HOSPITALITY
23
OPERATOR UPDATES SOUTH BANK POS
T
he refurbishment of the South specialist supplier Wedderburn EPoS Systems.
Bank Centre has been of the most Wedderburn introduced its hardware partner
signi½ cant civic projects of recent years. J2 Retail Systems and, together, they put
The centre’s bars and eateries have been forward an integrated solution based on J2’s
designed to complement a range of activities. 520 electronic point-of-sale (EPoS) system
When Company of Cooks won the tender and Wedderburn’s software and services.
to operate the centre’s bars and restaurants, In addition to performing mainstream concertgoers easily ½ nd their drinks.
one of its ½ rst steps was to invest in new accounting, they are the hub for some Shortly to go live are Waiterpad terminals
technology. In terms of technology purchasing sophisticated technology ‘add-ons’ that for mobile queue busting. They will run the
criteria, system performance and reliability improve ef½ ciency and service. For example, WaiterPoS system and link the baristas to the
were critical. “Having a hardware and software as a purchase is registered on the till, the item till system. Company of Cooks also plans to
solution working together and driving 33 tills is counted off the inventory ½ le. use the tills for clocking staff in and out.
simultaneously is quite a challenge,” said Colin When stock reaches a certain level, a Lees added: “Our new technology is
Lees, Company of Cooks general manager. message is sent to a tablet PC-based system helping us to run a better business and to
Company of Cooks’ predecessor had so that kitchen staff can replenish stocks. seize new opportunities. We are enjoying
used Casio units with limited functionality. Another example allows interval drinks to real-time information on sales which gives us
Lees knew that he wanted a PC-based be ordered to a speci½ c bar and located good item-level analysis for stock movement
touchscreen system, so he turned to in a unique pigeon-hole. This makes sure and good control over cash.”
HOTEL HACK RAISES SECURITY ALARM
Global Secure Systems (GSS), an IT security the systems open to hacker incursions easily eavesdrop on the webmail sessions,
consultancy, has warned that insecure and could end up with guests’ emails being with potential embarrassing consequences
Wi-Fi systems installed at hotels across the plastered all over the internet,” he added. for the guests and the hotel(s) concerned,”
UK could be hacked with embarrassing According to Hobson, the use of Wi-Fi he said.
consequences, as has happened with the passwords in hotels is a relatively easy The hacker threats against the Thompson
high-end Thompson hotel chain in the US security procedure to implement, with hotel chain – which includes several ½ ve-
last month. reception staff giving out the passwords to star hotels in Manhattan, Beverly Hills and
“Reports in the US suggest that a guests as they check in. Washington – could result in lawsuits
hacker threatened to release a number of And, he says, by changing the passwords against the company, said Hobson, but the
embarrassing emails sent and received by on a regular basis, guests can be assured resultant publicity will undoubtedly put off
guests and staff at the high-end Thompson their online sessions, including their email high-spending guests from staying at the
hotel chain there,” said David Hobson, GSS’ interchanges, will remain private, as they boutique hotels, with a consequent loss of
managing director. should be. revenue.
“The same thing could happen in the UK, “Many hotel guests use webmail, rather “UK hotels should now be looking to
as many hotels leave their Wi-Fi networks than email client software, on their laptops their Wi-Fi security procedures to prevent
open – i.e. without a password – for guests for convenience. If a hacker gains access to a possible run of copycat hacker attacks on
to use in their rooms. This potentially leaves an open Wi-Fi network in the hotel, they can this side of the Atlantic,” he said.
NOVEMBER 2008 RETAIL TECHNOLOGY
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