what CustomerIn has done so far and it shows just how NFC is evolving with the simple use of NFC tags.

Connected Restaurant Dashboard Own a Restaurant? Get an NFC app and NFC tags with CustomerIn

How could the “connected restaurant app” be enhanced and extended

The ”connected restaurant app”  is a great start to what will undoubtedly become a standard way for consumers to interact during dining experiences. We love the way the menu is available via an NFC tag and the way a server can be called. The backend software really adds to how efficient a restaurant can be while not sacrificing quality of service in busy day parts and best of all the ability for the consumer to be in control of their experience is a real and viable way in which NFC provides an opportunity for repeat custom. We love the use of an NFC phone for table availability notifications and to check in at the lobby.

However, on viewing the ”connected restaurant app” we couldn’t help but want more from this admittedly great start in bringing NFC capabilities to a restaurant using NFC tags and a backend software solution. Instead of just having each table tagged, we would have loved to have seen each seat given NFC tags so that service could be provided based on seating arrangements. Allowing customers to place their orders by simply touching their phones against a tag embedded within the table on a per seat basis would also add efficiency and prevent wait staff from keeping check back to ensure customers are ready to order. Allowing ordering through the app would also allow customers to get separate checks if required, or allow one NFC phone to order everything for one bill. Allowing bill payments through the app would also be a great addition to this process. We can also look forward and imagine a server bringing a tablet to the table and customers paying by tapping their phones on the tablet to complete transaction. All of those things would have been nice to see but there were other additions that we would view as vital.

NFC gives the opportunity for restaurants to know who their customers are. We think that restaurant owners would love to be able to see if a customer is new to the establishment or if they are a regular. These analytics would be invaluable in identifying your most loyal customers and instead of just a coupon would allow restaurants to setup loyalty programs to reward customers for return visits. The other aspect that we couldn’t see in the NFC app or indeed part of the NFC tags system was marketing. Having “like us” or “follow us” NFC tags to dish out vouchers and engage with customers would have also been a top priority because permission based marketing is free and can open dialogue with customers that keep them coming back for more rather that paying Groupon or Google Offers for each offer you want to put on, which only enhances customer loyalty.

Although CustomerIn’s product is called an app from what we saw, we think it is in fact a web based app that a customer only connects to when they are on the premises. What would be great to see is an actual white label app where offers could be pushed to customers’ phones wherever they are to help fill up slower day parts and days to help keep them tables a’ turning.  We know we are being picky, and it is great to see the development just how it is, but if our suggestions are added to the product we feel CustomerIn’s product would become a must have application for a lot of restaurants.

Restaurant Floor Plan 300x225 Own a Restaurant? Get an NFC app and NFC tags with CustomerIn

CustomerIn ”connected restaurant app” features

Restaurant features

We have spoken about what we like and what we would love to see added to the “connected restaurant app”. But here is a round up of the features that the app has today.

  • Set up NFC tags throughout your restaurant and connect with your customers and their NFC smartphones.
  • Use NFC tags in table tents, menus or smart posters with your own artwork. Schedule actions to change automatically – show the lunch menu at lunch time.
  • Enable your customers to check-in with their phones; notify them when their table is ready.
  • Reduce wait time by enabling your customers to call for service or ask for their bill with a tap.
  • Consult our analytics to monitor your transactions and make decisions based on real data.
Customer features
  • Enhance your dining experience.
  • Use your phone to view the ingredients, calories content, and general information about your meal.
  • Use your phone to provide feedback and start a dialogue with management. Help management improve its operation and your experience.
  • Browse other reviews and use your phone to write your own review and rate your experience.
  • A new experience at the table.
  • Tap your phone on the menu or table tent to call your server or ask for the bill.
  • View your previous choices, ratings and written reviews. Select your meal using your phone.
  • Use your phone to check for coupons, special deals, view your running tab and pay your bill.
  • Tap your NFC phone on the poster to confirm your reservation and check-in to the establishment.
  • Get your phone buzz you when your table is ready.
  • Use your phone to check-in to Facebook and many of your favorite social networks.
  • While you wait for your table, tap your phone on the poster to check for menu options, order drinks and appetizers.

