Choosing the right EPoS for your theatre, arts venue or stadium.

Customer experience and operational efficiency are the cornerstone of any operation. The choice of EPoS can make or break both. Theatres, arts venues and stadia need EPoS systems that cater to their unique requirements. We examine what key features to look for in an EPoS system and then list some of the available EPoS systems that are tailored to venues.

Part 1 - Key Requirements of an EPOS for Theatres and Venues

1. Interval Ordering

One of the most pressing needs of theatres is the ability to manage interval orders. The EPoS system should allow customers to pre-order refreshments for collection during intermissions. This not only reduces queue times but also enhances the customer experience.

Key Benefits:

• Maximise secondary revenue during very small windows of opportunity.
• Reduced congestion in the bar.
• Improved customer satisfaction.
  

2. Ticketing Integration

Whilst not essential, you and your customers are likely to benefit if the EPoS has an integration with your ticket system, such as Spektrix, Tessitura, Tixly, NLiven, LineUp etc.

Key Benefits:

• Efficient operations between the ticketing and food and beverage teams.
• The ability for the till to recognise memberships and support discounts.
• A unified set of customer transaction data for insights and reporting.

3. Support for Mobile and Self-Service Options

Theatres benefit greatly from mobile EPoS devices and self-service kiosks, enabling faster service in various locations throughout the venue.

Key Benefits:

• Allows for queue busting when the going gets tough.
• Self-service kiosks reduce queues and may increase revenue with improved customer experience.
• QR code ordering is another self-service option that can reduce queues.

4. Inventory and Stock Management

With multiple sales points, an EPoS system should offer robust inventory management tools. These tools help theatres keep track of stock levels for merchandise and refreshments.

Key Benefits:

• Real-time stock monitoring for on-the-day sales across multiple locations.
• Automated alerts for low stock.
• A simplified reordering processes.

5. Membership and Loyalty Program Integration

Chances are your venue has a loyalty or membership scheme. An EPoS system should integrate with these, typically via your ticketing or CRM system. This will allow customers  to access rewards, apply discounts, or redeem benefits.

Key Benefits:

• Personalised customer experience.
• Guest retention.
• Data insights about customer preferences and behaviours.

6. Robust Reporting and Analytics

A theatre EPoS system should have a robust reporting and analytics feature. You will need this to help venue management make key, data driven decisions. Sales performance and inventory insights are essential.

Key Features to Look For:

• Real-time sales data.
• Customer purchase history.
• Performance metrics for staff and products.

7. Multi-Venue or Multi-Department Support

For larger organisations or venues that operate multiple locations, the EPoS should have in-built support multi-site management.

Key Benefits:

• Centralised control over multiple locations.
• Consistent pricing and promotions across locations.
• Consolidated reporting for the entire organisation. 

8. Automated upsells

The right approach to upselling can significantly increase secondary revenue. Your chosen EPoS system should have a means by which it prompts the operator to offer customers timely and relevant upsells. For example drinks with their food orders or to purchase show-related merchandise.

Key Benefits:

• Increased average transaction value (ATV).
• Increased sales of high margin items.
• Personalised experience for your customers.

9. Scalability and Adaptability

Operations can vary greatly depending on the size and scope of the venue, or even within the same venue depending on the event and season. An EPoS system must be able to adapt to a venue’s.

Key Benefits:

• Ability to adapt to seasonal or event-specific requirements.
• Tailored functionality for different areas of the venue.

10. Secure and Flexible Payment Options

Today, every customer expects to be able to pay in the way they prefer. The EPoS system should support a variety of options. This needs to include contactless, digital wallets, and other modern payment methods while ensuring compliance with security standards.

Key Benefits:

• Faster transaction processing.
• Improved customer trust.
• Accessibility for a diverse audience.

Conclusion

Choosing the right EPoS system for your venue is critical to its success. It will make or break both the efficiency of your operations and the level of satisfaction experienced by your customers. Focusing on features like interval ordering, ticketing integration, and robust reporting will ensure you able to meet the demands of your audiences, maximise revenue and run an efficient operation.

Part 2 - EPoS Systems that cater for theatres and venues

pointOne EPoS is tailored for performing arts theatres. Founded in 2001, the company has developed a reputation for delivering innovative EPoS systems backed by outstanding support and project delivery.

Key Features and Integrations

pointOne’s EPoS system offers several features designed specifically for theatres:

• Interval Ordering: The system includes an interval ordering module that allows customers to pre-order refreshments, reducing queue times and making the bar more accessible.
• Ticketing Integration: pointOne integrates with leading ticketing software, including Spektrix and Tessitura.
• Mobile POS: The solution supports mobile point-of-sale devices for roaming concession and merchandise sales, which enables venues to queue-bust on demand.
• Stock Control: Enterprise-level stock control tools offer comprehensive insights into front-of-house and back-of-house operations.

Case Study

• The Lowry: This venue faced challenges with interval ordering and multi-department stock control. Implementing pointOne’s solution led to shorter queues, increased upselling opportunities during intervals, and significant staff time savings with integrated stock control and kitchen management.

Industry Recognition

pointOne is recognised as a go-to EPoS partner for the arts sector, with over 100 theatre venue clients.

Conclusion

pointOne EPoS offers a comprehensive solution for arts and culture venues. It addresses specific operational needs such as interval ordering, ticketing integration, and mobile sales. Its successful implementations in venues like The Lowry demonstrate its suitability and effectiveness in enhancing theatre operations, customer experiences and growing secondary revenue.

Tevalis offers a comprehensive ecosystem tailored to the hospitality and entertainment sectors.

