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Why Hospitality Operations Need a Cloud-Based POS System

Why Modern Hospitality Operations Need a Cloud-Based POS System

Today’s diners and patrons expect efficient, seamless service that goes beyond the traditional setup of fixed terminals and slow, manual processes. With the rise of mobile technology and the increasing need for real-time data access, hospitality venues are turning to cloud-based POS systems to address these demands. More than just a transaction tool, a cloud-based POS system is an essential part of a modernized, responsive operation.

Gone are the days when businesses could rely on fixed, on-site terminals to meet the needs of their guests. Cloud-based POS systems have transformed what was once a static process into a dynamic, flexible solution that can grow and adapt with the business. 

Enhanced Mobility and Service Flexibility

In a hospitality environment, the ability to serve guests efficiently and promptly is crucial. Traditional POS systems, often limited by fixed terminals, restrict where and how staff can engage with guests. Cloud-based POS systems, like GoTab, offer the mobility and flexibility needed to deliver service anywhere, anytime. From poolside drink orders to tableside checkouts, cloud-based POS allows staff to move freely through the venue, meeting guests where they are and enhancing their experience in real time.

This mobility has become especially valuable as hospitality operations grow more dynamic and varied. A cloud-based POS can accommodate everything from pop-up dining events to outdoor service areas with minimal setup. By allowing for quick, flexible service configurations in the form of Handheld POS and Tablet POS Devices, these systems empower staff to respond effortlessly to fluctuating guest demands, seasonal events, and other unique operational needs. With GoTab’s IOS, Android, and Windows compatibility, any internet enabled device can be turned into a POS system for seamless flexibility.

As a result, hospitality operators can improve table turnover rates, elevate guest satisfaction, and ultimately increase revenue. 

Real-Time Data for Informed Decision-Making

Having instant access to performance insights can make all the difference in managing and growing a hospitality business. Unlike traditional POS systems that rely on on-site servers and manual data backups, cloud-based POS systems offer real-time access to data, allowing managers to view key metrics from anywhere with an internet connection. This immediacy enables better, data-backed decision-making, both on-site and remotely.

Such systems empower managers with insights into sales trends, inventory levels, and staff performance on a daily or even hourly basis. By analyzing these data points, hospitality operators can make well-informed decisions that streamline operations and reduce costs. Real-time data helps ensure that popular menu items are always stocked, staffing schedules align with peak demand, and promotional efforts are targeted and effective. With the ability to make adjustments based on real-time information, hospitality managers can respond quickly to challenges, refine their offerings, and optimize overall service.

With GoTab’s Manager App, operators can access, adjust, and see feedback in real time from any internet enabled device

Seamless Integration with Digital Ecosystems

As hospitality operations increasingly rely on a network of digital tools, from reservation platforms to kitchen display systems, integration is vital. For venues that offer online reservations, delivery options, loyalty programs, or accounting and tipping integrations, a POS  like GoTab can centralize these functions, allowing for a smooth, unified experience for both guests and staff.

This integration goes beyond improving guest convenience; it streamlines back-of-house operations by eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing errors that come from juggling multiple systems. For instance, a POS that integrates with inventory management software can automatically update stock levels as items are sold, helping to prevent shortages and ensuring that staff always know which items are available to recommend.

Furthermore, integrated systems enable enhanced reporting capabilities, as data from various sources can be aggregated into one platform. This comprehensive view of operations enables hospitality managers to monitor everything from sales performance to kitchen efficiency, ensuring that each area of the business is working in sync. 

Scalability for Growing Businesses

As hospitality businesses expand, whether by adding new locations or scaling up services, their operational needs become more complex. A cloud-based POS system is inherently scalable, designed to grow alongside the business with minimal disruptions. Adding new devices, configuring additional locations, or integrating new services is easier with a cloud-based solution compared to traditional systems that require extensive hardware upgrades and complex installations.

This scalability is especially valuable for businesses with seasonal fluctuations or those that frequently host large events, as cloud-based systems can be adapted to meet increased demand quickly and cost-effectively. Hospitality operators can adjust service configurations, add mobile devices for temporary setups, and even expand to multiple sites without the need for major upfront investments. This flexibility ensures that hospitality businesses can maintain high service standards as they grow, providing a consistent, reliable guest experience.

For hospitality operators looking to stay ahead in a dynamic market, a cloud-based POS isn’t just an upgrade—it’s an essential investment in the future of their business.

Explore GoTab's POS solutions to learn more

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Situated “in the heart of it all, yet tranquil enough to make you feel away from it all too,” The Limelight Hotel Snowmass offers 99 hotel rooms and 11 residences, as well as footsteps-to-gondola access in winter and summer — right in the middle of Snowmass Base Village.

The Situation

Especially over the last few years, the Limelight Hotels IT team had witnessed a significant shift to contactless technology in the hospitality industry. After evaluating friction points in the guest journey, aligning with modern technology platforms in their restaurant was determined to be an effective way to offer elevated contactless dining experiences to their guests while also evolving their technology platforms to continue to support long-term company goals. Limelight Hotel partnered with GoTab to provide an enhanced on-demand dining experience on par with the brand’s reputation for exceptional guest service.

The Solution

Reducing Staff Touch Points Without Sacrificing Guest Experience

Guests are now able to begin a tab from their room or the property’s restaurant by scanning a QR code, texting a link to friends or family members on the ski slope to add in their orders, then meeting up together at the patio or lodge to enjoy their meal and après ski festivities without interruption. By streamlining tasks like inputting orders and processing payments, this eliminates friction for hotel staff and allows them to focus on delivering renowned guest service for a memorable experience. Since partnering with GoTab, Limelight Snowmass has consistently seen higher check averages and sales.

“We found the Point of Sale platforms we were looking at offered the guest and staff limited opportunities to further reduce touch points or improve the traditional restaurant experience. The GoTab platform enabled the guest to take an active role over the flow of their experience while simultaneously reducing touch points and further streamlining restaurant operations.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

According to the Limelight Hotels team, some of the other platforms that were evaluated were either missing some of the pieces they were looking for, had weak customer support models, or had little willingness to develop integrations to existing hotel platforms already in place. To that end, GoTab integrated with cloud-based platform, Infor. Together, GoTab and Infor are providing dynamic solutions to support central, efficient service across hotel amenities and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

“Previously, guests would call down to the restaurant to begin an order from their room or while they were out enjoying the ski slopes. Using GoTab, guests can now place orders from anywhere on the resort, giving them the on-demand service they want without interrupting their day. GoTab empowers us to give control to the guest, reducing touch points and streamlining overall restaurant operations, making Limelight Hotel the resort of choice for Snowmass.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

Since introducing GoTab, The Limelight Hotel has seen a consistent level of upsells and items sold per check resulting in additional revenue capture. They have been able to maintain service levels in their restaurants during periods when there was reduced staffing available without significantly diminishing the guest experience.

The Benefits

Eliminate Phone Orders – Take Orders from the Slopes. Guests can start a tab from their room or on the mountain without interrupting the flow of their day.

Future-Proofed Technologies – Delivering elevated contactless ordering via integration with the Infor hotel management platform.

Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

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