TECHNOLOGY PROFILE The Flow telemetry system shows baristas in a physical form if they’re adhering to the programmed recipe in real-time.
Powered to perform Barista Technology Australia explains how a suite of innovative appliances can support hospitality workers with the ultimate workflow it requires.
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ith small businesses and cafés grappling with staff shortages due to the global pandemic, CEO of Barista Technology Australia Brett Bolwell says automation and devices that improve workflow and product consistency are exactly what staff need to help manage increased workload with fewer available hands. “Democratising the barista experience is fast becoming an essential part of every café, because advanced technology makes the lives of baristas much easier,” says Brett. “With such skill loss in the industry combined with the added responsibility of training new staff, automation tools can increase efficiency, improve consistency, reduce the likelihood of errors, and create a healthier work environment.” Brett says quality and consistency
are key reasons people frequent their favourite café, and automation is what helps achieve this no matter which barista is behind the machine. “After the last few years of isolation, we can all appreciate moments of face-toface interaction. But to have a profitable business, tools must offer assurance of consistent quality and therefore an insurance policy to protect your brand,” he says. While good machinery will make a barista’s job easier, Brett says a skilled barista can always take advantage of all the functions that the machine offers. “They understand coffee extraction and create and troubleshoot recipes. They dial in profiles. They look after the equipment, cleaning machinery and spotting problems. They’re the ones pouring and creating the latte art,” he says. “They also provide excellent customer
service, ensuring that customers are satisfied and return to the shop. They adapt to individual customers’ needs, they cross-sell and up-sell, boosting the café’s profits per transaction. Ultimately, they’re the ones creating that positive shop environment.” To keep that level of engagement, tools such as the Puqpress automatic coffee tamper free the barista from a repetitive and, at times, laborious task of manual tamping. It ensures perfectly compressed coffee grounds and a precisely level tamp every time that improves overall espresso consistency. “The automatic tamper is an important tool, because if you’re not an expert barista, it helps you tamp evenly, it’s useful for proficient baristas, and great for trainees,” Brett says. “If you want perfectly tamped coffee every time, if you have lots of staff who
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