Online dining reservations – designed with restaurants in mind

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Well, the buzz is certainly intense lately regarding online dining reservation software. There was an article in the Wall Street Journal on May 20 comparing several products including OpenTable, UrbanSpoon and ReservationGenie. The article highlighted restaurateur frustration with excessive fees and the limited availability of cost effective options. I guess I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw our hat in the ring.

ReServeIT from ReServe Interactive allows restaurant guests to book their reservations through a restaurant’s website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The difference between us and some of the other applications on the market is that we do not charge a ‘per seat’ or ‘per head’ transaction fee, require excessive set up costs or hit restaurateurs with miscellaneous nickel and dime charges. We offer a solution that puts guests in your dining room and revenue in your pocket.

Also, other systems use simple ‘slot’ technology to book reservations – like a glorified spreadsheet. The user has to make a best guess as to how many online reservations to set aside on a given evening.  What happens when that estimate is off and the online reservation system tells a customer that the dining room is full, even when it’s not? How do you explain it to customers who become frustrated enough to call or stop in only to find that there are actually several seats available? 

ReServeIT utilizes your actual table inventory to determine whether space is available to make a reservation. That means you have accurate, real-time management of your online reservation “pool”.  ReServe will always manage available reservations based on the parameters you define and what is happening in your restaurant in real time. Plus, if a customer’s requested reservation time is not available, you decide where to refer them.  You don’t have to worry about having your potential customers getting sent to your competitor.

Here are some other things to know about ReServeIT:

• You can manage reservations across multiple restaurants within a single database.
• You own your reservation and customer data and won’t get charged to use it to market more effectively.
• Your website and ReServeIT seamlessly integrate so you can customize your links and landing page to present a branded, serviced-oriented image to your guests throughout the reservation process.
• You can use customized short links for social media applications and online dining guides.
• You can add the customized links anywhere you want to accept dining reservations and send branded and personalized reservation confirmations to your guests.

So, to all of you out there that are frustrated with the cost of your current system, know that there are other, more affordable, options available that were designed with your success in mind.

Introducing…. Keith Ewell, Strategic Account Manager

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Keith joined ReServe Interactive in August of 2005 as an Account Executive, and is currently in the position of Strategic Account Manager, which he admits is a pretty fancy title for a sales guy!  Keith was drawn to ReServe because his position allowed him to couple his five years of experience in the restaurant industry with his 17 years of consultative sales experience, helping hospitality professionals understand and choose effective technology solutions to solve operational issues and take their businesses to the next level. By his own admission, Keith LOVES his job!

Keith grew up in Vacaville, California and began his love of the hospitality industry at the Nut Tree, a landmark restaurant group.  Corporate giant, Chevron, soon lured Keith to San Francisco with the promise of higher income, benefits and “normal” hours.  Ten years later, Keith tired of being “normal” and returned to his one true love, hospitality, joining Paragon, which operated three restaurant concepts nationwide.  At Paragon, Keith was part of a team that travelled to under-performing stores and implemented new service standards and menu concepts, optimized systems and successfully moved the bottom 30 percent into the top 25 percent across the brand.

From there, Keith began his sales career where he found he enjoyed helping people navigate the labyrinth of technology solutions, and seeing their eyes light up when they realized how much easier their lives could be.

When he’s not busy doing demos and servicing clients, Keith enjoys playing golf, collecting fine wine, reading and playing more golf!

“It was a pleasure to work with Keith; he provided the needed info clearly and concisely and was more than willing to provide the referrals necessary to insure our continued partnership for the next year, overcoming a proposed change to the competition. Keith should be considered a valued asset to your operation.” Rita Norman, Holiday Inn Hotel – Odessa

What our customers say for us

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

We’re very fortunate to have amazing and loyal customers. They work hard every day to successfully manage their businesses and service their guests. They’ve come to us looking for a hospitality management software solution that not only meets their needs, but exceeds their expectations. We work hard to comply.

We like talking about our software with our customers, prospective users and the industry in general. We could go on and on about all of the wonderful things our software does, and all of the amazing features that make managing operation easier than ever, but we’d rather let our customers do it for us. They willingly share their ideas and their suggestions for product enhancements, and they even share their approval. Below is a short list of some of the nice things our customers have to say to us and about us.

