About the Client
Our client is a leading high-performance vehicle manufacturer, renowned as an innovation and technology pioneer. With a workforce of 4,000 employees working on site, the company expects every aspect of its operations—from engineering to employee services—to reflect its reputation.
The area in focus was the workplace dining experience. In such an environment where every minute counts, the client needed a solution that served its employees quickly and provided detailed insights into operations, supported different methods of payment methods, and integrated seamlessly with existing systems.
The Client Requirements and Challenges
For the in-house dining service, they had a unique set of requirements:
- Speedy Service: During peak times, long queues—especially for credit card transactions—were causing delays and impacting lunch breaks. Employees needed to spend more time enjoying their breaks rather than waiting in line, making the efficiency of the ordering process a key priority.
- 24/7 Operation: With staff working around the clock, the dining service needed to provide consistent, reliable support, including out-of-hours services.
- Diverse Payment Options: The client needed a system capable of handling various payment types, including credit cards, mobile payments, and their own access control badges. This flexibility was necessary for understanding customer behaviour and for applying targeted subsidies.
- Data and Budgeting: The client needed robust reporting features to track performance, monitor budgets, and manage resources effectively.
- Balancing New and Traditional Approaches: The solution had to blend innovative technology with traditional methods, ensuring a smooth transition for both customers and staff.
The Solutions Implemented
In just three months, our team collaborated closely with the client to understand their needs and develop a detailed project plan. We customised our advanced POS and payment solutions to align perfectly with these requirements, combining traditional systems with innovative technology. The outcome was an integrated solution designed to enhance the dining experience by improving both efficiency and ease of use.
Self-Service and Traditional EPOS Systems
We started by integrating both self-service and traditional EPOS systems. This hybrid approach allowed the client to maintain the reliability of conventional terminals while introducing self-service options for those who preferred a quicker, autonomous experience. The flexibility meant that during high-traffic periods, customers could choose the method that best suited their needs.
visioncheckout with Weigh and Pay
A cornerstone of the solution was the visioncheckout system. This AI-powered self-checkout tool is engineered for high-footfall environments. It uses computer vision to recognise items placed on trays, eliminating the need for manual barcode scanning. With accuracy levels exceeding 99%, visioncheckout can process transactions in as little as 5 to 7 seconds—drastically reducing queue times. The integrated “Weigh and Pay” feature ensures items sold by weight are accurately charged, providing a complete solution for both packaged and bulk products.
Since its market introduction, clients using visioncheckout have reported a 20% increase in average receipt turnover when compared with traditional cash registers. Additionally, by replacing a single traditional terminal with visioncheckout, they have experienced a 25% boost in transaction capacity—translating to approximately 7,200 extra transactions each week—and an annual saving of around £20,000 in labour costs.
Mobile Application for Pre-ordering
To further streamline the ordering process, we introduced a mobile ordering application. This tool allows employees to pre-order meals, reducing the congestion that typically occurs during peak lunch hours. By enabling customers to view menus, select items, and pay in advance, the app supports a smoother flow of operations and improves the overall dining experience. It also offers an additional channel for gathering customer data, which can be used to refine menus and tailor promotions.
Promotions and Subsidies Management
Effective customer engagement is essential, and our POS solution includes a robust promotions and subsidies module. This feature enables the client to run targeted promotions—such as discounts, loyalty points, or subsidised meal offers—at the point of sale. Customers are incentivised to explore the full menu without the pressure of waiting in line, leading to higher upselling opportunities. The system’s ability to manage promotions across multiple sites from a central dashboard ensures consistency and efficiency.
Integration with Access/HR and Third-Party Systems
Given the need for a mixture of payment types and detailed behavioural data, our solution integrates seamlessly with the client’s access control and HR systems. This integration supports payments through credit cards, mobile methods, and even access control badges, ensuring that every transaction is recorded and analysed accurately. In addition, our API enables integration with third-party platforms—allowing for smoother data exchange and comprehensive reporting on customer behaviour, inventory levels, and financial performance.
Hosted Solutions and Ongoing Maintenance
The entire solution is delivered as a hosted service, ensuring that the client benefits from regular updates, robust security measures, and minimal downtime. Our hosted environment includes automatic system updates, antivirus protection, and proactive monitoring, all of which contribute to a 99.9% uptime guarantee. This approach reduces the IT burden on the client and ensures that their operations remain uninterrupted—no matter the time of day.
The Result
This project has led to a more efficient, scalable corporate hospitality operation. It is expected to significantly increase profitability while enhancing the experience for both customers and staff, supported by top-tier security and hosting.
