Technology

Hospitality technology expert launches cloud-based business tracker mylivehospitality

27-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Hannah McIntyre, a hospitality technology expert, has launched mylivehospitality - a cloud-based system which allows operators to view and control all aspects of their businesses in one place.

One Tree launches gift card software for hospitality businesses

26-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

One Tree, a piece of software which allows hospitality businesses to sell gift packages on the hotel or restaurant's own website, was launched earlier this year.

Posera launches update to Maitre’D EPoS software

25-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

In the first of a week of news stories detailing launches of technology products for the hospitality industry to support our special feature, BigHospitality reveals details of the latest update to Posera's Maitre’D EPoS software.

New web service launched to help restaurants run events in low periods

21-Jan-2013 By Emma Eversham

Software start-up Okurso has launched a web service which enables restaurants and pubs the chance to bring single people, business travellers and expats together for an event or meal out during periods of low trade.

Airwave Europe to distribute platform allowing hotel guests to control bedroom using their mobile phone

15-Jan-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Airwave Europe has chosen The Hospitality Show to introduce a mobile platform it will now be distributing in the UK which allows hotel guests to control everything in their bedroom and communicate with hotel staff using their smartphone.

Lynx Purchasing launches free GP Calculator App for Smartphones

11-Jan-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Chefs can now hit their target GP and instantly work out menu prices with the new free GP Calculator App from buying specialists Lynx Purchasing.

Umi Digital develops web package to help independent hoteliers build direct bookings

10-Dec-2012 By Emma Eversham

Marketing agency Umi Digital has developed a special web package for independent hotel owners which is designed to help them increase their online presence and build more bookings through their own websites instead of through online travel agencies.

iDon’tQ pre-order and payment app designed to cut customer waiting time

04-Dec-2012 By Emma Eversham

A new app called iDon'tQ, which allows customers to make orders and pay without having to wait, is currently being trialled in selected cafes and pubs with the hope of cutting service time, increasing repeat business and ultimately generating more...

LobbyFriend: The 'hotel social network' coming to the UK

30-Nov-2012 By Luke Nicholls

In-room entertainment systems supplier Quadriga has signed a distribution agreement with LobbyFriend – a private temporary social network for hotels, enabling them to communicate with guests during their stay.

Hot Hotels: Last-minute hotel booking app launched to fill unoccupied rooms

20-Nov-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Hot Hotels, a new app for the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry platforms, provides hotels with a means of getting rid of their perishable inventory, helping to fill otherwise unoccupied rooms. 

Eat@ smartphone app provides 'complete' mobile marketing solution for restaurants

12-Nov-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Experienced app developer Appdragon has launched a smartphone application for enables restaurants to take complete mobile marketing control by allowing them to send bespoke offers to customers and potential customers by text message.

Hilden's new RFID linen technology allows hoteliers to track laundry stock

30-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Hilden, supplier of linen products and related services, has launched a solution for the hotel industry, fitting laundry with ultra-frequency Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, making it easier to track stock. 

Facewatch joins forces with Crimestoppers and ACPO to better tackle crime

29-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Facewatch, the crime prevention scheme set up by Gordon's Wine Bar managing director Simon Gordon, has formed a partnership with charity Crimestoppers and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to better tackle crime.

Locatel acquires Docomo and partners with Hoist to improve hotel technology services

26-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Hotel multi-media supplier Locatel has acquired technology company Docomo Intertouch Europe following a partnership deal with Hoist, which it says will allow it to offer a greater number of services to its customers. 

OpenTable offers service to create mobile websites for restaurants

25-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant reservations service OpenTable, the owner of TopTable, has launched a new service for its customers which allows them to create a mobile version of their restaurant's website. 

People 1st launches Apprentice 1st online portal for hospitality businesses

22-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Sector skills council People 1st has launched Apprentice 1st, an online portal which allows employers, learners and training providers to access all aspects of an apprenticeship, including coursework, assessments and practical training material, from...

