Digital menu boards have revolutionized how restaurants display their offerings, providing dynamic and eye-catching presentations. However, like any technology, they can sometimes experience downtime. This article explores the reasons behind digital menu board outages and provides practical solutions for when they occur.
Why Do Digital Menu Boards Go Down?
- Power Failures: Unexpected power outages or surges can cause digital menu boards to shut off or malfunction.
- Hardware Issues: Problems with the display screens, media players, or other hardware components can lead to system failures.
- Software Glitches: Bugs in the menu board software or operating system can cause unexpected shutdowns or display errors.
- Network Connectivity Problems: Many digital menu boards rely on internet or local network connections to update content. Network issues can disrupt their functionality.
- Content Management System (CMS) Errors: Problems with the CMS that manages and pushes content to the boards can result in display issues or complete outages.
- Product Malfunction: Like it or not, out-of-the-box failures happen with sensitive electronic equipment.
What to Do When Digital Menu Boards Go Down
- Have a Backup Plan. Keep a few printed menus on hand as a quick substitute. Customers like to see their options, so being able to provide printed menus will empower them rather than asking your team to give them ideas or hoping the customer remembers your menu. Also, with all of the technology in the restaurant, it is a great idea to have a backup power supply (UPS) for short-term power outages to keep all of your electronics up.
- Perform a Quick Diagnostic. Check power connections and ensure the system is receiving electricity. If the boards are internet-dependent, verify network connectivity. Even quick internet outages can cause glitches in electronics.
- Attempt a Restart. You know what the tech support guy always asks, "Did you reboot?" Often, a simple restart of the system can resolve minor software glitches.
- Contact Technical Support: Ensure you post your digital menu board provider's support line somewhere visible so the on-shift team can call them. Train your staff to be ready to answer the questions the support team is likely to ask, including:
- What is the exact error you are receiving?
- Can you give me the IP address of the screen?
- What is the screen's serial number?
- When did this problem start?
- What was happening when it started (they will want to know if there was any anomaly like a big electrical storm or widespread internet outage in your area).
- Communicate with Customers. Inform customers about the temporary issue and provide alternative ways to view the menu (e.g., handheld menus, QR codes linking to online menus).
- Regular Maintenance. Implement a routine maintenance schedule to prevent issues before they occur. Commercial-grade screens are designed for heavy uptime, but they should be rebooted occasionally. Grease and heat will probably be present in a restaurant environment. Ensure the screen vents are clean and the power and internet connections are sound. In addition, keep software and firmware up to date. You will have to get with the screen provider to do this.
- Train Key Staff Members in the CMS. If the failure is due to a glitch in the content management system, your team should have a basic knowledge of the software to fix it.
- Invest upfront in a warranty. We highly recommend investing in a white-glove warranty for outdoor screens, but the standard manufacturer warranty is usually sufficient for indoor screens.
Printed menu boards can degrade over time, but they will usually always display your menu, even if sun-faded or outdated. Digital menus can go black, not because the technology is bad, but because there are so many variables that can interrupt service. By understanding the potential causes of digital menu board outages and having a plan, restaurants can minimize disruptions and maintain a smooth dining experience for their customers. Remember, while technology offers numerous benefits, it's always wise to have a reliable backup system in place.