Whether on the restaurant floor or in the back office, multi-device sync allows restaurant staff to switch between devices and stay on top of guest services. Generally, our guide covers everything you need to know.
Ever noticed team members lagging behind on information about guests? Using multi-device sync, reach staff on every screen and transform your restaurant’s workflow today. Contact us and learn how to make the most of its features.
Multi-device Sync — What Is It?
This is an online connection between devices, allowing users instant access to the features on a restaurant application. Users can access the app at the same time, or make things happen at the same time, including:
- Read and reply to guest messages
- View waitlist and digital calendar with reservations
- Manage queues with ease, using in-app techniques to seat more guests
- Make and manage new reservations, updating for all users
- Receive and respond to guest notifications, such as a drinks pre order
The power of technology enables all platforms and devices from various brands/providers to use the system synchronously. The system experience starts on either a device (smartphone, tablet) or restaurant computer, which connect with an account on the app system, including functionality for
- Android devices
- All web browsers
- Apps installed on iOS devices
As such, the internet enables synchronisation to operate. Consider for instance a staff member processing a customer booking, digitally inputting key details such as name, phone number, and date. Once completed, the system will automatically update the reservations calendar for all other users — in an instant. This applies to all logged-in users, at once on smartphone, tablet, and desktop. Sync, in short, ensures a digital system runs together correctly.
What is Cloud Technology?
A digital cloud refers to a repository of software on the internet that can be accessed without installation on a device or personal computer. Like so, the cloud’s presence online enables devices to stay in sync via a constant, stable connection.
Cloud technology requires a good-quality internet connection to operate. Historically, restaurants relied on local systems, dependent on individual devices such as a computer at a host stand. Different broadband technologies using both wireless and mobile connections are readily available — check current information on the telecoms industry to ensure your restaurant receives reliable, high-speed digital connectivity.
Alternatively, smartphone data plans — a growing figure, with an estimated 4.32 billion mobile internet users recorded in 2021 — permit simultaneous access to a restaurant system, providing wide usage to an entire restaurant team. In other words, it’s far better than a single database or pen-and-paper guestbook, which only allows one staff member to work at one time.
Real-Time Connectivity is Important
With multi-device sync in place, it takes milliseconds to update a device connected to the cloud throughout the wider network. This is real-time connectivity.
With new information comes immediate updates — a process restaurant staff are probably already accustomed to using other internet-based apps.
Real-time processes are vital for a system to work properly. Consider the frustration that arises when an everyday digital process isn’t instant. An airline booking for example may experience a delay when sending a confirmation via email or text. This is because airlines typically have to overbook seats and ensure that accepting a passenger is viable.
Compare this to digital processes that provide instant feedback. Google Maps for instance provides real-time searches and updates on public services available in an area, such as transport links. This is paramount to the availability of its services. Otherwise Google Maps simply wouldn’t be useful for users.
When using device synchronisation, all restaurant staff can:
- Receive instant guest information
- Access immediate statuses on table availability
- Seat customers promptly
- Contact customers via real-time messaging services like SMS and WhatsApp
- Attend to customer needs in a timely fashion
Realtime services battle against unnecessary delays that stem from slower digital management. Let’s look at a breakdown of eligible devices.
System Types
Real-time features are limited to select restaurant apps and services. Restaurant technology providers offer systems based on three accessibility options.
1. Device Accessibility
Some apps are restricted to either
- Web accessibility via a desktop computer
- App accessibility via a smartphone or tablet
This means that a restaurant can manage both guest reservations and a digital waitlist from one type of device.
However, this can be a let-down for some restaurant owners as it restricts their workflow. If using a system restricted to a computer, for example, staff cannot move around the restaurant during service — they have to stay in one place. Likewise, if using a system restricted to handheld devices, managers cannot use the system when on a computer, for example, when checking other information on a desktop (emails, documents).
2. Platform Accessibility
Due to various limitations, some app developers build their apps and design them for one system only. This means that an app available on Apple’s iOS app store may not be available for Android devices. Unfortunately, these systems are missing out on a huge user base. Statista has recorded that over 85 per cent of smartphone users use Android systems.
3. Web Accessibility
Apps available via websites are great because they allow any user with log-in details to use a system from any device with internet connection. This is called cross-platform compatibility. However, when an app company restricts its services to a website, it misses out on all the advantages of a native app — one that users download onto their smartphone, the faster, more efficient option for restaurant staff.
What if the Native App User is Offline?
Not to worry — for this ties into the benefits associated with a native app, one downloaded onto a device.
Native apps are designed to cope with offline functions. Users can still perform feature-related jobs such as
- Add guests to a waitlist
- Add and edit reservations
- Read saved data, such as guest messages, table inventory, and guest orders
Losing connection to the internet is no problem. In terms of nitty-gritty functions, a native app’s code enables users to use the app offline, which then updates when it reconnects to the cloud.
Unlike a website which requires constant reloads when in use, users can keep working on any mobile app without having to worry about the presence of WiFi. This is especially helpful for large restaurants, for example, where a wireless connection may not be available everywhere on the premises.
Device Sync is the Best of Both
Carbonara App has cross-platform functionality to give restaurants the best of both web and native app functionality.
The app uses a Google toolkit to enable web, mobile, and desktop use, all from a single database: the cloud. Putting the user’s needs first, restaurant staff can access the app from
- Web browsers
- iOS devices (iPhone, iPad)
- Android smartphones
With multi-device sync, you can work with Carbonara App from anywhere. This is digital technology that allows management staff to multi-task — for example:
- Update the team from the restaurant floor
- Access the system from the back-of-house office, or even from home
- View new information on customer reservations while out picking supplies.
Carbonara App has helped flexible restaurant operators manage their businesses when off-site, attending to duties elsewhere. Read about how one restaurant owner split between two locations in Italy was able to use Carbonara App to help manage tables remotely.
