KIRKLAND, Wash., Jan. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paying at restaurants today became quicker and more secure for consumers - and more operationally and economically efficient for dining establishments - with the debut of the Rail™ from Viableware, a provider of restaurant communication solutions. The Rail is an innovative pay-at-the-table system that maintains the traditional look and feel of the bill presentation folder diners are used to seeing delivered to their table, with the added capabilities of a digital interface, at-the-table credit card swiping, on-the-spot digital signing, and credit card authorization. By enabling restaurant guests to self-swipe credit or debit cards, the Rail protects them from card information theft, while also enabling restaurants to streamline payment processes and generate new advertising revenues.
Using Rail, restaurant patrons can also easily split bills or bar tabs, auto-calculate tips, and have a receipt emailed to them at the touch of a finger. Most importantly, they never need to hand their credit card or debit card to their table server, mitigating potential credit card information theft by the use of pocket-sized skimming devices. The Rail enables restaurant guests to securely manage their entire payment process - and when they’re finished, a small LED light atop the folder indicates to the table server when the bill has been paid.
Credit card data theft is a growing problem for restaurants as unscrupulous employees continue to use card skimming technology to participate in criminal enterprise. Recent research indicates that restaurants now account for 70 to 90 percent of card skimming instances, and that fraud losses from theft by credit card skimming is on pace to total $10 billion by 2015.
"The system is incredibly intuitive and simple to use, and I appreciate that it helps preserve a non-intrusive restaurant experience," said Pat Erwin, vice president, information technology at Restaurants Unlimited. "By putting the guest in full control of the payment process, it shows greater appreciation of their personal time and security. This technology is the cutting-edge. This is the type of thing that separates the good restaurants from the great ones."
For restaurants, Rail extends existing Point-of-Sale systems to the table, introducing greater table service efficiency and significant cost reductions. Instead of the current high-touch process of taking payments, the Rail enables restaurants to streamline the payment process into one simple step. The system also serves as an alternative revenue source for restaurants by providing a digital platform for third-party advertising and cross-selling opportunities.
"The Rail is a breakthrough for restaurants that are seeking ways to widen their margins, but without negatively affecting customer service and satisfaction," said Joseph Snell, co-founder and CEO of Viableware. "The devices not only simplify table service operations, but they also open up a multitude of revenue sharing opportunities. For example, with Rail in place, a restaurant can market locally with third-party businesses, like a nearby movie theater, to offer guests discount tickets to that evening’s show. The guest could purchase the tickets directly from the Rail by swiping their card - and a commission could be earned for the restaurant."
Viableware’s Rails can also serve as a valuable customer relationship management tool for restaurants looking to offer loyalty and incentive programs to their clientele. The system can support a number of different customer-relations functions, including touch-screen surveys, secret shopper reports, and frequent diner programs. And because it automatically tracks consumer use and tallies reward point incentives, the management of such customer loyalty programs is extremely simple and cost effective.
"Maintaining a close relationship with your frequent customers is far easier and more effective with this type of technology at work in the restaurant," Snell said. "Restaurants can now communicate with their patrons in a way never available to them in the past. Presenting the bill can now double as an opportunity to offer each guest a short satisfaction survey, an option to donate to a cause, or an invitation to join in a rewards program. The Rail manages the entire effort, enabling restaurants to stay squarely focused on providing an exceptional product and extraordinary service."
For more information on the Rail digital billing system, visit www.viableware.com.
About Viableware
Viableware is a leading provider of restaurant communications solutions. The company designs, builds and sells software and hardware products designed to increase waiter efficiency, provide restaurants with new marketing and communication applications, and eliminate credit card information theft. For more information on Viableware, visit www.viableware.com.