Key Features and Integrations

Tevalis’ EPoS system offers several features designed specifically for theatres:

• Interval Ordering: The system includes an interval ordering module that allows customers to pre-order refreshments, reducing queue times and freeing up the bar on the day of events.
• Usher Devices: Tevalis provides handheld ordering software, enabling staff to take and process orders swiftly without returning to a fixed terminal, which means venues can queue-bust at a moment’s notice.
• Merchandise and Commission Management: Centralised Management means there is a single point of control for all the tills and terminals.
• Integration Capabilities: With over 150 industry-leading integrations, Tevalis connects with various platforms, including payment services, ticketing systems, and loyalty programs.

Case Studies

Tevalis has been implemented successfully in various entertainment venues including:

• Riverside Studios: This internationally renowned arts centre integrated Tevalis’ EPoS system to centralize management across multiple sales points, enhancing efficiency and saving staff time.
• Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: By adopting Tevalis, the theatre streamlined its operations, resulting in significant time savings and improved service delivery.

Industry Engagement

Tevalis is actively involved in the theatre industry, participating in events such as the Society of London Theatre’s annual conference.

Conclusion

Tevalis offers a robust and adaptable EPoS solution for arts and culture venues. It includes features like interval ordering, mobile usher devices, and has extensive integration capabilities. Its successful implementations in venues such as Riverside Studios and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre highlight its effectiveness in enhancing theatre operations and patron experiences.

Kappture is a provider of electronic point-of-sale (EPoS) and mobile payment software solutions, catering to various sectors, including stadia, retail, business and industry, and hospitality.

Key Features and Integrations

Kappture’s EPoS system has many features which cater to arts and culture venues:

• Mobile EPoS Solutions: Kappture offers a mobile EPoS solution that enables staff to take payments quickly and efficiently, enhancing service delivery during peak times, along with the often needed queue buster.
• QR Code Ordering: Kappture supports QR code ordering, allowing customers to place orders directly from their smartphones. This feature can reduce queue times and improve the overall customer experience, especially if used for in-seat ordering.
• Self-Service Kiosks: Kappture’s self-service kiosks are great for reducing queue times and maximising secondary revenue. These kiosks provide an intuitive user experience and can be branded to match the theatre’s own brand identity.  

Case Studies

Kappture has successfully implemented its solutions in various high-volume venues:

• Sodexo Live!: Kappture installed 810 new fixed and mobile EPoS systems across multiple UK venues managed by Sodexo Live! The technology led to increased revenue, reduced labour in cashless venues, and quicker service for customers.
• ASM Global: In 2021, Kappture was selected as the hospitality technology supplier for all ASM Global UK venues. This saw over 1,200 devices installed across 22 venues. The implementation provided real-time sales analysis and improved operational efficiency.

Conclusion

Kappture offers a range of EPoS solutions that could be beneficial for performing arts theatres, including mobile payment options, QR code ordering, self-service kiosks, and comprehensive event management systems. Its experience in deploying these technologies in high-volume venues enhances operational efficiency and customer experience.

Square offers a versatile solution that is suitable for arts and culture venues. The interface and comprehensive features make it a viable option for theatres who wish to enhance operational efficiency and improve their customers’ experience.

Key Features and Integrations

Square’s EPoS system offers several features that can benefit venues:

• Payment Processing: Square can make use of a wide range of payment methods. This includes chip and PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
• Inventory Management: Inventory can be managed across multiple sales points. Theatres handling concessions and merchandise sales with multiple bars and stands can control what inventory is on sale a what till.
• Customisable Interface: Square’s EPoS software is fully customisable. It allows theatres to tailor the system to their specific operational needs.  

Conclusion

Square’s EPoS system provides a flexible and comprehensive solution. It can be tailored to the needs of arts and culture venues. The versatile payment processing, inventory management, and interface make it a viable option for theatres.

SalesVu is a comprehensive point-of-sale solution that offers arts and culture specific features.

Key Features and Integrations

SalesVu offers several features beneficial to theatres, arts and culture venues:

• Integrated EPoS System: SalesVu provides an all-in-one platform for and food and beverage operations that is suitable for both eCommerce and on-site sales. It can support operations in the theatre gift shop, café and concession stands.
• Membership and Loyalty Integration: Through partnerships with systems like Tessitura and Spektrix, SalesVu enables theatres to look up customer memberships and apply discounts or rewards automatically. This integration ensures a personalised experience for patrons and consolidates purchase histories for better customer relationship management.
• Self-Serve Kiosks and QR Code Ordering: SalesVu’s self-order kiosk solutions and QR code ordering capabilities allow theatre guests to place orders independently, thereby reducing queue times and improving efficiency during peak periods such as intermissions.
• Inventory and Vendor Management: The system includes comprehensive inventory management tools, allowing theatres to monitor stock levels in real-time, automate purchase orders, and manage vendor relationships effectively.

Case Studies

SalesVu has been implemented in various arts and cultural organisations, demonstrating its effectiveness:

• Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: The organisation adopted SalesVu for its mobility and scalability, accommodating the diverse needs across multiple venues and events. The integration with Tessitura provided a complete picture of patrons’ spending and facilitated the fulfilment of membership perks.
• Shubert Theatre: The Shubert Theatre utilises SalesVu for its online shop, managing merchandise sales efficiently and providing patrons with a seamless purchasing experience.

Conclusion

SalesVu offers a robust and adaptable EPoS solution for performing arts theatres, with features that streamline operations, enhance patron engagement, and integrate seamlessly with existing customer relationship management systems. Its successful implementations in various cultural organisations underscore its suitability and effectiveness in the performing arts sector.

About VisitOne

VisitOne helps venues thrive by turning guest engagement into secondary revenue. The VisitOne digital wallet integrates your ticket software, your chosen EPoS and even table reservation software. It combines convenience for ticket-holders by having everything in one place with timely, relevant and personalised messaging that compels your customers to make additional purchases. 

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