After researching several software products, we chose ReServe Interactive because of the focus and attention to detail the software places on booking Events. It will allow us to streamline our processes and serve our customers more efficiently.-  James LaMontagne, Johnny’s Halfshell

ReServe Interactive software has been an integral part of our success. In just six months we were able to nearly double our sales, and have decided to implement ReServe at all of our locations. – Audrey Joyner, BB King’s Blues Club

I just love ReServe. It is so user friendly and I have worked on many different systems and this is the best by far.- Brenda Brandt, Bellamere Winery

ReServe is by far the BEST reservation/TM software I have ever used. I’ve used many different programs and nothing compares! ReServe can basically run the restaurant for me. I would gladly recommend ReServe to others. - Rick Roberts, The Melting Pot – Tucson

The software is great! We love it!- Cathy Jacobson, Bice Ristorante – Orlando

ReServe is still a very slick, easy system. I can get 15 proposals done in ReServe in the same amount of time it used to take me to do one or two.- Lisa Reliford, U.S. Senate and Capital Visitor’s Center

As a former Delphi user, I find ReServe to be much easier to use, and I especially like the way the customer contact system works.-  Sulema Kiekintveld, Wild Fire Grille

I LOVE the software! I’m not very savvy when it comes to computers, but ReServeis so easy to use! It keeps me very organized, and the time I save allows me to focus on bringing in new business and making sure that our events happen flawlessly.- Maritza Stabile, Mistral Restaurant & Bar

Introducing…Ron R. Goodell, VP & Chief Customer Relations Officer

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Ron Goodell, our Vice President & Chief Customer Relations Officer. Ron has occupied a seat on the Board of Directors for ReServe Interactive since 1996, and joined us full-time in 1999 after spending three years as the Executive Chef at the Bellevue Club in Oakland, California. There, he managed kitchen operations and fine-tuned his computer experience in restaurant management applications.

Prior to that, Ron spent five years at Wente Vineyards Winery and Restaurant as the Executive Chef for Catering and Conference Services. Ron was frequently chosen to represent Wente Bros. nationally and internationally at food and wine expositions. Throughout his career in the hospitality industry, Ron has been an early adopter of technology, understanding the competitive edge it can bring to an organization.

Ron is a graduate of the Mitchell Technical Institute. He also graduated with high honors from the California Culinary Academy, and was selected the top California Culinary Student in 1989. He serves as an officer of the company and is a member of its Board of Directors.

Ron brings a unique perspective to our organization with his in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry and his expertise in technology applications. He serves an important role in assisting our customers and driving the product and technical support team to provide the highest levels of service.

What’s the buzz about?

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

There’s been a lot of buzz around the office lately. Not idle chit chat or water cooler talk, but rather the buzz of productivity and communication.  Ideas are being generated at lightning speed. Collaboration is taking place around every corner. Phones are ringing, problems are being solved. Keyboards are clicking and enhancements are being made. There is progress in the air and it’s electric.

These are the days that energize and delight. With each new idea and every conversation, we are moving forward, building and expanding, reaching and resolving.

Optimism abounds, not just within our walls, but across the hospitality industry as experts speak of “turn-arounds” and economic upswings. Restaurateurs, caterers and F&B professionals are looking ahead and experimenting with new ways of doing business, unique growth strategies and powerful innovations. Everyone is focused on success and determined to come out of the darkness with spirit intact.

We are proud partners of this passionate and resilient industry. And as I listen to the latest buzz in the halls of ReServe Interactive, I am excited about what the future will bring.

Introducing…. Leslie Phillips, Implementation & Training Consultant

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Today, I’d like to introduce you to another member of our training team. Leslie Phillips. Leslie joined us in August of 2006 on a part-time basis and became full-time in January of 2010. Throughout her tenure with us, Leslie has been responsible for implementing new accounts, conducting beginning and advanced training classes, writing training materials, and handling customer support calls. She has also traveled to customer locations to host on-site training sessions.

Originally from Washington, Leslie moved to California in 1988 after graduating from Eastern Washington University. Today, she is an extremely busy single mom raising two teenagers. She’s an active volunteer at the high school and enjoys playing, as well as watching sports with her kids. Leslie also loves to travel and read, and brings the passion and enthusiasm she displays in her personal life into her professional life with ReServe.

“Leslie Phillips was the most welcoming, unintimidating, software support person that I have spoken to in a while. Very knowledgeable and has a wonderful bed side manner.”  Kristen Childs, Reynolds Plantation.

