Chris Fletcher

No CTO, No problem. Plugging the “ Tech Gap” for midmarket operators.

So you don't have a CTO, a director of IT or even a tech savvy person in your team . So what do you do when trying to procure new hospitality tech to automate and fix your everyday problems? 

Well I was the answer to that question, I was an ops director at full capacity and was now managing eight different SaaS solutions and probably failing at getting both ROI and efficiencies from any of them. 

This is the sole reason that Tech on Toast exists, Tech on Toast is the solution to what i call the “tech gap”, the gap that exists between a single site or mid market brand and the tech community's brilliant products. You need both time and resource to truly understand what solutions you need & also understand what you are signing up, for most, that time doesn't exist.

Of course not everyone can afford an IT department or a CTO to run their tech for them. However, with a well-structured approach and support from a third party, even small teams can make informed decisions that propel their businesses forward.

Here are some tips how.

1. Identify Your Needs: Begin by assessing your business requirements. What pain points could be addressed with technology? Whether it's streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, or improving communication, understanding your needs is the foundation of a successful tech buying process. The Tech on Toast FREE tech audit allows you to assess where you are at and where you want to go.

2. Research Solutions: Conduct thorough research to identify potential tech solutions that align with your needs. Look for user-friendly options that require minimal IT expertise. Read online reviews, check out our marketplace, listen to our podcast, seek recommendations from industry peers, and explore case studies to gauge the real-world impact of these solutions.

3. Scalability: As a mid-market operator, it's crucial to think about scalability. Choose solutions that can grow with your business and accommodate increasing demands over time. Scalability ensures that your investments today will continue to serve you well in the future. We create a visual tech stack for you so you ( and your team) can see how your tech works together 

4. User friendly front ends!: Since you lack an IT department, opt for tech solutions with intuitive user interfaces. The easier the system is to use, the faster your team can adapt to it. User-friendly interfaces reduce the learning curve and decrease the need for extensive training.

5. Customer Support: Robust customer support is invaluable for mid-market operators. Select vendors that offer responsive support, including clear documentation, online tutorials, and accessible helplines. Reliable customer support can save you time and frustration when technical issues arise.

6. Total Cost of Ownership: Look beyond the initial purchase price and consider the total cost of ownership (TCO). We cover this in our FREE tech audit. This includes ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and potential integration costs. Calculate the TCO over a few years to accurately assess the long-term financial impact.

7. Pilot Testing: Before committing fully, consider piloting the chosen solution with a small group of users. This allows you to iron out any issues, get real-world feedback, and fine-tune the implementation process.

8. Data Security and Compliance: With the increasing importance of data security and privacy, ensure that the tech solutions you choose adhere to industry regulations and offer robust security features to safeguard your business and customer data. We offer support with our partners' Support Wizard.

9. Integration Capabilities: Many businesses rely on multiple tech tools. Ensure that the solution you're considering can seamlessly integrate with existing software to avoid data silos and increase operational efficiency.

10. Vendor Reputation: Lastly, choose reputable vendors with a proven track record in serving mid-market businesses. A trustworthy vendor is more likely to provide reliable products and support, we work with over 60 of the best suppliers so ask us, we will help guide you.

This process can be daunting, but we can help, we propose cost neutral consultancy services that will end up saving you money, making you more efficient and taking the pressure of your senior people, who need to focus on the two most important people in your business, your team and your guests.

Get in touch.

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