Inamo restaurant in London - Essay Example

? and Section # of Contents Page Introduction 3 2. Literature   4 2 Ordering Online 4 4. Findings 4.1 Innovative ideas 6 4.2 Automated experience 7 4.3 Technology Thrust 8 4.4 Technical Specifications 8 4.5 System Management 9 5. Conclusion and Future Research 10 REFERENCES 11 INTRODUCTION Modern world pace has now started to dictate every walk of life that even includes the time we are not working. Work has taken primarily the majority of our time in the week. Therefore the cooling time of the human machinery has been taken up by business individuals calling it the restaurant and catering industry. Many high rise and catchy building surface everyday offering food and entertainment for the consumers which are deprived of a cool off time at home due to their busy schedules. Therefore, generating an air of competition among rivals and between rival food joints. Each and every food providing facility incorporates methods to stand aloof of the rest of the bunch which is a major factor contributing towards the success and profit of the business. Technology as it stands in the present time is the lone factor which can propel any business to the stars or to the ground, from the lack of it. Similarly new fashion modern eat-out places are integrating technology with their restaurants to enable an environment for the consumer that is self pulling in its own manner. The hospitality industry inspired by the James Bond’s technology stunts have entered into the technology race, just like the Russian American space race in the early 60’s. The only difference, there are many moons that can be conquered. This report is about a restaurant in London which is state of the art in technology, from booking online to selecting menu from touch screens. Details will be discussed later in the report to enlighten the common user of the powers of technology in any field. From always-on access to guest reservation systems to personalized services delivered where and when on the wish of the customer, the pressure on companies to upgrade themselves on the technology front is ever so growing (White, 2005). LITERATURE The amount of information on technology is scattered like star studded sky in a cool breezy night on the internet. It has a vast application and summing all in a mere thousand words will be injustice to the technology being employed in the current hospitality industry. The first modern technology tool that INAMO restaurant implies is the online reservation system through the internet. This can be done over the internet from the phone as well, while you are driving towards the restaurant. The E-reservation system and E-ordering system is a breakthrough in the modern hospitality business. Ordering Online The inamo restaurant website gives a very interactive look while selecting of the dishes and table reservation. According to a recent survey, a larger percentage of new entrepreneurs employ internet to enhance their business appeal (McKendric,1999). These internet applications, like the e-ordering system has great interest for researchers and developers as the information sharing is the core part of the business operation. Given the competition from old-school businesses and their firm hold on the market, an e-business can only survive if it provides the following facility to the customer: reduced prices, broader selection bracket, better options and better services (Vassos, 1996). All these mentioned qualities are available in the form of e-ordering system of the “inamo” restaurant. The wide variety can also be seen in a pictorial view, making it far easier for the customers to choose their food from their comfort of their homes before reaching the place itself. Some services like the actual delivery of food cannot be controlled online; therefore physical presence of the customer is needed in this case in the restaurant. The restaurant implies an interactive menu table for the pleasure of the customer to avoid the fuss of waiter interaction once he gets to his table. This innovative technology will be further discussed in the paper. For the time, let us concentrate on the fact that time based competition to improve customer facilitation has become a major aim for all entrepreneurs. This includes design, planning, processing marketing and the actual product itself (Sue Abdinnour-Helm, 2000). The management part of this facility has to be discussed in detail as it ensures smooth operations and time saving for the business heads to conjure up more profits with similar services provided by actual man power required at the doors of the restaurants. The management can then concentrate on other facilities that have to provide to the customers since the queue waiting and order placing has been done through the internet without the hassle of taking physical orders. This offers a wide variety of thinking decision to be made by the owners as their think tanks can be moved on different lines as once the rush handling is left to the computer and customer to sort out. Furthermore, the automation of reservation system ensures the reliability of customers to return to the restaurant especially when they also have, applicable to the availability, to choose their choice of tables as the seating plan is also available online on the company website. Related to the technology use, it can be concluded that, this can be used as an effective tool for both the benefit of