.svg){kind=icon}
Exploring Key Trends In Cinema Software
Keeping up with technology today is no easy task: the world of software is abundant with products and services, making it difficult for anyone to find the ideal solution for their needs. Nevertheless, the right software can be the catalyst for growth and enhancing patron loyalty. Our blog aims to dive into some underlined trends, you should keep an eye on, before choosing the next software for your cinema operations.
- Data Intelligent Software
In the corporate environment, if we take a look at the difference between the mindset of an employee and an entrepreneur in what drives an organization forward, an employee looks to fulfill responsibilities and prioritizes assigned tasks. In contrast, an entrepreneur analyzes information to make strategic decisions for an organization. Similarly, the same idea can be applied to an organization's software. You can either choose software to handle only basic day to day operations, or you could choose a more capable solution that analyzes data to help you make more productive decisions.
Software integrated with powerful data analytical capabilities can help your cinema collect and organize information from various aspects of your operations, whether onsite or online, You can go beyond basic information not just ticket sales. With deeper insights, you can understand the average spending per head and what time of the day has the most sales. In addition, You can analyze your patron’s behavior patterns such as data from their engagement with loyalty programs, their preferred seat selections, or what concessions they like and their demographics.
If you’d like to analyze kitchen performance, you can also find out preparation times for specific food items, as well as the cost incurred per concession item, etc. Additionally, you can take your CRM to the next level and even track customer preferences and segment audiences to assist in personalizing communication for each of your patron's individual needs. The next step would be leveraging AI to take advantage of automation and predictability features to use the data more efficiently.
- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
Data analytics and AI are often integrated, which can help cinemas streamline multiple functions through automation. For instance, with data from your patrons preferences, you can facilitate upselling and cross-selling through emails or push notifications and increase engagement from personalized marketing activities.
Moreover, through AI, you can also take advantage of predictability features to forecast demand trends, An example would be that you can optimize staffing resources accordingly and avoid overstaffing or understaffing situations. You can also predict demand for popular concession items and maintain adequate inventory levels to avoid out of stock situations. As a result, your cinema can maintain consistent sales volumes during on and off-peak seasons.
- Industry Specific Solution
Look for an industry-specific solution, such as an ERP (enterprise resource planning) or more specifically for the cinema industry, a cinema software solution. What separates them from other options, is that they are designed to handle particular challenges and the unique needs of cinemas in any region. A solution like CINEsync provides a myriad of offerings that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of any cinema. Such as a POS system, KIOSK solution, signage, web and mobile applications for either iOS or Android devices and the list goes on. Hence, an all-encompassing solution that facilitates every need of your cinema in the most effective and productive approach.
- Go For Cloud Software
When choosing cinema software, a cloud solution offers numerous benefits for both independent cinemas and cinema circuits. For one, unlike traditional IT infrastructure tied to specific hardware, robust cloud cinema software offers the freedom to manage a wide range of tasks remotely: Any changes made from the centralized back office, whether it’s to change content for your signage screens or update your movie schedule at a specific location, the data is instantly updated across all relevant devices in real time, creating an efficient and flexible workflow to handle daily operations.
- A User Experience That Speaks
The cinema industry is highly competitive. Patrons have multiple options to choose from and sometimes what influences their decision isn't mere loyalty rewards, sometimes it’s their interaction with a cinema and how engaging the user experience is on all channels.
The experience can happen at the kiosk, web or mobile applications, or even when your patrons arrive at the location and your cinema recognizes their interests and tailors recommendations accordingly. Whether it's their preferred seating arrangements, movie preferences, or taste for food and drinks, your cinema can use data to offer a personalized experience that can contribute to your patrons feeling valued with your cinema.
Moreover, Apple and Samsung have fanbases returning to them yearly for their mobile devices. Whilst not having any significant upgrades, iOS and One UI devices are well regarded for their simple and attractive user interfaces, which constantly improve. The same applies to your cinema. CINEsync’s intuitive interfaces not only provides a satisfying and engaging experience for your patrons but also a simplified workflow environment, making the software convenient and easy for users on all technical levels.
- Enhanced Kitchen And Restaurant Operations
Cinemas today have come a long way from only offering what's on the screen and some popcorn. Nowadays, diversifying their offerings is one of the minimum requirements to stay ahead of the competition and this leaves no room for any kind of cinema software that does not meet the growing demands of the cinema.
Whether your patrons place orders at the POS, concession stand, Self-checkout KIOSK, at the website, or through the mobile app, CINEsync provides a synchronized experience to manage tickets and concessions sales seamlessly at any channel.
The orders will be processed instantly and can be sent to the kitchen display and printers at the right sequence. Additionally, CINEsync offers a kitchen management feature, where patrons can easily set up concession preparation times for when they would like to receive their order, either 15 minutes before the movie or between breaks during long sessions or even be prepared for takeaway. Thus, avoiding the problem of handling multiple orders all at once and minimizing wait times and long queues more efficiently.
It doesn't stop here, CINEsync can help your cinema provide patrons with instant updates on their orders, wired through SMS, initiating a modern communication experience for your patrons.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, from an industry oriented solution to operating on the cloud and providing an all encompassing ecosystem, cloud cinema software has more to offer and these trends are only part of a list that's constantly evolving and getting better. Investing in a solution like CINEsync would ensure your movie theater aligns with the future needs of the industry and prepares your theater for the inevitable growth of cinema technology.