Robot Pub Group showcases Robobar self-serve table system at The Restaurant Show

11-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Hospitality technology solutions provider the Robot Pub Group has launched a new range of self-serve tables for pubs and bars, allowing customers to pour their own beer and keep up-to-date with their bill in real time.

Call Systems Technology launches lightweight two-way radio for busy catering businesses

04-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Call Systems Technology has launched the Motorola CLP mini two-way mini radio for use in busy restaurants where staff need to be able to communicate with each other quickly and easily.

Kooki loyalty card smartphone app offers cost-effective solution for foodservice businesses

21-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Kooki, a new loyalty card app which allows businesses to create and manage digital loyalty programmes and offers a more convenient solution to physical cards, has launched for the UK's foodservice sector.

Logitech unveils 'ultra-durable' washable keyboard for hospitality businesses

28-Aug-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Logitech has launched a washable computer keyboard, responding to hospitality businesses’ needs for computer equipment that can stand up to the rigours of a busy work environment.

Fingi uses smartphone as new mobile platform for UK hotels

10-Aug-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Technology solutions provider Fingi has launched a new mobile platform for hotel brands, enhancing the guests experience before, during and after their stay.

CaterCost launched to save independent caterers time with menu-pricing and food management

23-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

A new menu-costing and food management system has been launched to allow chefs and restaurateurs to make additional profit from every made-from-scratch dish and provide diners with extra calorie and nutritional information.

Bleep launches eMenu, touch screen alternative to paper menus

17-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

EPoS designer and manufacturer Bleep UK has teamed up with hospitality touch screen manufacturer Conceptic Touch UK to launch eMenu, an interactive touch screen menu and ordering app designed to replace traditional paper menus in restaurants.

Consolis Payments develops low-cost EPoS system for independent pubs, restaurants, hotels

16-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Payment specialist Consolis has developed a low-cost EPoS system for small and medium-sized hospitality businesses which it says will help them have access to the same kind of chip and pin, contactless and mobile payment systems used by larger companies.

New service allows restaurants and hotels to sell gift vouchers direct from their websites

02-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

SecureTrading and Gift Voucher Solutions have teamed up to offer a service which allows restaurants and hotels to sell gift vouchers directly to customers through their own websites. 

Hospitality IT service Avenue 9 launches

28-Jun-2012 By Emma Eversham

Avenue9, a new company set up by Claritas Group of Companies, has been set up with the aim of offering a streamlined IT service to businesses in the hospitality sector. 

Mobile restaurant ordering app using customer's own smartphone launched in UK

07-Jun-2012 By Peter Ruddick

QikServe, an app that allows diners to view a restaurant menu, order food and drinks for their specific table and pay the bill using their own iPhone, iPad or Android smartphone, has been launched in the UK.

Micros Systems acquires hospitality technology provider Torex

01-May-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Micros Systems has announced it is to acquire the UK-based hospitality technology provider Torex Retail Holdings to support its international expansion plans.

Online food safety management system launched by Hygiene Audit Systems

30-Apr-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Hygiene Audit Systems, a food and health safety consultancy, has launched Hawk, an online food safety management system designed to allow hospitality operators to store and view food safety monitoring records at a time and place that is convenient to...

Wireless food hygiene management system launched by Kelsius

27-Mar-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Kelsius, a provider of web-based food service solutions, has launched FoodCheck, a wireless system to control and monitor food hygiene and safety standards to comply with Food Standards Agency (FSA) Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) processes.

Locatel launches in-room entertainment solution for hoteliers

03-Feb-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Locatel has launched a new multimedia ‘infotainment’ system that hoteliers can connect to in-room TVs to provide guests with news feeds, TV, radio and on-demand films.

SurveyMe smartphone app gives restaurants real-time customer feedback

16-Dec-2011 By Luke Nicholls

SurveyMe, the UK’s first smartphone app which allows for real-time customer feedback in restaurants, has launched in the hospitality industry.

New smartphone loyalty app aims to boost return business for restaurateurs

12-Dec-2011 By Emma Eversham

A new stamp-based virtual loyalty scheme for use on smartphones has been developed with the aim of helping independent restaurateurs and retailers see customers return to their businesses more often.

