Custom Business Solutions, developers of the restaurant industry’s first tablet-based Point of Sale System, today announces the release of NorthStar Order Entry 4.0 with expanded, robust capabilities for improving operations and increasing efficiencies for restaurant and food service businesses.
First developed for the restaurant industry five years ago, NorthStar Order Entry provides an omni-channel platform for guests and servers to more efficiently order while managing security, improving speed of service and enhancing the guest experience with better technology.
The new features in NorthStar Order Entry 4.0 are based on both operator feedback and Custom Business Solutions’ research on future needs for the industry, according to Art Julian, CEO and founder of Custom Business Solutions (CBS).
“This enhanced version of NorthStar gives operators more flexibility and the technology muscle to handle so many more tasks from one system, “ said Julian. “NorthStar 4.0 also offers specific features for operators in other market segments including the cruise industry and the amusement park industry.”
NorthStar 4.0 will offer more than a dozen new updated features. A few of the highlights include:
EMV Compliance – NorthStar will support full EMV compliance with the ability to accept new chip cards. As of October 2015, the liability for fraudulent cards has moved to the restaurateur, and providing customers with the ability to process chip-enabled credit cards reduces liabilities for the restaurant.
Enhanced Ordering – CBS thoroughly examined the order taking process and has enhanced the ordering process in several key areas:
– Multi-brand kiosk ordering – This new feature called ‘Community Table’ offers multi-brand kiosk support allowing guests to place orders from several restaurant brands at one tablet. This NorthStar feature is being used by a multi-brand franchise operator at a major US airport where guests have the option of ordering from different types of restaurants from a tabletop tablet. Guests can also pay for each order from the tablet so that their credit card never leaves their hand.
– ComboFirst – This feature puts meal combos center stage on the ordering interface, and prompts the employee through the combination components. This leads to more ‘conversational ordering’ while increasing speed, efficiency and upsell opportunities.
– Seat Position – This intuitive feature makes food delivery far more personal than ever before. The server can match the order to the seat number – either at the beginning or the end of the order taking process – and can deliver the right meal to the right person.
Training Mode – NorthStar 4.0 features a live training mode to allow managers to train staff during business hours. This new function gets new hires up to speed more quickly and effectively. Hands-on staff training increases guest service.
Beyond Restaurants, More Industries are Adopting NorthStar
Amusement parks and the cruise industry are discovering the NorthStar technology that has helped restaurant businesses improve operations. NorthStar Order Entry was installed in two restaurants aboard the much-anticipated luxury cruise liner, Norwegian Escape, allowing guests to control the pace of their food and beverage service. A major Southern California amusement park is also using NorthStar to expedite foodservice ordering through a kiosk system.
NorthStar 4.0 includes additional features for both industries including complete property management integration for Fidelio Cruise, a top operating system for cruise ships. This integration connects the restaurant ordering system to the Fidelio payment, tracking and overall operations system.
About Custom Business Solutions
Since 1994, the advanced software solutions offered by Custom Business Solutions have helped numerous hospitality professionals to operate their businesses more profitably. Restaurant operators and their guests have benefited from CBS’s NorthStar suite of products that enhance the dining experiences. CBS also offers a range of support services such as after-hours help desk capabilities. Custom Business Solutions, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, CA with offices throughout the Western United States. For more information, visit www.cbsnorthstar.com.
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