When opening a restaurant or a similar establishment, you’re likely not doing it for the technology. However, there are a lot of restaurant technologies that improve restaurant operations and can streamline the process while also leading you to success. This includes cloud computing technology.
The restaurant industry is dynamic and always changing. In fact, one of the latest restaurant industry trends includes restaurant technology such as cloud technology.
Cloud computing has been around for quite some time and restaurants are starting to adopt these systems to streamline operations. This blog post covers cloud computing definition and answers the question, “What is cloud computing?”
Cloud Computing - What Is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing refers to the process of hosting services over the internet instead of on computer hard drives.
These services typically consist of three categories including:
- Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
- Software as a service (SaaS)
- Platform as a service (PaaS)
The process of cloud computing allows clients to use different devices to access data and cloud applications. This is possible over the internet through remote services, computers, and databases. The back end of cloud technology acts as a repository and stores data to be accessed by the front end.
A central server manages the communication between the front and back ends while relying on specific protocols to facilitate the exchange of information. Cloud computing relies on automation and virtualization technologies.
Automation capabilities allow users to access self-service resources, connect with services, and delegate workloads without any kind of direct intervention. Virtualization makes it possible to provide services and cloud systems to logical entities that users can utilize and request when necessary.
Key Takeaway: Cloud computing technology can improve business operations within the restaurant industry by providing speed, accessibility, and flexibility.
5 Advantages of Cloud Computing in Restaurants
Cloud computing applications provide users with accessibility, speed, and flexibility. Aside from this, there are other advantages to cloud computing software that restaurants can use.
Five advantages of cloud computing in restaurants includes:
1. Easy Access to Data
Cloud-based applications, such as a restaurant POS system, allow users to centralize data and access it from a single platform. It also provides opportunities to connect other aspects of their business such as the POS system with the account and payroll systems.
These connections make it possible to quickly and easily obtain insights such as customer information, transaction history, and sales data. Even if the business goes offline, critical functions will still be operational thanks to the cloud-based platform.
2. Better Payment Solutions
These days there are more payment methods available than ever before. They include Apple Pay, PayPal, Google Wallet, and Square. One similarity between them is that they process transactions through the cloud.
Cloud transactions are convenient because they enable customers to pay how they want. They also are quick to process for the staff and provide better insights regarding each transaction.
These payments are processed through encrypted networks which makes them secure. It’s possible to combine mobile payment processing with mobile point of sale systems in order to eliminate computers, workstations, and servers.
3. Enhanced Customer Experiences
Modern cloud computing technology can integrate with restaurant equipment including smartphones and tablets. This makes it possible to increase the efficiency and the speed of front of house services.
Cloud systems can also integrate with a restaurant loyalty program. This way, you can get insights regarding customer buying habits to improve the overall customer experience. Restaurants can improve customer experiences through birthday specials, dietary requirements, and other customer preferences.
4. Quality Control
A positive customer experience can create loyalty. However, a single bad experience can ruin your reputation as a business. This can make it difficult to control your business. Cloud-based solutions can provide you with an overall view to manage restaurant operations.
With such systems, you can update menu items, inventory orders, and pricing. This will help you control your business and maintain consistency to keep your customers happy.
Cloud computing technology makes it possible to access restaurant data and systems from remote locations. This will allow you to increase profitability, improve customer service and experiences, and maintain quality control.
5. Utilize AI Technology
Connecting to AI platforms is simple with cloud computing technology. This will provide you with insights such as how many customers you had in a day, how much they consumed, and the average customer spending.
Such insights will help with inventory forecasting and demand planning. AI technology allows you to make faster business decisions such as setting up reminders to re-order inventory and receive daily metric summaries. This is also possible when you set up a reorder point.
3 Types of Cloud Computing
Not all cloud computing systems are the same, and they might not all be the right choice for you and your business. There are different types, models, and services to choose from in order to get the right solutions for your business.
It’s important to determine the type of cloud computing architecture that you need. Three ways to deploy cloud services are through a public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud.
Public Cloud
Most public clouds are both owned and operated by third-party cloud service providers. They deliver cloud computing resources such as storage and servers over the internet. Public clouds have hardware and software that are owned and managed by cloud providers. They are accessed using a web browser.
Private Cloud
This cloud refers to cloud computing resources that a single business or organization would use. Private clouds can be on the business’s on-site data center whereas some companies may use third-party service providers to host them. The services and infrastructure on private clouds are maintained on private networks.
Hybrid Cloud
A combination of public and private clouds is referred to as a hybrid cloud. They’re bound by technology that allows applications and data to be shared amongst them. This provides businesses with more deployment options and flexibility. It also makes it easier to optimize existing security, infrastructure, and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud Computing in Restaurants
Like with many industries, the restaurant industry is resorting to information technology to help overcome business challenges. One of the latest restaurant technology trends is cloud computing. It helps food businesses acquire and process large data sets without using their own servers.
To learn more about cloud computing restaurants, read the following commonly asked questions:
How Does Cloud Computing Help the Food Industry?
Cloud computing helps the food industry by enabling it to analyze information in order to determine consumer habits, market sizes, consumer targeting, marketing, and product strategies. These insights will also help streamline business operations and determine their success.
What Are the Three Models of Cloud Computing?
The three models of cloud computing include:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
- PaaS (Platform as a Service)
- SaaS (Software as a Service)
These models are also referred to as cloud computing service models.
What Are the Disadvantages of Cloud Computing?
The disadvantages of cloud computing include technical problems. Examples of such problems include network outages, reboots, and downtime. These problems can disable business processes and operations that can damage the business.