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June 2009
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Like Our Ideas or Want to Share Some
The Z Report is looking for comments, ideas and suggestions about how we can help our customers better utilize technology.
Please contact us as often as you would like at:
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Greetings!
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The new issue of The Z Report talks about the latest view of where our industry is headed.
It appears there are new signs of economic recovery but that consumer buying habits have changed and may never return to the "old days".
With all these new changes and current challenges, DCRS Solutions offers a wide variety of services, solutions, and advice that can help your restaurant adapt to the new economic landscape.
We are here to help you and your staff to navigate through this economic period, increase market share, and avoid pitfalls. Technology is only part of the story....how to use it effectively is the key.
Leverage our company to help yours...call us to set up a specially-priced consultation to find out how to increase the value of your existing technology.
We hope our newsletter sheds some new light and you will forward it on to others on your staff.
Sincerely,
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Brighter Future For Restaurants???
 Two new surveys released in late May indicate that the end of the restaurant industry downturn may have finally arrived. The NRA's Restaurant Performance Index and the RBC Capital Restaurant Spending Survey both showed marked improvement. The NRA index was up for the 4th consecutive monthly gain and shows increases in sales, traffic, labor, and capital expenditures. It is now at its highest level in eleven months. The RBC Capital Survey showed its best monthly improvement since November, 2006. Of the 1000 consumers surveyed, the number who said they would spend more money at restaurants in the next 90 days rose 10% up versus 6% reported the previous month. The reports also indicated that consumers are eating out more often because of increased "travel...more special events and because restaurants are offering better value" according to the NRN article. Get the whole story:
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"Dealing" With Discounts
This is a hot topic as restaurants try to maintain their  market share. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, one of the nation's most successful operators, Danny Meyer, talks in detail about coping with discounting. His philosophy is NOT to discount "15% off the same veal chop" but rather create a whole different meal (with a different cost structure) to offer more value for customers who are looking for a better deal. Mr. Meyer goes on to say that customers want choices, sometimes smaller courses, that don't require them to "spend a fortune" to get a complete meal. In order to make critical changes, operators need detailed data...your POS system offers many reports and probably some you are not currently using which help you measure popularity, profitability, and trends. Contact us to set up a meeting with a profitability expert who can help your restaurant in this area:
Matt Kramer or Matt Patterson
314-739-6666
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Exciting New Capabilities From MICROS
 There are a number of advances from MICROS for new and existing users. MICROS enhances their software, adds features, new applications, and new hardware on a regular basis. While it is not possible to detail all of the latest changes here, simply contact our offices for more information. Here a just a few of the latest developments from MICROS: Tip Tracking- MICROS LES 9700 users now have a new Tip Track Reporting package available. And MICROS RES4 users can now have the Tip Reporting Alternative Commitment (TRAC). TRAC is used to calculate employees' tax responsibility when declaring tips. When enabled, this new function is useful when management wants to ensure their employees are declaring an appropriate percentage of cash tips for tax purposes. After an employee declares his or her tips, Tip Tracking compares the amount of cash tips declared against a minimum percentage of cash sales. If the amount of tips declared is below the configured minimum, the employee cannot proceed to clock out. The employee must either adjust the amount of tips declared to an acceptable percentage or seek manager approval. Delivery for MICROS RES4 Users- Several new enhancements have been added to this module.
Curbside To Go for MICROS RES4 Users:
This new functionality helps restaurants improve their take out operations by allowing customers to place orders, identify their make/model of vehicle, so that their order can actually "meet" them as they drive up "curbside" to the restaurant for added convenience and efficiency....even customer payments can be handled quickly by presenting a portable handheld device directly to the driver for secure and speedy payment.
Digital Signage Integration for MICROS RES4 Users:
With the cost of large flat panel displays dropping and the ability to add and re-price menu items automatically, MICROS has added functionality so that digital signage is always "synchronized" with the point-of-sale database. Imagine being able to add new specials, change a price during the day or at happy hour, and add marketing content so that it appears automatically on crisp, clear, flat panel displays. 
Contact us:
Jay Jordan
314-739-6666
dcrsnews@dcrs.com
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Click To Receive Information From DCRS Solutions |
Want a Secure Restaurant? Try Looking in the Mirror
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| We are not talking about your appearance but rather the Self Assessment Security Program required for independent restaurants who process credit cards which includes just about everybody.
There is a requirement for most restaurants to utilize the Level 4 Merchant Compliance Program.
This relatively new program requires acquirers
to develop and submit a formal written compliance
plan to Visa, which "identifies, prioritizes and
manages overall risk within their Level 4 merchant
populations," according to the CISP Bulletin.
Many of the requirements go above and beyond making sure that your POS system is installed with a validated
and non-expired version of software.There is a 12 step recommendation for the program which includes maintaining a secure network especially when wireless capabilities are employed, best practices for password security, and a whole host of other considerations. The self assessment process is important to understand and follow. As your POS provider, our office is not allowed to perform the assessment on your behalf. The good news is there are companies who as qualified assessors can
provide self assessment and audit services to
help insure your restaurant is compliant. We do provide a number of "security" solutions which monitor POS systems on a 24/7 basis to help prevent hacking and breaches.
This should be done on regular and scheduled
basis. Breaches, fines, card holder security,
public relations, are just a few of the real dangers
of not paying close attention and following the
guidelines properly.
Your restaurant needs to pay close attention
and can do so with the help of MICROS which
has dedicated an area of their web site
for PCI information:
MICROS Security Site
Or course, our office will be glad to point you
in the right direction. Remember credit card security is not just an event but an ongoing process.
Contact our Team for additional advice:
Matt Kramer or Matt Patterson
314-739-6666
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