News Briefs
- 4/16/2024
Steak n Shake Deploys Biometric Check In
PopID and Steak n Shake announced today that all Steak n Shake locations in the United States now accept PopID Check In (to review favorite orders and loyalty points) and PopPay for checkout. With more than 300 locations, Steak n Shake is the first national restaurant brand in the United States to adopt biometric check-in and checkout nationwide. PopID’s biometric check-in feature makes kiosk ordering faster, easier, and more personalized.
The implementation of PopID in every Steak n Shake location was accomplished rapidly and at low cost through a partnership between PopID and ACRELEC, a leading supplier of kiosk-ordering hardware and drive-through products. Cameras were shipped to every restaurant for attachment to the existing ACRELEC kiosks. “As explained in our recent publication, ACRELEC believes that our integrated biometric solution provides various benefits to restaurant operators related to throughput, ticket size, and loyalty engagement,” says Bruno Lo-Re, President of ACRELEC America.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with PopID and to be on the edge of biometric technology for the benefit of our customers. Our guests now have the option to use biometrics for a faster and more seamless experience,” says Sardar Biglari, Chairman of Biglari Holdings, the parent company of Steak n Shake.
Now that biometrics are enabled for all ordering and payment inside Steak n Shake restaurants, PopID and Steak n Shake will begin implementing biometric check-in and checkout at the restaurant’s drive-through units. “Similar to the kiosks, biometric check in can increase loyalty participation and revenue at the drive thru while also reducing payment processing costs,” says John Miller, CEO of PopID and Chairman of Cali Group. “Additionally, biometric payment at the order confirmation screen enables staff members to work on tasks other than taking payments by card and phone at the order pick-up window.”
- 6/20/2024
HITEC 2024 NEWS: CallTek Introduces Technology as a Service
CallTek, Inc., a provider of white-label technical support services, is excited to announce its new Technology as a Service (TaaS) program. This innovative offering delivers a comprehensive technology solution, including third-party financing for on-site implementation, 24/7 remote support, and essential professional services. Covering infrastructure, licensing, and a diverse array of IT and medical devices, TaaS represents a significant advancement in technology integration.
TaaS will make its debut at two major technology events for the hospitality industry: the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) and the Technology Investment Conference, hosted by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, during the week of June 24 in Charlotte, NC.
"CallTek’s TaaS approach offers technology integrators a competitive edge by providing immediate access to innovative solutions through a streamlined financial model. This method not only conserves working capital but also boosts operational efficiency," said Tony Espinoza, CEO of CallTek. "The TaaS model ensures integrators receive vital installation and support services, and state-of-the-art equipment, all bundled into a single finance package without any initial capital outlay. Our program is designed to help integrators secure more business while enabling hotels and businesses to meet their technology needs and obligations to guests and customers."
This program is available to technology integrators and operators across North America, including the hospitality, healthcare, education, and multi-family dwelling sectors
- 6/20/2024
SoundHound AI Acquires Ordering Platform Allset to Fast-Track Its Vision of a Voice Commerce Ecosystem
SoundHound AI, Inc., a provider of voice artificial intelligence, announced the acquisition of key assets from Allset, an online ordering platform that connects restaurants and local customers. As part of the acquisition, Allset’s team will be joining SoundHound, further strengthening the company’s capabilities and commitment to innovation.
The closing of the acquisition will bring additional restaurant relationships, engineering skills, and marketplace know-how to SoundHound AI as it builds towards its vision of a voice commerce ecosystem that enables consumers to access goods and services through natural conversation. This includes plans to facilitate voice-enabled food and drink ordering across millions of cars, TVs, and smart devices.
Founded in 2015, Allset is a food ordering platform designed for local pick-up, providing a seamless, cost-effective dining experience that allows both consumers and restaurants to bypass the high fees charged by delivery apps. The business received backing from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, and has amassed nearly 7,000 restaurant partners nationwide, including Joe & The Juice and Charleys Cheesesteaks.
Alongside continuing the services provided by Allset, all of the platform’s current restaurant partners – as well as all new signups to Allset – will now have full access to a suite of SoundHound’s voice AI products to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and drive sales.
