Four Key Ingredients to Improve Restaurant Efficiencies and Security

Most restaurants do not use their video surveillance systems to their full potential. But modern, cloud-based video management systems (VMS) can help improve restaurant business operations as well as proactively prevent safety and security incidents. Cloud-based systems, like Eagle Eye Networks Cloud VMS, are easy to access and use, provide data and insights, and are more secure than traditional on-premises systems. 

The pandemic created new challenges for the restaurant industry including labor shortages and the expanded use of curbside delivery, plus changes in customer headcounts and table turnover. Those industry shifts continue to be a reality for restaurant owners and operators. The National Restaurant Association reports that more than half of restaurant operators expect it to be a year or more before business conditions return to normal.  

Restaurants that optimize their existing surveillance cameras can reduce operational costs and do more with less by using real time data and video analytics to make strategic staffing decisions. Even without a full staff, customer service can improve with data-driven decisions about customer wait times. 

The ability to monitor all cameras and locations from anywhere, plus these valuable metrics, are two of the reasons cloud-based systems are the best video surveillance system for restaurants. Remote access, automatic updates, and flexibility in adjusting the system set these systems apart from traditional on-prem systems. Cloud systems also provide better cybersecurity than many on-prem or windows based solutions. 

Some systems, like Eagle Eye Cloud VMS, even make it possible to move an existing surveillance system to the cloud without replacing any existing cameras or equipment. 

Keep reading for four ways a cloud-based surveillance system can help restaurants operate more efficiently and improve customer service. 

1. Real Time Awareness For Restaurant Security

Cloud-based video surveillance systems allow the ability to conveniently look in on any camera or location from anywhere, including from your phone. 

Real time awareness makes consistent monitoring of a restaurant possible without being on site. Staff can be held accountable and recorded video can be used for additional training to improve the dining experience. 

Remote access can also be used proactively to prevent potential liabilities. Real time awareness allows owners and operators to spot check staff to see if they are following health and safety codes and internal policies. Additionally they can look in to see how operations are running or if customers are being treated well. 

During time-sensitive incidents, surveillance video is accessible when it is needed most. You can easily find and instantly download and email video clips. Restaurant owners and operators, plus regional and location managers, can quickly review accidents or incidents and make an informed decision on how to proceed and who to notify. 

2. Using Data and Analytics For Restaurant Operations

Modern surveillance systems have new capabilities that can help improve operations. Systems like Eagle Eye VMS are equipped with useful artificial intelligence (AI) technology to measure data and analytics, which allow them to track and predict patterns more effectively. 

There are a number of useful applications for restaurant video analytics in the restaurant industry. People counting analytics can track how many people are entering and exiting a restaurant at any given time. This data, measured over days, weeks, and months, can provide insights on peak customer times and days so that staff can be scheduled strategically. 

Line crossing data applied to drive thru cameras can be used to improve operational efficiencies. This data can help managers see where and when customers are moving through the line, as well as identify choke points and areas of potential improvement. By analyzing this data, managers can make informed decisions that can help improve the customer experience.

Loitering analytics can help restaurant owners and managers recognize if people are waiting too long in line. By optimizing queue times, they can improve customer satisfaction. If too many people are waiting in line, alerts can be set to notify on-duty managers of long wait times so that they can adjust staff in real time. 

Surveillance systems can integrate cameras with POS information to ensure transactions are legitimate. 

CURBSIDE IS HERE TO STAY

Curbside pickup became a restaurant standard during the pandemic and that option is here to stay. Restaurants that provide fast, accurate service will see return curbside customers. 

Curbside also created a new situation – employees interacting with customers outside of the business – where safety and customer service can benefit from surveillance. 

A flexible cloud VMS system can easily be adjusted to add new cameras for curbside monitoring. Cloud-based systems also support curbside pickup with: 

• AI-powered license plate recognition that will keep track of pickup orders if tied to customer accounts. 
• Video timestamps that strengthen security. 
• Wireless connected body cameras that are small and unobtrusive enough to be part of the uniform but provide compliance and safety.

3. Flexibility and Scalability – Locations, and Users

Restaurants that learned to pivot quickly were able to adapt to the various challenges during the pandemic and survive better than others. Cloud-based surveillance systems are able to change quickly and easily, often without requiring on-site visits from a security technician. These browser and mobile based systems allow managers to adjust retention times and video quality of individual cameras or locations with just a few clicks. This helped restaurants during COVID – they were able to reduce their surveillance video retention and save money while dining rooms were closed. 

The right cloud system allows a system manager to add or delete users and set up parameters for each individual user on what cameras and locations they can view with their own unique and secure login.

The right cloud VMS should also make scaling up and adding new locations or cameras to the system easy and affordable. Restaurant owners should have the flexibility to choose the cameras that work best for their business needs at a price that also works. Some cloud systems require proprietary cameras be used when migrating to a cloud surveillance system, but Eagle Eye Networks Cloud VMS does not require restaurants to use Eagle Eye Cameras. The right system should prioritize flexibility and avoid unnecessary costs replacing or upgrading existing equipment. A truly flexible system should work with existing cameras, even analog cameras.

4. Improved Cybersecurity With Cloud Video Surveillance

Improve the cybersecurity of your network, which hosts critical information including payroll, customer information, and POS solutions. A cloud-based VMS helps to protect these assets and minimize risk. 

On-prem systems require open ports for access and the responsibility of protecting that system falls to a restaurant’s IT manager. Maintaining network security eats up time and resources, and a cloud-based VMS manages cybersecurity and security updates as a regular part of the service. The connectivity of a cloud-based system means automatic security fixes and patches are continually added, ensuring new protections for your surveillance system and network. 

The Eagle Eye Networks system is designed to block all cameras from interacting with anything connected to your network or the internet to prevent any path for malware to enter. Video surveillance data is encrypted before it moves to the cloud, preventing access to any of that information. Each individual user can be set up with a secure login and defined parameters for what video they can access. 

At the beginning of 2022 Eagle Eye Networks completed SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 audits that independently ensure the highest level of cyber protection available to protect and manage customer data. 

If you would like to learn more about Eagle Eye Networks cloud-based VMS, including some new features that will further help restaurants, click here to schedule a demo with one of our experts at your convenience.