Agilysys unveiled its latest hospitality software solutions at the Global Gaming Expo, including an application that lets you order food and drinks from anywhere in a hotel-casino on a mobile device.
The Georgia-headquartered company calls the new solution rGuest OnDemand and can be used on both phones and tablet PCs.
Ryan Carrier, Agilysys’ director of gaming, said the rGuest OnDemand makes the ordering process easier, frees up staff to spend more time with guests, and dramatically increases revenue opportunities without additional staffing. The company says the product is ideal for high-activity venues looking for more flexibility and a way to ensure service is never lacking or slow, even during peak periods.
“The impact is more people placing food orders which drives revenue for the casino,” Carrier said. “And it keeps them at the slot machine and not losing a seat at the sports book.”
Casino guests place food orders from their phone or tablet anywhere on property – hotel room, casino floor, arenas, conference areas, or the sports book. The casino can track where the order was made and where to take it to the guest, Carrier said.
The ability to place a food order comes through a welcome email or text message the guest receives from the casino.
“I think what’s going to be an expansion of this is putting a barcode in front of a slot machine or in front of a seat at the sports book where they are just taking a picture of it, and it launches a URL so they can place an order,” Carrier said. “The server then knows where to bring the food order.”
Carrier said the menu is decided by the casino based on location. It gives people the option of making payments using their loyalty card points, charging it to their room, or paying through the wallet of credit card that already exists on their phone, Carrier said.
The solution even has built-in throttle, so the kitchen staff isn’t overwhelmed with orders, Carrier said.
Carrier said the system was implemented in some Las Vegas casinos in recent months, but this is the first time it’s been released for customers to purchase.
“I have been with the company for 12 to 13 years, and everything around mobile that they saw at G2E they really felt this was going to solve a problem,” Carrier said.
Also at G2E, Agilysys unveiled a buffet option for its rGuest Buy kiosk solution. When someone shows up to the buffet and there’s a line, they can place their reservation in a time slot.
“It’s the only buffet system out there that offers a built-in reservation time,” Carrier said. “We can pick a time, pay and leave, and it will send us a text message when our slot is available. Right now there’s not anything that efficient in the industry. There’s one line for players and another for people who aren’t heavy players. That’s affecting the revenue of the casino with people standing in line. Instead, it’s let’s be more efficient. Let them pick a time, and let’s get them back either playing slots or table games.”
People would be required to pay to secure a reservation, which can also be made on multiple days during a guest’s hotel stay, Carrier said.
“It’s going to do really well,” Carrier said. “That’s the product that got a lot of excitement from customers.”
Agilysys has launched rGuest Express Mobile, an in-house mobile solution for guests checking in before they arrive at the hotel. Casinos will be able to expand on the idea to offer packages, Carrier said. There is also a kiosk version. The idea promotes convenience for those wanting to head straight to a room without waiting in line.
Agilysys provides software solutions covering point of sale, property management, inventory and procurement, and payments for casinos, hotels, resorts, cruises, corporate foodservice management, universities, arenas and stadiums, and healthcare.