ANNOUNCING RESERVE VERSION 2010 SPRING

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

We’re pleased to announce ReServe Interactive software version 2010 Spring. This is the first of two releases scheduled for 2010, and it includes a series of new convenience features and platform enhancements designed to further improve our customer’s software and service experience.

Most importantly, more than ninety percent of the updates included in this release are based on direct customer input and were incorporated to meet current industry needs and requirements. We are constantly taking input from our customers so that the product we deliver consistently meets their exact and ever-changing needs. As an organization, we have employees with extensive experience in the hospitality industry so we are aware of the challenges our customers face on a daily basis. But it is our customers’ open and candid input, suggestions and recommendations that help us to further develop the product in such a way that all of its features are relevant and integral to their operations.

This latest release includes customer requested enhancements to our Catering & Event Management and Dining Reservation & Table Management modules. And we’ve added several new features including a PCI compliance package that allows customers to easily and securely accept credit cards; ReServe University, an all-inclusive training and support tool; and ReServeIT/ReQuestIT Web 2.0, a powerful new platform for processing dining reservations and event inquiries via the Internet.

But our work is not done here. We are already working on our next release which is scheduled to go live in the Fall of 2010.  We are constantly reviewing our offering, talking to our customers, gathering their input and putting everything into the development pipeline.  We’ll never stop enhancing our product offering and we will always partner with our customers to do so.

Introducing….Lynn McGlynn, Implementation & Training Coordinator

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Lynn McGlynn joined us on a part-time basis in 1999 managing customer implementations and property profile customizations. In 2000, on-site training was added to her list of responsibilities. She successfully balanced her time with ReServe and raising four daughters over the next four years. When our new West Coast offices opened, Lynn moved with us and helped with most aspects of the business, including taking product and technical support calls. As our business grew, she made the move into technical support and learned how to install ReServe Desktop to Microsoft Networks.

Just prior to the introduction of ReServe Anywhere®, we added additional staff and Lynn was able to transition back to product and customer support. And finally, in the fall of 2008, Lynn made the move back into product implementation, training and support. Today, she is one of our longest tenured employees and an important part of the team.

Outside of work, Lynn is a busy mom juggling meals, homework, extra-curricular activities, sports and housework. She also serves as a personal assistant, senior secretary if you will, to her husband who is a culinary instructor at a local junior college. In her free time, Lynn likes to play hard as an avid hiker and beachcomber. She comes from a very close family and travels to Southern Oregon to be with them as often as she can.

“Lynn surpasses my expectations every time I need her assistance. She goes above and beyond with every request.” Elizabeth McGlinn, One Atlantic

Announcing ReServe University

Friday, March 19th, 2010

This month, we’re excited to launch ReServe University. We’ve been working on this feature for awhile and it’s finally ready to share with our customers. ReServe University is a new tool for support subscribers that gives them access to all of the training and support services we offer, including a Training Library, Classroom, Help Desk and Support Resources area.

From day one, we’ve wanted our customers to get the most out of their software. Now, with ReServe University, our customers can easily take advantage of our comprehensive training offering. Everyone from hosts to catering sales managers, users in all areas of operations, can get advanced training for each of our software modules, including specific product features.

From downloadable documents and presentations to recorded webinars and interactive training sessions, our users will haveeverything they need; in addition to the one-on-one training and support we’ve always provided, to unlock the full potential of their ReServe Interactive experience.

How lucky are we?

Monday, March 15th, 2010

We launched ReServe Interactive in 1996. Our mission and vision were clear and our long-term goals were set. And then, as luck would have it, we were joined by employees who dedicated their time and expertise to helping us grow the company. In our early days, when money was tight and we were all doing the jobs of 3 or 4 people, these individuals worked extra hours, some unpaid, to get the business moving and our customers up and running. And now, 14 years later, many of those same employees are still with us.

We have larger offices now, the hours are little less crazy and business is growing and going strong – and it’s because of their dedication to our mission. We’ve worked hard over the years to build a culture of loyalty, both customer loyalty and employee loyalty, and that culture has been firmly established. We care about and take care of our employees, and our employees care about and offer exemplary service to our customers. That’s why they’re loyal and that’s why we’re successful.

Over the next several months, we’ll be introducing you to the ReServe Interactive family – our services and support team, the product development staff, the sales group and everyone in between. We look forward to sharing more about the people who have made us who we are today – what they do for ReServe, what they like to do in life, and what our customers are saying about them.

We’ve been lucky to have them as part of our organization and we’re eager to share their stories with you.