October 2023 New

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LEDFlex Press Release Project: Vida Beach Resort Marassi-Al-Bahrain

The elevations of Vida Beach Resort fixtures from the LEDFlex range. Marassi-Al-Bahrain come alive with vitality, courtesy of the exceptional exterior

Umaya Lighting Design, experts in light planning and specification in the Mena region, worked in tandem with the LEDFlex supplying partner Huda Lighting , the design intent was executed seamlessly and in tune with the vision of the designers and architects.

In addressing the project's requirements, LEDFlex's flagship highefficiency Eco Flex IP67 in combination with Recessed Rigid Profile 1709 were specified by the Lighting Designer. These selections perfectly complemented the dynamic exterior design, where the application of a warm white tone to the masonry detailing orchestrated a seamless transition of the façade's ambiance from the tranquillity of dusk to the captivating allure of nighttime to this novel addition of the Bahrain nightscape.

The designer's specification of LEDFlex in the lighting scheme was a strategic choice, fueled by the resort's eminent status. Nestled within a premier tourist enclave, the resort boasts a unique flair that captivates the gaze, accentuated by the placement of linear luminaires. These luminaires are thoughtfully arranged in audacious geometric configurations, culminating in a resounding visual testament to architectural style.

The aesthetics of exterior lighting play a pivotal role in crafting the initial impression for guests. Vida's inviting and visually captivating facade exudes a charming allure, setting the stage to warmly welcome visitors into a realm of luxury experiences. As an esteemed upscale lifestyle brand, Vida stands as a sanctuary for the next generation of entrepreneurial minds to stay, play and connect., LEDFlex took immense pleasure in contributing its linear lighting elements to.

Elstead Lighting 2024 catalogues available to download

Elstead Lighting have just released their 2024 collection. This 1000-page master catalogue is separated into Interior and Exterior sections and captures over 300 new models launched in the last 12 months.

Elstead has a comprehensive collection with something to suit all styles, sizes and budgets. From stunning chandeliers and pendants to exceptional portables and stylish ceiling fans, there are many great lighting options for hospitality interiors. For outdoor living and patio areas there is a wide selection of traditional or modern lanterns and lamp posts, including a great range of bollards to light up car parking areas and pathways. With almost 55 years of manufacturing lighting products, Elstead now offers an extra ordinary collection of decorative interior and exterior fittings for the hospitality sector.

They are proud to sell products to a truly worldwide audience, lighting beautiful hotels, restaurants, and coffee bars in more than 50 countries.

Head-quartered in the UK, Elstead now have sales and distribution subsidiaries in Ireland, Poland, France, Germany and Dubai, so that they can service turnkey projects more efficiently.

For more information or to request a catalogue contact: enquires@elsteadlighting.com or Tel: 01420 82377 or visit: www.elsteadlighting.com

Leverage the potential of innovative POS Technology

In response to the huge technological shift in recent years when it comes to dine-in, delivery and takeaway, venues are under pressure to meet ever greater demand for convenience, choice and flexible ordering in an increasingly digital landscape. In order to thrive in what has become a progressively challenging operating environment, businesses can take advantage of unique and flexible solutions by investing in innovative POS technology and software tools.

Without a doubt, consumption habits are changing and eroding traditional ordering patterns. Moreover, the ubiquity of ordering platforms and delivery services is making consumers increasingly discerning in terms of the ordering systems they choose to use. With food and beverages being ordered on mobile apps or Click & Collect sites, the hospitality industry has had to adapt and turn to technologies in order to facilitate the shift. On the upside, this has provided new opportunities for operators to diversify and boost revenue.

Flexible and innovative Cloud technology allows businesses to successfully address challenges and opportunities in an omnichannel world. The rise in online ordering across multiple channels is resulting in greater demand for Cloud technologies such as Star CloudPRNT™. Available across a variety of Star thermal receipt and label printers as well as matrix kitchen printers, Star provides the largest range of multi-platform remote Cloud receipt and online ordering printers available today.

In particular, Star’s mC-Print™ series with built-in CloudPRNT technology is capable of printing remote orders and local print jobs via USB, LAN or Bluetooth connectivity for both mobile and fixed POS. Further demonstrating its versatility, this printer can be used both front of house and in the kitchen thanks to its IPX2 splashproof design and buzzer feature.

As the rise in online ordering across multiple channels is resulting in greater demand for self-service kiosks for ordering food and beverages, a printer that is equipped for remote printing of customer collection and delivery orders directly from a web server to connected printers located anywhere is a key requirement. Moreover, with remote functionality the printer can be managed from any location. Easy to install and maintain, the packaged mC-Print with its range of connectivity options provides a versatile solution for a variety of kiosk applications.