the management and the customers. FINDINGS Every business has a special feature. Be it fast delivery or special bonus packages on different services that are offered. More often than not, a unique feature in your product is the reason of more customers knowing your name and recommending it to others. The “inamo” restaurant employs such a method known as the E-table. This is a ground breaking technology not being used in many restaurants around the world. Each table in the restaurant is an E-table. The features of this table will be discussed in detail in this section. Innovative Idea Innovative technology and the restaurant business combine in the heart of London at the “inamo” restaurant. The tables, known as E-tables are basically computer displays providing an interactive menu and services order display for the customer to enjoy and savior, both at the same time. This computer display is basically projector operated. The projector projects the image of the interactive user interface from above onto the table. The order and services can be requested by clicking on the consequent selection with the help of a circular mouse-pad installed on the table itself for the customer to use. Furthermore, the customer can have a peek at the menu, which is basically in the form of a pictorial view. All the dishes, as on the E-booking menu, are represented by pictures for the ease of the customer while selecting his meal for the evening. It is as simple as a few clicks and you receive the order. You click on the corresponding order and after the waiting time, the waiter delivers your food. There is an added feature which is for the customer so that it is easy for him to pass time while the food is being prepared. The customer can take a sneak-peek at the chef while he is making their order through the chef-cam installed in the kitchen and live feed available for the customer to watch. Interactive online gaming option is also available, for the customers on the same table having the privilege to enjoy a game of chess or virtual tennis while waiting for the food. The human factor is basically being removed from the hospitality industry slowly and gradually. Not a lot time is left when robots will be serving us the food. Still a long time to go but the interactive table is surely a machine replacing at least one waiter per table. Now, fewer amounts of waiters can be used just to reduce man power cost and increase the time management of the whole setup. So, basically “Inamo” is the wave of the future when it comes to restaurants. According to the new contracts signed by the production companies of the E-tables, the tables will be launched in the Pan-Asian belt very soon. This system was developed by “Compurants Ltd” using the projection system from Canon. The current largest seating capacity is of 196 with a plan of enhanced technology to be produced and introduced in the market for a better interactive experience between the customer and the restaurant. The E-table is rapidly making its presence felt in this industry as many restaurants in the world feel the need to acquire this technology. Noel Hunwick the co-founder and COO at Compurants said “After the success of the inamo restaurants we are pleased to be working with the innovative team at the Izkaya Group on their exciting new concept to deliver a special and efficient dining experience” izkaya (2011). Automated Experience Time and again it has been mentioned that innovation and unique presentation of any product sells like a hot item in the market. This theory holds good for this kind of restaurant as well. From the beginning to when a customer logs on to their website to the time he enters the tech-cheesy doors of the restaurant, he is transported rather teleported into another world. This kind of experience is the trademark of success. Innovative technology and the restaurant business combine in the heart of London at the “inamo” restaurant. Simplicity is another factor kept very obvious in this whole technology episode making sure that they do not need one person handling the computer operation for the customers making it even more costly for the management by keeping extra men to handle the software. Technology Thrust The most important question to be asked while employing technology in any business is the amount of profit that will be generated because anything to do with computers will have a hefty cost. This notion is a big mind changer for the management while reaching to a decision regarding the use of technology in their business. In the case of “inamo” restaurant the e-menu was already tested on various other businesses but the concept of E-tables was a unique one and a considerate amount of risk has to be taken on it. Technology is on the go every day, therefore forecasting of any technology related product is very difficult. Keeping all the factors in mind, the developers of this enterprise decided to take a leap of faith after considerate research. The outcome is for all to see; the virtual lines set up on their websites show the amount of traffic the website receives and the amount of customers flocking in for a twenty second century experience. The end product is just not only the success of “inamo” restaurant but also the opening of similar restaurants around the world in the coming fiscal year. Technical Specifications The main technological advancement in the “inamo” restaurant is the E-table ordering system. The