The Allset leadership team, including Co-Founders Stas Matviyenko and Anna Polishchuk, will also apply their extensive marketplace experience to accelerating SoundHound’s first-of-its-kind voice monetization platform. The move mobilizes a key part of the company’s growth strategy, enabling consumers to use conversational voice AI to effortlessly order food from their vehicles or a voice-enabled device, like a TV.
Today, SoundHound is a market leader for restaurant voice AI solutions, working with over 10,000 restaurant locations. The company’s fast, accurate voice ordering technology can be deployed across multiple channels, including via phone, drive-thru, kiosk, and mobile app. The system can seamlessly pick-up customer orders, understand speech in a range of major languages, learn any restaurant’s menu, process orders directly to the POS, answer customer FAQs, and even upsell add-ons and offer special promotions.
SoundHound also works with world class clients across a range of other sectors, including smart devices, TVs, and automotive – where SoundHound’s solutions are in millions of units around the world today.
“As a business, Allset will help SoundHound bring voice AI solutions to even more restaurants looking to improve operational efficiency. At the same time, the Allset team brings a wealth of marketplace experience and knowledge that will make our bigger vision of a voice commerce ecosystem a reality,” said Keyvan Mohajer, CEO and Co-Founder of SoundHound AI. “Together, we plan to provide dynamic and convenient ways for people to order food and complete a range of other transactions just by speaking naturally.”
"We are thrilled to join forces with SoundHound to combine our established partnerships and marketplace expertise with SoundHound’s class-leading voice AI solutions and capabilities," said Stas Matviyenko, CEO and Co-Founder of Allset. "From the beginning, we realized that we share the same vision for the voice commerce ecosystem that elevates the consumer experience. This team-up will accelerate our progress toward the next exciting phase of AI-powered ordering convenience."
Learn more about SoundHound AI’s vision for a voice commerce ecosystem here.
- 6/19/2024
HITEC 2024 NEWS: Onity Announces Cloud-Based IOT Hospitality Solutions and Enriched DirectKey Mobile Credentialing System
Onity, a provider of electronic locks and mobile access solutions, is thrilled to announce the enhanced DirectKey™ 3.0 system and an advancement in IoT-based hospitality security. The company is set to showcase its expanded connected capabilities for electronic locks and mobile access solutions at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), from June 24-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Onity is part of Honeywell, a leading provider of solutions and services that improve the occupant experience and are used in more than 10 million buildings worldwide.
DirectKey 3.0
Onity is proud to present the latest iteration of its flagship DirectKey mobile access technology. Onity’s DirectKey technology allows guests to unlock doors upon approach using their mobile device - enabling seamless entries across the property from parking garage, to elevators, guest rooms and beyond. Key enhancements include:
• Updated DirectKey ecosystem: Faster update times for firmware and data transfers as well as lower power consumption for improved battery life.
• Security and Enhanced Performance: Utilizing 128-bit AES data encryption to provide an additional layer of security, complementing existing user access permissions and audit trails. Designed to deliver faster open times and support quick connection to multiple users in common areas such as elevators.
• Soft Broker Technology: Enabling DirectKey/DirectKey Firmware capabilities on third-party hardware platforms without the need for a DirectKey/DirectKey module.
IoT Transformation for Enhanced Hotel Management
Onity’s new 1-way and 2-way connected solutions will set the stage for future developments, offering significant benefits to hoteliers:
• Enhanced Front Desk Monitoring & Control: Allows front desk staff to monitor battery levels, receive live alarms for forced door openings or doors held open, and remotely lock down individual doors.
• Improved Maintenance Capabilities: Features such as remote time setting adjustments for daylight savings, lower staff costs, remote audits, and elimination of lock re-programming after battery replacement.
• Outstanding Guest Experience: Enables seamless room moves or extended stays, enhancing the overall guest experience.
New connected capabilities redefine property management and guest interaction:
• CloudConnect™: A cloud-based property management software (PMS) interface that eliminates the need for on-premise hardware and wiring. It provides a single endpoint for PMS collaborators, allowing seamless creation of key cards or digital keys.
