21 June 2010

New Forest Hotels, a privately owned group of four country house hotels in the New Forest, is this month celebrating the first anniversary of its move to EPoS. The group installed new technology from J2 Retail Systems and Stevens Business Systems last summer.

“The tills are easy to use and not obtrusive at all. They enable us to be more professional,” said Christine Turner, operations manager at New Forest Hotels.

The hotel group previously ran operations with basic cash register systems, relying upon local company, Stevens Business Systems, for technical support. However, as the business expanded, a move to more modern technology was required. The group had two main requirements: to streamline the business and to increase security at the till points.

As hoped for, this new integrated technology solution has streamlined its operations and made its points-of-service more secure and visible

Lee Drew, Stevens Business Systems Stevens recommended hardware from J2 Retail Systems. “J2 is a well-established brand with lots of reference sites in the hotel sector, and its units are very reliable,” said Lee Drew, operations manager at Stevens Business Systems. New Forest Hotels installed the J2 580 PC-based EPoS, a machine with integrated fingerprint recognition technology, which could address its security concerns.

Ten J2 580s have been installed across the four hotels, and are the backbone of a complete hardware and software solution. “We put in ICR Touch software to run point-of-sale operations,” added Drew. “Plus we interface to the front-office management system, SoftBrands’ PORTfolio PMS, and to back-office software which is installed at New Forest Hotels’ head office.”

Sheridon Mascoll-Durrant manages one of the hotels: “Our new system means we can stay in the restaurant and look after guests without having to leave to take orders through to the kitchen. It’s definitely easier for the chefs, and it’s also much quicker to print bills from the new tills.”

New Forest Hotels are finding fingerprint recognition particularly useful for securing till points. “All staff now sign in using this method,” said Mascoll-Durrant. “Not only does this clarify who completed which transactions in the case of query, but there’s also greater control over cash and reduced shrinkage.”

“The new system is easy to use,” said Jenny Withington who manages The Beaulieu Hotel. "There’s less room for error, it’s useful when you’re recommending wine and it’s easier for the chefs to understand. At the end of service, it’s more simple to charge meals or drinks to rooms.”

One year down the line and the New Forest Hotels group is a more efficient business. “As hoped for, this new integrated technology solution has streamlined its operations and made its points-of-service more secure and visible,” concluded Drew.

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