10 | Q2 2020 Technological developments and sophisticated software play an important role in every industry now, and the restaurant industry is no exception. Drawing on years of carefully cultivated knowledge, Purple I Technologies has become a leading provider of bespoke solutions in the market. Named as Best Bespoke Business Software Developers 2019 in SME News’ Southern Enterprise Awards 2019, we thought it was time to dig a little deeper and discover some of the secrets of success. Eat Out to Help Out! Founded in 2006, Purple-I Technologies has become well known in the restaurant industry for its forward thinking, customdesigned, technological solutions. For the past thirteen years, the company has developed new ways to help business make better use of their time and resources, with its incredible systems making a tremendous difference to businesses across the world. Originally working on accident management software, Purple I soon developed new systems based around Human Resource Management and Customer Relationship Management systems. The end result was the impressive EPOS, designed specifically for the world of hospitality and retail. In many ways, this shows the true range of Purple I. While based in London, the team have achieved incredible success and influence outside of the capital. The team have been market leaders in the Indian restaurant sector for many years, with the success of the EPOS systems allowing the development of DineNet, an online ordering system. This responsive ecommerce with mobile app was designed with individual restaurant brands in order to ensure that it remains at an affordable cost. Success here was the result of a long time spent researching and developing various solutions including EPOS integrations, cutting the costs down in order to ensure that clients would be satisfied with the end result. In the notoriously fickle catering industry, challenges and uncertainty are commonplace. The aim of Purple I is to create ways in which new, affordable, easy to use and sustainable systems can be introduced to offset the trend. The secret of the company is an emphasis on allowing the team to make the most of their product, with no development time or complex referral needed. DineNet, for example, is straightforward enough to run that any member of staff can set it up and run it smoothly, enabling a restaurant to reduce or manage with less staff while customers are able to reap the benefits of a modern, efficient way of ordering their meals. The major impact that Purple I has had on the catering market can clearly be seen in its partnership with Channel S’s Catering Circle Shows. This TV show has proven to be incredibly popular with members of the Bangladeshi community, and look carefully at the ways in serious of burning issues and its solutions which includes technological solutions can be introduced in Indian restaurants. For the team from Purple I, the role is that of advisor, explaining to restaurant owners and managers the different ways in which they might be able to use technology effectively and cut down costs. Within the industry at large, Purple I have become more useful thanks to the rising use of technology generally. Generally considered a necessity, there are very few people without a device to hand that can handle any number of demands. This is one of the factors, beyond Purple I’s exceptional product, that has helped to encourage businesses to embrace the EPOS system. Another aspect of what Purple I dineNET has to offer is that it cancels out the high commission charges that are taken from other online platforms. The development of Dec19054 a bespoke online order system negates this entirely, allowing small business owners to get back all of the money from the order and save thousands of pounds in just commission. The Brexit debate caused a great deal of uncertainty in business but now that the UK has left the EU there has been clarity on the position. Following this, Covid19 has completely turned the catering industry on its head. With restaurants now open following lockdown, VAT being reduced to 5% until Jan 2021 and Rishi Sunak’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Scheme, it is hoped that the UK businesses will recover quickly. Indeed, during the lockdown restaurant and bar industry have been severely affected. As businesses had to shut their doors with no certainty of when they will be able to reopen, many adapted quickly to the change by finding new ways to provide their services. For most, this meant introducing a take-away service, which for many was a new venture. Many restaurants turned to using delivery services and Purple I noticed an uptake in clients investing in promoting their own brand using Purple I dineNET and getting rid of online giants such as Just Eat, Deliveroo and UberEATS. Additionally by cutting down kitchen staff, many restaurants were still able to provide customers their favourite curries, all be it from slightly condensed menus. Whilst it may have
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