Torex launches cloud-based POS system for restaurants, pubs and hotels

28-Nov-2011 By Emma Eversham

Technology provider Torex has launched a cloud-based Point of Sale (POS) system for use by staff in restaurants, hotels and pubs.

Fourth Hospitality launches mobile menu and recipe system StarChef Lite

16-Nov-2011 By Luke Nicholls

Hospitality software specialist Fourth Hospitality has launched a new web-based recipe tool which allows head chefs and general managers to quickly check recipe information in or out of the kitchen.

Livebookings and Square Meal announce partnership

09-Nov-2011 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant reservations and online marketing services company Livebookings has partnered with restaurant guide Square Meal enabling the guide's users to book more of the restaurants it features online.

Global Hotel Exchange marketing and reservation service to be unveiled at Annual Hotel Conference

07-Nov-2011 By Emma Eversham

Global Hotel Exchange (GHX), a new marketing and reservation service devised by Thomas Magnuson is set to be unveiled at the Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester tomorrow.

Cenabo online meal pre-ordering software gives restaurants “greater foresight”

31-Oct-2011 By Luke Nicholls

Cenabo, an online meal pre-ordering software that helps restaurants, caterers and hotels collect food and drink requirements from guests in real time, has been recently launched and is available to restaurants in the build-up to the busy Christmas period.

Recommendation website launched as ‘antidote’ to hotel and restaurant review sites

26-Oct-2011 By Emma Eversham

A new recommendation and discount website is being brought to the market as the ‘antidote’ to hotel and restaurant review websites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp.

Alliance Online develops mobile site for ordering via smartphones

26-Oct-2011 By Emma Eversham

Catering equipment and disposables supplier Alliance Online has launched a mobile version of its website to enable customers to browse, order and buy products through their smartphones.

Food hygiene training tool launched on BHA website

12-Oct-2011 By Luke Nicholls

A new basic online training tool for first-level workers handling food has been launched and is available free on the British Hospitality Association website.

Not enough restaurants offer contactless payment, consumers claim

01-Sep-2011 By Becky Paskin

Most consumers using contactless payment believe the technology makes paying for items simpler, but claim not enough outlets offer the payment method, research has shown.

How iPhones are changing the way we pay restaurant bills

03-Aug-2011 By Becky Paskin

We’re moving rapidly towards a cashless society, and with the rise of the smartphone as the one item we cannot live without, it’s inevitable that the future of payment is through our handsets.

Michelin-starred chefs release iPhone recipe app

15-Jul-2011 By Becky Paskin

A new iPhone app showcasing over 180 recipes from 12 of the UK’s Michelin-starred chefs, including Marcus Wareing, Simon Hulstone, and Martin Wishart, has been launched this week.

Hilton invests in Wi-Fi upgrade across UK hotels

28-Jun-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Hilton Worldwide will be upgrading its customer internet access across hotels in the UK, as part of plans to improve its guest services.

Travelodge security breach obtains customer e-mails

27-Jun-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The budget UK hotel chain Travelodge has written to customers warning them of a security breach of its database, which accessed some e-mail addresses used to make bookings.

New Pizza Express app lets diners pay bill using iPhone

17-Jun-2011 By Becky Paskin

Pizza Express has become the first UK restaurant chain to launch a ‘groundbreaking’ iPhone app that allows diners to pay their bill via their smartphone.

Wi-Fi in pubs would attract more customers, finds report

16-Jun-2011 By Lorraine Heller

A survey of customers in some of the largest pub chains around the UK has found that a decent Wi-Fi connection would encourage punters to visit more often.

IT spend to increase in hospitality sector in 2011, finds survey

16-Jun-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Over half of hospitality operators around the world are planning to increase their technology investment over the next year, with the main driver being improved customer experience, finds a new survey.

Facebook is hoteliers’ preferred social media tool

14-Jun-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Hoteliers around the world are most likely to use Facebook over any other type of social media to promote their property and drive bookings, according to a recent poll.