For labelling, the ability to print different sized and types of labels from one easy-to-use device including variable length food and allergy labels, nutrition information as well as food delivery labels and bag seals from web-based apps or local services is essential. The Star mC-Label printer offers the ideal solution.

With customer orders sent directly to the printer from an online ordering service or app, Star CloudPRNT increases order accuracy and eliminates the need for an additional tablet in the restaurant or bar. Moreover, Star CloudPRNT enabled printers are able to receive orders from multiple channels including fixed POS systems, Mobile Devices and Tablets, Networked as well as Cloud based systems which results in an efficient ordering and transaction process for any hospitality business.

For venues that prefer a fully managed CloudPRNT service, Star has introduced StarPrinter.Online, a dedicated service for businesses to manage the printer estate with minimal setup time and cost as well as near zero integration.

Within minutes the receipt, label or order printer is connected to the online ordering system and can receive orders from a wide range of locations, allowing printing direct from an ordering website or even via email; order emails can be forwarded directly to the chef’s printer for preparation.

Providing enhanced online visibility of connectivity and print jobs, the service offers device management via an online dashboard to equip venues with an overview of all devices and activity including reliable tracking of print jobs with notification of device status changes, barcode scans, new device connections to a group, etc. Additional printers and peripherals can simply be added without the need for server upgrades, further enhancing the versatility of the service.

With no restrictions imposed by cabling and local networks, or limited Bluetooth ranges, StarPrinter.Online provides businesses worldwide with a central point to receive and manage orders anywhere with Internet access from customers using any kind of device in any location.

Star partners with a wide range of hospitality software companies globally who have integrated Star CloudPRNT technology. Dil Hussain, CEO at UK-based hospitality software provider Dines, explains how the technology helps to expand their offering to venues and the key benefits it provides: “With StarPrinter.Online, our clients are no longer limited to local networking and short ranged Bluetooth connections. Whatever their setup, wherever they may be in the world, StarPrinter.Online can support them. It's never been easier to manage orders, no matter which channel they come from, and we have seen this technology thrive in a range of venues. With data on printer status, jobs in the queue, last online timestamps (and even if there's a paper jam!), debugging issues and managing multiple printers, completely online, is now effortless thanks to StarPrinter.Online.”

Star’s experienced technical and integration teams can provide tailored advice for venues of all sizes. For more information, visit www.Star-EMEA.com or call +44 (0)1494 471111.

Inclusive Hospitality, Raising Awareness

According to recent research 71% of guests with disabilities believe more needs to be done to address a lack of accessibility in the hospitality industry.

If that alone doesn’t inspire a hotel to change, then the potential incentives might. The expenditure for people with disabilities and their travel companions is a staggering £15.3 billion per year.

So why is the industry dragging its heels when it comes to catering for this market?

Well, put simply, many underestimate its value. Others wrongly assume th`at any necessary adjustments will be expensive, disruptive, or difficult- but they’re wrong. In actual fact, one of the most effective changes you can make is simply training staff to gain disability awareness.

We know that a lack of accessible hotel rooms is a big problem, but it is far from the only one. In a hotel, a large part of the guest experience is dictated by the people you employ. Research has already proven that hotel staff training is below par, when 58% of respondents with disabilities, reported that hotel staff were not knowledgeable enough about accessibility needs. Even understanding the limitations of your hotel and the needs you cannot currently meet is helpful to potential customers, (better to turn down a booking you cannot meet than deal with upset people who have been effectively mis-sold an experience).

As well as being a solution to this problem, awareness training boosts empathy, enhances etiquette and develops the communication skills of staff. In fact, awareness is the essential starting block for becoming an inclusive establishment, as without it, all of the hotel’s other efforts are made in vain.

For example, you can invest in accessible toilets, wet rooms, ramps and accessible lifts, but if the mindset of your team is wrong, guests with disabilities won’t come in the first place -and if they do, they probably won’t return.

67% of the UK public admitted to feeling awkward communicating with people with disabilities, so you need to be confident that your staff do aren’t in that group, that they are knowledgeable and aware of disability and know how to communicate effectively in any scenario.

We provide hotels with training packages to do just that, creating bespoke programmes developed and facilitated by people who have disabilities themselves as well as hotel audit visits, to help assess the main issues and how accessible your environment truly is. We also provide in-house staff training programmes, and interactive online awareness training, all of which are designed to help you provide a more inclusive service, that allows you to reap the rewards of catering for all.