AI cost analysis, table management and simple spa bookings: the best new hospitality technology products

Restaurants, hotels and contract caterers are constantly looking at ways to make operations more efficient and reduce costs.

 

Technology platforms can be a big help in this endeavour, whether they’re used for making bookings, invoicing, food procurement or centralising guest communications.

 

So to ensure your venue’s digital tools are at the cutting edge of the industry, we have rounded up the latest and most innovative additions to the hospitality software suite.

 

Find new options to update your tech stack below.

 

Invoice analysis with AI

 

Rekki, the ordering app for chefs, has launched an AI tool for hospitality businesses to turn invoices into cost and gross profit data. The AI technology can instantly read invoices and convert them into an immediate overview of spending, allowing businesses to track their performance without manual data entry or waiting for monthly reports. Rekki Insights also integrates with accounting platforms such as Xero and QuickBooks to simplify financial processes and reduce the need for manual data entry.

 

Price First month free, then £100 per month per site, or £80 per month per site for three or more sites

 

Streamline spa bookings

Hotel guest experience solution provider Crave Interactive has integrated with Book4Time, a spa management software provider, to streamline spa bookings through Crave in-room tablets, AppLess mobile and web solutions. The partnership features dynamic pricing and multi-person booking capabilities to offer guests increased flexibility and convenience in planning their spa visits. Crave’s messaging platform complements the integration by encouraging more bookings at less busy times.

 

Price In-room tablets and charging dock sets, from £250

 

Boost bookings with reservation software

Restaurant booking platform Quandoo for Restaurants has launched an integration capability that will allow restaurants to connect their reservation management tool to Quandoo’s marketplace, meaning restaurants can reach more potential customers and get more bookings. Integration partners in the UK include Zonal and Mozrest. The platform offers automatic guest and inventory syncing, giving restaurants a single view of all bookings, and real-time insights remove the need for manual data entry and reduce the chance of missed or double bookings.

 

Price Integrations is part of Quandoo for Restaurants’ Pro plan, initial set-up fee, £249, monthly subscription, £39

 

School procurement costs cut by 20%

Catering and facilities management consultancy the Litmus Partnership has introduced procurement and catering management system Litmus Edge. The system gives schools and multi-academy trusts a range of tools housed on one platform, designed to reduce procurement costs by up to 20%. The single point of ordering and consolidated invoicing should reduce time spent on administration and allow schools to either access a network of suppliers with negotiated prices or manage their existing supplier arrangements. Allergen checks and menu planning can also be carried out within Litmus Edge.

 

Price Licence and support fees from £50 per month

 

Simplify hotel guest communications

HiJiffy and Booking.com have joined forces to enable hotels to manage and respond to guest inquiries from Booking.com directly within HiJiffy’s console with the help of AI. Hotels can initiate conversations with guests from the time of reservation until seven days after check-out, and hotels can also engage with guests through targeted campaigns.

 

Price Pro plan from £159 per month or Premium plan from £319 per month