• Serene™ Wall Reader: A complete and connected solution offering flexible access to elevators, parking garages, and common areas.
• IoT Gateway: A scalable IoT mesh network infrastructure for properties with online locks, facilitating remote access control for Onity connected locks.
• Integrations: Collaborations with Wi-Fi access points and room management systems (RMS), such as Inncom by Honeywell, enabling 2-way communication with Onity locks.
"Providing connected capabilities for our customers highlights our dedication to enhancing experiences for both hotel staff and guests," said Fayyad Sbaihat, President of Onity. "The future is promising as Onity will soon launch a comprehensive dashboard for property owners and operators, offering valuable analytics and insights into the operation and performance of their mobile credentialing and electronic locking systems."
For more information, visit Onity booth #3040 on June 25-27 at HITEC or visit www.onity.com.
- 6/19/2024
Lighthouse Acquires Berlin-based HQ Revenue to Accelerate Commercial Strategy for the Travel & Hospitality Industry
Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight), a commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry, announced the acquisition of Berlin-based HQ revenue. This acquisition brings together two hospitality technology providers and will accelerate investment and innovation for existing HQ revenue and Lighthouse customers.
“We're really excited to team up with HQ revenue as we’ve a shared commitment and passion to deliver innovative data, products and services to our customers and partners," said Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of Lighthouse. "Our teams share the same mission and we’re highly motivated to empower hospitality businesses to make great commercial decisions to generate more revenue."
"Our focus on delivering great products, great data and an excellent customer experience has been the cornerstone of our success, " said Roland Hehn, CEO of HQ revenue. “Joining forces with Lighthouse enables us to scale this commitment, bringing even more value to our customers and expanding our global reach."
Lighthouse's acquisition of HQ revenue is part of a broader strategy to bring together the most advanced technology and teams in the industry, to deliver the next generation commercial platform. Lighthouse and HQ revenue are excited to embark on this journey together.
The acquisition of HQ revenue reinforces Lighthouse's continued commitment to reducing data complexity by delivering actionable insights and data-driven solutions to over 65,000 hoteliers globally.
- 6/19/2024
Mews Adds Point-of-Sale to Its Embedded Payments Experience, Bringing Time Savings to Staff and Guests
Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, has announced the addition of Mews POS (Point-of-Sale) to the embedded payments experience offered with Mews Hospitality Cloud, bringing increased operational time savings for hotels and frictionless experiences for guests.
Mews is the first cloud-native solution to introduce embedded payment solutions to hospitality throughout the guest stay. With Mews POS now fully embedded with Mews Payments, it means digital ordering of food and beverage (F&B) transactions can use the same payment processing platform as all other transactions within the guest journey, including upgrades and bill settlement. The solution is also unique for its international presence, as it is available in 16 countries.
“By harnessing the power of embedded payments, hoteliers will feel real benefits across their business,” said Josef Starýchfojtů, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Mews. “Consolidated payment functionalities mean faster, more secure operations, with cumulative time savings, richer guest data and an increase in guest satisfaction.”
Mercure Roeselare, a four-star, full-service hotel in Belgium, benefits from embedded payments across their F&B offering. Damien Janssens, General Manager, commented: “Having all payments in one basket that we can check daily in Mews is crucial for our cash flow. It simplifies the reporting process for both myself and our accounting team.”
Additional benefits include fee unification across all PMS and POS transactions, as well as consolidated payouts. It also allows for complete payment reporting directly within Mews Operations without any need to manually import or export data. This translates into significant time savings because properties only need to deal with a single provider, and all reporting is unified. It also removes the need for additional Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, saving further time during implementation.
Capsule Hotel is an innovative hospitality brand with four properties in Switzerland. A single person staffs their multi-purpose lobby and can handle all transactions from check-ins to drink orders on a single device. Hendrik Renken, Project Manager at Capsule Services, said: “I am very satisfied with Mews Payments on POS. I can't imagine a simpler solution than what we have now. It's the most convenient way to handle payments, making front desk operations as straightforward as possible for all staff to understand.”