Embed, a leading worldwide supplier of point-of-sale and revenue management systems, has shared stories from a small selection of its 1,000 customers in the FEC and gaming arcade sector that are recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
With the prospect of COVID-19 restrictions being eased in many territories, many consumers are on making up for lost time, fulfilling their desire for experiences and social interaction with increased expenditure at entertainment venues, without having to compromise safety.
Likewise, operators are transitioning from “survival mode”, as the crowds return, but FEC owners and operators may have to cater to guests who have adapted to the pandemic‘s low-touch, contactless economy. Consumers in 2022 now expect quick, safe, and efficient transactions as standard in many environments.
This change requires upgrades that can provide real-time visibility and results, minimise touchpoints, and free up staff manpower without a compromise on customer experience.
No small change
Chris Donner and his wife Jennifer Donner met Embed at IAAPA Orlando in 2021, allowing their venue, Game Over Arcade, in Oregon, US to make the shift from quarters to card readers. Providing more revenue control, the change also reduced maintenance costs by reducing issues such as coin jams in machines.
Utilising Embed’s smartTOUCH arcade debit game card readers, the integrations have also provided the Donners with opportunities to spend more time off-site, easing management of their business. They say that instead of fearing theft by carrying thousands to the bank each day, going cashless has removed hurdles to profitability, solved their potential security issue, and eased operations.
Safe play
FEC Scary Strokes in Maryland, US were looking for an all-in-one solution for its activities, which include VR games, mini-golf and prize redemption. After conducting research into different card systems, president and CEO Doug Roth chose to switch to Embed. The package provided everything the attraction needed, including kiosks, card readers, POS and redemption systems.
In addition, Scary Strokes adopted Embed’s award-winning Mobile Wallet product.
The product meant that even during the height of the pandemic, the firm ensured it had real-time operations visibility and COVID-19 contact tracing capabilities.
A virtual game card now allows guests to play and reload their accounts from their phones, keeping them safe and engaged in the experience.
Atlantis Casino Resort in Nevada, US had the choice to switch to another cashless solutions provider during the pandemic, but manager Billy Tiehm decided to continue benefiting from Embed.
The leisure destination, which has partnered with the tech firm since 2008, has utilised smart reporting from the software GURU, smartTOUCH debit game card readers, and the PRIZES redemption system. Tiehm has future plans to upgrade its VIP loyalty program to Embed’s RFID wearable media.
Embed is also utilised by other large establishments and chains such as Dave & Buster’s, Fun Land, Ticket Time, and Zone Out Arcade, where the company has helped enable growth and scalability to future-proof their businesses.
Aiding the customer transition
As shown with these case studies, the FEC sector is using reinvention as a tool to cater for changing consumer trends. Businesses which have defied what Embed calls “pandemic paralysis” have been able to do so with the assistance of investing in enhanced systems. Embed says its customers have benefitted from “long-running industry leadership, breakthrough tech innovations, data, and outstanding results”.
CEO Renee Welsh concludes “2020 has tested our industry in ways that no one could have imagined. Consumers demand a low-touch, contactless, and cashless society now. I am beyond proud of the powerful demonstration of our commitment to our customers’ and the industry’s recovery.
“Now, we are happy to be a part of our customers’ transition to reinventing their business into an FEC of the future with only the latest in breakthrough innovations.”
Embed recently celebrated its successful attendance at IAAPA Expo in Orlando, US, where it revealed two new product innovations during the international show.
