In today's fast-paced world, the need for fast food has become invaluable. And the meaning of "fast food" has never been more literal.
Xpedia identified the opportunity for an SMS Ordering Solution (SOS) for the takeaway food industry that will make the ordering of fast foods even faster. Restaurants can offer their customers the opportunity to place takeaway orders via SMS, which makes for simple, affordable and accurate order placing.
According to a study conducted by KPMG in August 2013, "Looking to the future of telecommunications in South Africa", it is evident that more South Africans make use of their mobile phones than computers. The study found that the number of mobile phone users in South Africa has grown to 29 million. Given this staggering statistic, it is clear that mobile telecommunications is continuously transforming the mobile landscape in South Africa. It also found that 69% of cellphone users prefer to text contacts rather than calling.
As the mobile market has grown, the idea of an SMS Ordering Solution for takeaways has become more popular. The traditional ordering by phone call poses some challenges: getting through to the restaurant at peak times; strong accents or incorrect pronunciation, leading to misunderstood orders; the human error factor, resulting in inaccurate orders; the higher cost involved with a phone call as opposed to an SMS; etc. Therefore, the idea of placing orders via an SMS can be revolutionary in the takeaway industry.
Xpedia's SOS is an online platform that offers an SMS Ordering Solution to takeaway restaurants. It provides customers with a convenient and affordable way to place takeaway orders. It is a simple and economic way for customers to contact restaurants via two-way interactive SMS messages.
Besides the advantages that SOS holds for the consumer, the restaurant also benefits from it. SOS is ideal for the takeaway and restaurant industry as it enables a restaurant to quickly and easily accept and confirm orders via SMS. Orders are more accurate and busy restaurant staff do not need to attend to the phone for taking orders. A marketing database is right at the restaurant manager's fingertips and SOS can produce reports for use in important business management decisions.
SOS is a two-way communication tool that cuts costs for both the supplier and the client. The system keeps track of all orders received and generates reports for management.
Once an order is submitted, the restaurant automatically receives a notification on its computer. Once received, the customer will instantly receive a confirmation status with an order ID. The order is then confirmed and the total cost is sent to the customer to accept or decline.
SOS has the facility for takeaway and restaurant owners to access their own control panels, thus allowing them to keep track of their SMS ordering, sales and marketing.
SOS also offers the functionality of a marketing tool: the restaurant manager can automatically build up a useful customer database from orders received and can notify customers of any promotions or important events. Any other bulk communications can also be handled with ease. Advanced contact management functionality ensures communication is targeted.
For further information on these and other Xpedia products and services, please contact info@xpedia.co.za or (+27) 12 667 2970 or visit www.xpedia.co.za.
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