Top 2 Reasons to Switch to 100% Cloud-Based Technology Platforms

Rick Stanbridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Marco’s Pizza

Rick Stanbridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Marco’s Pizza

Over the past decade, cloud-based technology has transformed the way businesses operate. The adoption of cloud-based systems has become more widespread due to its accessibility, scalability, and efficiency, but many brands still remain hesitate of the change and large undertaking.

It is not uncommon to find small businesses using legacy systems with on-premise hardware and software vs. migrating to 100 percent cloud-based platforms to support POS and other functionality. While a conversation like this can be a very large undertaking, a cloud-based system creates optimal operation efficiency, flexibility, and ultimately creates more opportunity to drive results.

At Marco’s, we are currently rolling out our own in-house fully cloud-based technology platform called Marco’s Order Management System (MOMS). The fully integrated system supports payment processing and the POS system, including conversational ordering, labor scheduling, inventory management, and a cloud-based reporting dashboard with centralized data management capabilities. This allows Marco’s to be very nimble as we continue to implement new technologies while saving our franchisees money and providing a best-in-class customer experience.

Below are the top two reasons why brands should switch to 100 percent cloud-based technology platforms.

1. Greater Flexibility and Mobility One of the key advantages of cloud-based technology is the flexibility and mobility it offers. With a cloud-based system, franchisees and team members can access the same information and data from any device, anywhere, and at any time. This means that franchise brands can operate more efficiently and effectively.

Additionally, cloud-based systems also offer greater flexibility in terms of software updates and maintenance. Traditional on-premise systems often require significant time and resources to update, which can lead to downtime and disrupt business operations. In contrast, cloud-based systems update automatically, eliminating the need for manual updates and ensuring that franchise brands always have access to the to the platform from anywhere.

2. Cost-Effective and Scalable Another significant advantage of cloud-based technology is its cost-effectiveness and scalability in the long-term. With cloud-based systems, franchise brands can reduce the cost of maintaining and upgrading software, as everything is stored, accessed, and updated remotely through the cloud.

Cloud-based systems are also highly scalable, meaning that franchise brands can easily adjust their resources to meet changing business and consumer needs. With cloud-based systems, brands can quickly and easily add or remove resources as needed, which allows them to be more responsive to market changes.

With Greater Flexibility And Mobility, Cost-Effectiveness And Scalability, Brands Can Operate More Efficiently And Effectively, While Staying Competitive In An Increasingly Digital World

For example, by housing our own data via MOMS, it can also enable all sorts of applications both now and in the future, allowing Marco’s to respond to rapid digital change. We’ll be able to pivot and plug in additional technology features for customers such as:

• Ordering from virtual assistants such as Alexa, Siri, and Google

• Remote kiosk ordering

• GPS pinpointed delivery

• Instant ordering via social media

• Automotive app integration such as Apple CarPlay

It is clear that cloud-based technology offers numerous benefits. With greater flexibility and mobility, cost-effectiveness and scalability, brands can operate more efficiently and effectively, while staying competitive in an increasingly digital world.

Cloud-based technology platforms have the power to revolutionize retail businesses. As more franchise brands realize the benefits of cloud-based technology, it's only a matter of time before the entire industry shifts to this modern technology platform.