ALPHARETTA, GA. – Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced availability of The 2016 Smart Decision Guide to Restaurant Management and POS Systems, published by Starfleet Research. Based on exhaustive industry research, the document reveals how food and beverage service operators are looking to next-generation point-of-sale technology to improve efficiency, enhance guest satisfaction and increase revenue.

According to the study, today's restaurant operators are seeing the biggest technology shift since the 1980s, when POS terminals replaced cash registers. Mobility, flexibility and customization are hallmarks of new POS systems. Many solutions also incorporate inventory control functionality, pay-at-table processing, employee management tools, reporting capabilities and seat reservations management. Moreover, today's POS systems accept an increasing array of payment methods, including chip credit cards and e-wallet apps.

"Although every food and beverage services organization has its own unique needs and preferences, any restaurant that wants to remain competitive must implement point-of-sale technology that does more than merely accept payments," said Jeff Zabin, research director at Starfleet Research. "Next-generation POS systems play an integral role in streamlining operations and enhancing the quality of the guest experience, both of which lead to revenue growth. This study clearly reveals a vast array of compelling reasons for restaurants to upgrade their point-of-sale technology as well as advice for maximizing the value of their POS investment after implementation."

According to research conducted for the Smart Decision Guide:

• Almost one-quarter (24%) of restaurant operators who have not purchased a new restaurant management and POS system within the past three years indicate that they plan to do so in the next 12 months.
• 93% of respondents indicate that improving guest satisfaction, loyalty and positive word of mouth is one of the biggest benefits one can expect to gain with the right POS system.
• 88% of restaurateurs rank accommodating guests' ordering and payment preferences as 'important' or 'very important'.
• 81% of restaurant operators rank the need to gain access to POS data and business insights as an 'important' or 'very important' success factor.
• 78% of restaurant operators cite the benefits of POS mobility as the top reason to upgrade their technology capabilities.
• 73% of full-service restaurants and 57% of fast casual restaurants achieved 'significant' or 'dramatic' improvement in operations and revenue performance after deploying a next-generation POS system.

"In the highly competitive restaurant industry, increasing revenue and margins by even a few percentage points can make a huge difference in profitability," said Jim Walker, senior vice president of global revenue at Agilysys. "It's no wonder, then, that restaurant operators are looking to industry-leading POS technology like our InfoGenesis POS system to improve operational efficiency and enhance guest service. This research emphasizes the importance of the point-of-sale system in streamlining operations and increasing revenue while also providing a roadmap for restaurant operators as they consider implementing next-generation POS technology."

Download The 2016 Smart Decision Guide to Restaurant Management and POS Systems at http://info.agilysys.com/POS-DecisionMakingGuide.

About Agilysys

Agilysys is well known for its long heritage of hospitality-focused technology innovation. The Company delivers modular and integrated software solutions and expertise to businesses seeking to maximize Return on Experience (ROE) through hospitality encounters that are both personal and profitable. Over time, customers achieve High Return Hospitality by consistently delighting guests, retaining staff and growing margins. Customers around the world include: branded and independent hotels; multi-amenity resort properties; casinos; property, hotel and resort management companies; cruise lines; corporate dining providers; higher education campus dining providers; food service management companies; hospitals; lifestyle communities; senior living facilities; stadiums; and theme parks. The Agilysys Hospitality Cloud™ combines core operational systems for property management (PMS), point of sale (POS) and inventory and procurement (I&P) with Experience Enhancers™ that meaningfully improve interactions for guests and for employees across dimensions such as digital access, mobile convenience, self-service control, personal choice, payment options, service coverage and real-time insights to improve decisions. Core solutions and Experience Enhancers are selectively combined in Hospitality Solution Studios™ tailored to specific hospitality settings and business needs. Agilysys operates across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and India with headquarters located in Alpharetta, GA. For more information visit Agilysys.com 

Robert Shecterle
Director of Product Marketing
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