Top POS Predictions for 2017
“Windows will no longer be the number one operating system in the market, as multiple operating systems are being offered to allow greater flexibility to consumers. Data collection will be a bigger selling point for consumers, not only to track sales and inventory, but also to manage shifts and training, as well as deploy customer loyalty programs.” — Bematech
“We will see increasing configuration flexibility to adapt to more fluid layouts in a hyper-channel oriented world, smaller counter footprints, more intensive future-proofing and increased value.” — Fujitsu America, Inc.
“Major restaurant chains will continue to adopt online ordering and line-busting technology and POS hardware will do a better job of connecting wirelessly to each other (Internet of Things) and to mobile (smartphone and tablet) devices. It will also integrate with sensors, cameras and video monitors to provide smart advertising to customers based on environment and purchasing trends.” — Epson
“A lot of the new requests for hardware are around supporting initiatives for increasing customer engagement. These come in the form of minimizing the barrier for traditional POS, installing kiosks of varying sizes and form factors, mobility solutions, and customer-facing screens on the POS for supporting both touch and non-touch versions.”
— Par Technology Corp.
“In the end, hardware is simply the platform for software and consumer omnichannel demands. The rise in mobile payments and the EMV mandate will prod hospitality to upgrade legacy POS systems because of the need for security compliance and to accept more payment options. Tablets, smartphones, software- (SaaS) or POS-as-a-service models, and cloud-based POS will continue to drive the need for POS hardware to adapt to new IT and consumer interaction.” — Posiflex
“POS hardware will expand connectivity in keeping with the IOT revolution, so operators will be able to provide a more personalized experience to customers at checkout.” — Toshiba
“There will be increased investments in WiFi, location-based services (LBS), mobile computers and data capture solutions as more consumers use their smartphones to engage in mobile ordering and loyalty programs for personalized offers. In addition, businesses will have an increased need for visibility in automating food safety processes.” — Zebra
This article talks about the capabilities of a PMS in the coming generation since being implemented thirty years ago. Tina Stehle that PMS will no longer be about seamless communication and integrated services. PMS will be used to 'capture all guest events, information, systems will be able to predict patterns such as spending and preferences as well as evolve the property's loyalty programs and VIP management.' Advancements in Hospitality today are exhibiting these qualities already. For instance, The Intelligent Room, which keeps track of a guest's uses and preferences. Once every business in the hospitality industry gets linked into this all inclusive, ease of access PMS, there will truly be a seamless integration that makes a guest's travel and accommodations easy and incredibly comfortable. However, Stehle says that 'the web will continue to be a major influence' on the changes made to the way PMS works and what it is able to do. The emergence of Cloud-Based PMS proves her point. The issue here is that what if the internet crashes? This question should be addressed now, rather than business relishing the cut in costs, the advancements with the web brings.
