How EPoS Technology Can Help Keep Fans Safe When Returning To Match Days

We spoke to Richard Cox, managing director of Langley Business Systems, to find out how Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) technology can help keep returning fans safe.

Do you think upgrading current EPoS technology is beneficial for reassuring fans that they are safe to return to stadiums?

“Upgrading pre-existing EPoS technology, both software and hardware, within stadiums can be very beneficial in aiding the successful and safe return of crowds and can help stadiums meet UK government legislation around COVID-19, GDPR and security.

“It can help keep both fans and staff safe by limiting the need for face-to-face interaction, and makes serving fans, whether it be in the club shop or food vendors area, far more fast and efficient by streamlining operations.”

What new EPoS technology has been introduced in stadiums ahead of the return to match days?

“Throughout the pandemic we have seen the introduction of new EPoS technologies such as QR codes and app ordering. Implementing such technologies can make food and drink orders far easier for fans and staff whilst promoting social distancing.

“QR codes and app ordering allow fans to browse menus and place orders from their smartphones, meaning stadiums can implement an order to seat service. This is a great way of keeping fans in seats and preventing them mixing with others, helping limit virus transmission.

“App ordering is also an effective way for stadiums to introduce loyalty programmes for their food and drink vendors, as they can see which products are most popular, promote spending through targeted offers, and encourage fans to continue to use the app.

“Upgrading EPoS software to provide an even greater insight into purchasing, deliveries, stock allocation and inventory, is another trend we are seeing across stadiums. This can be advantageous as stadiums welcome fans back, as it enables them to grow and enrich their databases, develop a single-customer-view of the fan and to truly understand them through insights, business intelligence and data visualisation.

“There are many strands of digital information that can be gathered via a well-integrated EPoS system, from e-commerce and retail, ticketing, access control and customer relationship management, to food and beverage trends and the enabling of quick transactions to reduce queuing and waiting times.”

How can EPoS technology be used to promote social distancing?

“Often, by having technologies such as app or QR ordering, stadiums can reduce the amount of staff in the food vendor area, as there is less of a requirement to have enough servers to keep queues moving. It can also prevent fans from mingling in non-seated areas whilst social distancing measures are still in place.

“If a stadium plans to reopen its merchandise store, EPoS technologies, such as handheld payments and self-serve checkouts, can help keep queues moving and, again, lessen the amount of staff needed, aiding social distancing.”

What is the future of EPoS technology for stadiums, and how has it been shaped by the pandemic?

“Customer loyalty programmes are likely to become far more commonplace in stadium settings, coupled with app and QR ordering. These technologies provide invaluable data to stadiums on spending habits and best-selling items, making way for far more personalised marketing efforts to keep fans returning to the stadium.

“The pandemic has also impacted the take up of new EPoS technologies by fans and staff alike. More people have become comfortable using new technologies as a way of preventing the spread of the virus, with hand-held ordering terminals, self-service tills, app ordering and QR scanning all becoming far more common in a variety of different settings.”