Technology management in the hospitality industry requires a balance of leadership skills and a curiosity in innovation. Managing technology is typically a responsibility for the business owner or manager; however, tech solutions have a tendency to relate to the whole staff. 

Technical skills, industry knowledge, and leadership qualities are vital traits of those responsible for technology management. The ability to take proper steps in choosing new solutions is a key aspect, too. 

For instance, it’s best to get a trial before committing to solutions. You also want to make sure that you’re thoroughly aware of the pros and cons of a new solution before investing in it. Regardless of the situation, efficiently managing technology requires a thought and consideration. 

Read on to learn all about technology management and five tips for innovating a business in the hospitality or restaurant industry!

Technology Management

Technology management involves the research, selection, and implementation of innovative solutions. Remember that upon onboarding new resources, it’s necessary to train staff members accordingly. 

Whether you’re onboarding sustainable food tech devices or restaurant tech software to eliminate work overload, the operational workflow is bound to change. With this in mind, be sure that you educate yourself and employees during the acquisition and execution of new technologies. 

5 Tips for Managing Technology In Hospitality

Technology management professionals provide direction, support and leadership within their departments. In the hospitality industry, managing technology can involve numerous tasks. But when you manage technology effectively, you can enable faster communications, process quicker transactions, and enhance the customer experience. 

Since technology management revolves around generating the best results for a business, be sure that your investments are worth every penny. Here are five tips you and your team should implement upon acquiring new technology:

1. Use An All-Inclusive Platform

Technology management can be an overwhelming responsibility at times. One way to combat this issue is to use an all-inclusive platform. 

For many businesses in the hospitality industry, POS platforms can operate multiple tasks simultaneously. Since this product is where all transactions take place, it’s simple to streamline various operations. 

For example, a POS system is where a business can collect customer data regarding sales trends. In turn, POS metrics can help influence effective marketing campaigns. It’s also a valuable tool for hosting a customer rewards program. Not only are earned points stored within the system, but perks can be redeemed in a simple click of a button. 

Efficient technology management begins with smart solutions. The more tasks and information you can store in a single platform, the more valuable it’ll be to the organization. Carefully select an all-inclusive solution that’s right for your business, and experience an increase in productivity. 

2. Forecast Trends

Forecasting trends is vital for the long term health of a business. That’s why businesses like restaurants conduct marketing and inventory forecasting efforts. 

Research technology trends in the hospitality industry on a regular basis to determine where there may be gaps in your strategy. Managing technology requires you to understand when certain solutions should be introduced and revoked. 

Tourism trends and food trends change on a semi-regular basis. Sometimes, these trends can disappear as quickly as they arrive. With this in mind, it’s important that you’re aware of industry changes–especially within a niche market. 

3. Use App Integrations

Similar to an all-inclusive platform, app integrations establish a more seamless experience when managing technology. Once you integrate various apps within a single system, standard processes become much more organized. 

A few examples of app integrations in hospitality include:

• Live order tracking
• Staff scheduling features
• Inventory restock reminders

The ability to access numerous features in one platform will assist technology management processes. Plus, every staff member can have mutual access to its information. 

4. Conduct Technology Audits

Technology and innovation are components of an ever-changing landscape. As new products and features are introduced to their target markets, it might come time to discontinue solutions you currently have in place. 

For instance, some restaurants have switched from tableside devices to QR codes. In doing so, many eateries are now encouraging contactless processes more than ever. 

We recommend that business owners conduct annual technology audits to reevaluate their strategy. At this time, it’s also beneficial to communicate with your tech providers to learn about what’s new. In the event that there’s an opportunity for a brand new product, this would be an ideal time to shop around. 

5. Track Results

One of the most important steps one can take after making an investment is tracking results. No matter what kind of tech solutions you choose to onboard, confirming their effects on your business is crucial. 

Plus, technology software can cost a lot of money. As a business owner, you want to make sure that it’s generating a profitable return on investment (ROI). The ROI meaning refers to the amount of revenue generated vs the amount of funds spent on the initiative. 

Want to hear the best part? Technology usually includes accurate and simple ways to gather data analytics. For instance a POS system can present you with numerous consumer data metrics that can guide creative marketing strategies.

Or, consider how every hospitality business can benefit from an order management platform. After utilizing this kind of technology for a while, you’ll want to uncover any changes regarding your inventory spending patterns. No matter which metrics you choose to track, efficient technology management will help you do so with ease. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Technology Management

Hospitality personnel will become experts in technology management once they onboard a solution for their business. In the meantime, let’s discuss some more of the nitty gritty details about managing technology.

Why Is Managing Technology Important?

Managing technology is important, as it involves solutions that promote seamless operations and productivity. Technology has the potential to completely innovate a business model. So, whoever is responsible for managing solutions has the ability to influence operations.

What Is the Process of Managing Technology?

The process of managing technology serves as a systematic checklist for knowing which activities to onboard and remove. The process is usually broken down into a list, such as the following: 

• Identification: Before you can invest in tech solutions, you need to identify where there’s a need for them. 
• Selection: At this point, select the technologies that you will be adding to your business. 
• Acquisition: After you reflect on your budget and financial projections, it’s time to invest in new tech solutions. 
• Implementation: Once you onboard new solutions, it’s time to train the whole staff. Schedule demos and retrieve onboarding materials to make the transition seamless. 

What Are the Three Levels of Technology Management?

The three levels of technology management are:

1. Macro-level 
2. Industry, niche, or business-level
3. Project-level

What Is An Example of Managing Technology?

An example of managing technology would be if a restaurant decides that instead of using a tablet for every delivery provider, they opt for one all-inclusive platform. Managing technology is all about finding ways to simplify business processes, so it can look quite different from one business to another. 

What Are the Key Concepts of Technology Management?

Five key concepts of technology management include:

1. Forecasting technology 
2. Building a tech-oriented strategy 
3. Technology acquisition
4. Conducting technology audits 
5. Innovating a space with technology

Conclusion

When you onboard innovative restaurant technology solutions with Revolution Ordering, we ensure that you’re equipped with all the tools necessary to succeed. Our goal is to help you become a more engaging and profitable brand, while streamlining standard operating procedures. From unique features to straightforward training materials, we’ve got you covered! Book a demo today to learn more!