Bringing the Food & Beverage Industry Online — SESTRA Smart

Bringing the Food & Beverage Industry Online: How Venues are Embracing IoT-Connected Solutions

We live in an increasingly connected world. From Internet of Things (IoT) devices in our homes to connected Point of Sale (POS) platforms in retail, smart technology is helping people and businesses become more efficient. Sestra Systems, based in Sterling, Virginia, has partnered with IMI Agency to bring the latest in software-forward, connected solutions to the food and beverage service industry. The company’s cloud-based platform provides unprecedented control over access and dispensing, insights into behavior and trends, and integrations with a host of other systems. Sestra addresses the entire venue – whether large or small, self-serve or behind the bar – on one common platform. TapWise™ from Sestra turns any draft system into a connected solution with programmed portion control, integrations with other systems, and real-time analytics and alerts.

WHY CONNECTED SOLUTIONS ARE TAKING HOLD

To Address the Venue Holistically

There is a variety of products emerging in the market that collect information but oftentimes they have a narrow application, and the data remains siloed. Sestra’s solution dispenses any product from a variety of containers and dispensers - from wine in kegs and liquor in bottles to hot coffee in urns. Their platform is different in the way it provides a common hub for information from systems throughout the venue to create a full picture of service and operations. Multi-stream analysis in the end-to-end system ensures the perfect dispensing conditions and control.

To Increase Revenue and Profits

Food & beverage services often suffer from loss, both on the inventory and sales side. According to Sestra, a single ounce of overpour on a glass of wine loses a venue 20 percent of revenue on that bottle and a couple of ounces of overpour on a glass of beer can cost thousands of dollars per year. Replacing manual practices with IoT-connected solutions eliminates multiple forms of loss from theft to overpouring. Sestra’s TapWise™ solution uses a patented Pour Control System to electronically control every aspect of dispensing. Technology throughout the line protects quality while hands-free dispensing increases speed of service and real-time alerts prevent costly interruptions. Venues can increase their yield, selling more while purchasing less inventory

To Enhance the Guest Experience

By dispensing virtually hands-free, Sestra frees up servers to concentrate on their guests. They can engage and create a memorable experience. Faster service also helps venues to better manage queues. Installing Sestra’s Smart Dispensing™ solution also allows venues to link food and beverage dispensing directly to tailored apps, loyalty programs, promotions, and more, creating a unified experience for guests. And for those properties without full-service bars, “Sestra Mobile Bars create an experience where staff can engage guests for complimentary or retail service around the clock,” according to Sestra’s COO, Kim AuBuchon.

Likely the most important feature for revenue managers is Sestra’s cloud-based analytics engine, which can report on pours, keg changes and other important beverage data. Sestra’s Smart Dispensing™ platform creates a centralized hub and allows users to combine streams of data to analyze and automate controls over dispensing, access, ordering, and more. Another important feature is Sestra’s Remote Station Manager (RSM), which makes it easy to lock and unlock taps from anywhere using a mobile phone. “For example, it’s easy to program 8-oz. cold-brew coffee to begin flowing for morning lobby service, while the beer and wine taps stay locked until happy hour,” AuBuchon said. “Preventing unauthorized access to taps, especially in high-traffic spaces, adds needed security.”

BRINGING TECHNOLOGY INTO FOOD & BEVERAGE DISPENSING

Future-proof Solutions

“We are a software-driven company focused on solving problems in food and beverage dispensing that traditional hardware companies can’t address,” explained Sestra’s CEO, Lev Volftsun. Sestra’s solution is the most versatile in the industry. They are constantly working on additions and improvements to the TapWise™ platform. “Last year, we launched Sestra’s Next Gen, which upgrades and expands our solution with more controls, insights, and integrations while introducing touchless dispensing and expanding into new dispensing applications,” said AuBuchon. “We’ve also entered into key third-party partnerships to expand our ecosystem. We’re looking forward to continuing our innovative spirit this year.”

Dispensing as a Service

Quality food and beverage service starts long before the product is dispensed. Sestra’s team of industry experts also offers program evaluations, design consultations, training certifications, and ROI evaluations.

Once a venue decides that TapWise™ is the right solution for its beverage needs, AuBuchon said that Sestra “works closely with them from start to finish to create the best solution and to deliver value long after the taps go live.” She also noted that there is a dedicated support team customers can reach out to. “We build our product through conversation with clients to solve the real problems they’re facing,” AuBuchon said. “And the effectiveness of that shows in the results they see. For example, at the W hotel in Washington, DC, with 151 taps serving a variety of beverages in the recently renovated property, Garth Welsh, Director of Beverage and Food for the hotel, told us, ‘I love the fact that, at the push of a button, whichever bar you’re at, you’re going to get the exact same drink. Key people within my company come through, see the system, and are blown away by it.’”