technical details are of utmost importance as these systems are only provided by a specific solution provider company. The customers can place orders from an illustration based menu, discover local cafes and also call taxis for their return journey from the restaurant. This table has been invented for the sole purpose of serving clients in a restaurant setting which can accommodate two customers at a time. This table is integrated with a water proof round touch panel and a Bluetooth wireless system. The display on the table is projected through a projector which is placed directly above the table. This projector is connected to the central server. The hardware is housed in specially build housing away from the plain sights so the ambiance is not disturbed. The server is operated in such a manner that it incorporates the following areas: business logic links that define the different modules of the restaurant operation, management control system allowing the management to control operations and a central server that connects the camera and printer in the kitchen with the table. The printer is used to print out the order for the chef for preparing it (E-table, 2009). System Management Any technology has its core known as the software and the system which manages it. Similarly this innovative technology also has its own software management system. The sole purpose of this management system is to make restaurant management easier. The design of the system is such that not a lot of training is required to mange it; a brief on job training procedure is good enough. Some of the features of this system are briefly described. The up gradation of products served, changing of their names and prices can be easily done through this system. The menu packages and special deals can be created and modified with utmost ease. Even if there is some problem with the functionality of the table, instant printouts of the menu can be pointed by using this system. The ambiance and color combination can be easily changed by the help of the software installed in the projection system. Private dining room facility and custom made themes and music selection can be done very easily by the management using the management system incorporated in the E-tables. Suggestions for follow up menu or places to visit can also be edited according to the prevailing situation or festivity, for example Christmas. The customers can always look at the menu being ordered by other members of the group and attendant calling facility is also made available in case there is some confusion in using the interactive menu. A variety of other functions which are predefined as well as downloaded from the internet are available such as cinema location and movie timings.(E-table, 2009). CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH This paper presents the recent development in the hospitality industry related to the infrastructure based on the internet. The case study used to describe the current rise and innovation has been shown here through the example of E-table and E-menu in the “Inamo” restaurant in London. The time is not far away when everything will be atomized and on the finger tips of the customer. This little table is a giant step towards that very dream of an unmanned restaurant, where the customer will have full authority to ask for his required services at any time without any delay. Future recommendation for this type of venture will be surely the addition of social media while dining on the table. Customers reviewing others interest near them in the vicinity and especially those in the restaurant. Internet application will definitely be incorporated in the table, and currently they are being added as this report is being written. A more user friendly interactive system may be established so that old people who are not familiar with the ever changing technology can also learn the magic of technology without any more fuss. It has been repeated time and again that innovation in any form is the key ingredient of any successful business. This is especially in the case of technology where it gives you the cutting edge one is always looking for his business. BIBLIOGRAPHY All menu and restaurant related information accessed from E-table, (2009). Interactive ordering solutions Available from < http://www.e-table-interactive.com/solutions/etable.html>. [20-01-2012] E-table, (2009). Interactive ordering solutions: system management. Available from . [20-01-2012] Izaka, (2011) izkaya takes e-table interactive ordering system to international markets Kasavana, M. (1992) Managing Computers in the Hospitality Industry, American Hotel and Motel Association, East Lansing. McKendric, J. (1999). Internet-based Survey. Available from < www.econoworld.com>. [20-01-2012] Microsoft MapPoint and the Hospitality Industry, White Paper, January 2005 Peacock, M. (1995) Information Technology in the Hospitality Industry, Cassell, London. Sue Abdinnour-Helm, (2000). Time-Based Competition Through Better Customer Service, Production and Inventory Management Journal, Vassos, T. (1996). Strategic Internet Marketing, Journal of End-User Computing, v17, No.4, p.12-15. Wood, R. (1994) Organizational Behaviour for Hospitality Management, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Zuboff, S. (1988) In the Age of the Smart Machine, Heinemann, Oxford. Smith, T. (1994) Does Technology Drive History, The MIT Press, London. Read More