The video below shows how a customer experience could be enhanced by using the technology.

The company may indeed already be implementing some of these functionalities as we speak and we will watch its development with great interest. If you are in charge of a restaurant, even today the CustomerIn ”connected restaurant app” could help you build loyalty and NFC tags manage your business better.

CustomerIn launches NFC apps and NFC tags for restaurants

[06/21/11] 
A new NFC-enabled solution from CustomerIn Systems and UPM RFID has the potential to reinvent the restaurant dining experience at a time when industry profitability is under siege.

The tool, called the Connected Restaurant, uses NFC technology to strengthen service, providing restaurateurs with a powerful tool for cross-selling items, enhancing the dining experience and accelerating table turnover.

U.S. consumers are eating out more frequently, but spending less on each visit, finds business advisory firm AlixPartners: In 2010, diners said they planned to spend only $11.60 per meal, a 21% decrease from their pre-recession spending of $14.70. This combination of more NFC tags frequent visits and lower spending stresses both restaurant operations and margins. The Connected Restaurant application addresses both of those business challenges by putting customers in the driver’s seat for managing their restaurant experience. When diners enter the restaurant, they NFC tags tap their NFC-enabled phones against an NFC-tagged poster at the front desk, which prompts them to download the Connected Restaurant application. Customers then can use the tool to check in, request a specific table, browse specials, read other diners’ menu reviews and order appetizers and drinks. NFC tags Diners receive a text message when their table is ready. As they peruse menus at their tables, customers can NFC Tags tap their phones against tagged menus or NFC tags table tents to receive detailed information about entrees, such as ingredients, calorie counts and sodium levels. Finally, they can use phones to summon waiters, monitor their orders, request checks and review and pay for bills. In the near future, the Connected Restaurant NFC tags application will also integrate with restaurant reservation and billing systems, providing restaurant owners with a turn-key self-service solution that enables staff to handle more customers.

CustomerIn Systems’ Connected Restaurant application is comprised of NFC-enabled phones, a mobile customer service application, UPM RaceTrack and UPM BullsEye NFC tags by UPM RFID, NFC-enabled marketing items, Wi-Fi, a web-accessible manager’s dashboard and a cloud server. The company is currently seeking a restaurant to pilot the new solution.

In addition, CustomerIn Systems and UPM RFID are teaming on SimpleNFC.com, a website thatNFC tags provides developers with all the tools they need – application software, NFC RFID tags and starter kits of software and tags – to build mobile NFC solutions for different industries. The NFC tags site is slated to launch in July 2011.

About UPM RFID

NFC tags UPM RFID , part of UPM’s Engineered Materials business group, is the world’s number one producer of HF and UHF RFID tags and inlays. UPM RFID has a global service network consisting of factories in China and in the United States and a broad network of sales offices worldwide. The UPM Group employs around 22,000 people and it has production facilities in 16 countries. In 2010, UPM’s sales amounted to EUR 8.9 billion. UPM’s shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Further information is available at www.upmrfid.com.

About CustomerIn Systems, Inc.

CustomerIn Systems helps businesses create better customer experiences using micro-location technology. CustomerIn Systems is a software development company specializing in location-based and enterprise mobile applications. Further information is available at www.customerin.com.

CustomerIn launches NFC apps and NFC tags for your restaurant.

Source: MoreRFID CustomerIn
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Moe-Anderson/100003714543215 Moe Anderson

    Thank you so much for this great article!  I have been thinking about doing this for a long time.  I met with a focus group, and we talked a lot about this.  I think that it would really help my business out a lot.  I think that an app would be great.  I have not thought about doing that before.