NCR Corporation introduced NCR Aloha Mobile, an innovative extension of the NCR Aloha Table Service point-of-sale (POS) software, on March 25. Aloha Mobile allows restaurants to easily and securely deploy mobile technology for tableside ordering and payment. In addition, this allows for an increase in speed of service and order accuracy, thereby improving guest satisfaction while boosting sales and profits.
“As the leader in hospitality technology, we want to make everyday easier for restaurant operators with the best possible software solutions for their business to help increase revenues and bottom line results. NCR Aloha Mobile is the newest way we do that,” says Kim Eaton, senior vice president and general manager, NCR Hospitality. “Today, NCR is extending the proven Aloha platform with a mobile software solution, adding significant value to our customers’ new and existing investments.”
Aloha Mobile is comprehensive, feature-rich software that gives servers full mobile access to many of the robust features of the Aloha POS. The user interface (UI) for Aloha Mobile mirrors the well-known UI of the Aloha POS software. This makes it fast and easy for restaurants to train servers and have them start taking tableside orders and payments immediately and very efficiently. Further, Aloha Mobile provides servers this capability across many mobile hardware platforms, including the latest generation of NCR Orderman devices as well as Apple iOS devices like the iPad, iPad Mini, iPhone, and iPod touch.
“Aloha Mobile has delivered great results for my business and ultimately my customers,” says Rusty Winkstern, owner of el Monumento in Georgetown, Texas. “My servers are using Aloha Mobile on an NCR Orderman device to place orders and receive payment at the table as well as to cover larger sections without sacrificing customer service. It is integrated seamlessly into my existing Aloha system and we’ve seen marked improvements across the board in terms of number of table turns, employee tips, and customer satisfaction. It’s the right mobile solution for us and I couldn’t envision using anything else.”
Many other operators expect similar benefits. According to Hospitality Technology Magazine’s 14th Annual Restaurant Technology Study, the acceptance of handheld POS is rapidly increasing. The study showed that the number of restaurant companies that see value in investing in wireless handheld POS terminals has increased to 80 percent in 2012, up from 20 percent just three years ago. Moreover, nearly one-third of operators surveyed believe wireless POS terminals help serve guests more quickly and 62 percent state a wireless handheld POS increases guest satisfaction.
Commercially available in the U.S. beginning in 2012, the Orderman handheld, when operating with Aloha Mobile, is a secure PA-DSS validated solution that works without any changes to a restaurant’s existing credit card processing.
Aloha Mobile is now available on the Orderman device for table service operators throughout the United States and Canada. The software will be available on iOS devices later this year, giving restaurant operators a range of choices in how they deploy mobile technology to best meet their needs.
