Meet Zonal Hospitality Systems Inc.

Zonal Hospitality Systems Inc. is the UK’s largest provider of software and hardware solutions for the hospitality industry. With a reputation for delivering reliable and innovative products, Zonal has been a cornerstone of the sector, helping businesses streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the market. In response to the global changes brought about by the pandemic, Zonal recognised the need to evolve its technology offerings and partnered with CreateFuture to bring its vision to life.

"Working with CreateFuture has breathed fresh confidence into our business. They’re not just our digital delivery partner, they’re an extension of our team."

Richard Hammond

CEO, Zonal Hospitality Systems Inc. (USA)

Zonal logo

The brief

With the hospitality industry facing significant disruption, Zonal needed to innovate quickly to maintain its market leadership. The brief was to develop a new suite of digital products that not only met current industry needs but also anticipated future demands. This included enhancing Zonal’s core platform, developing a new POS (Point of Sale) app, and ensuring that their internal teams were equipped to manage and evolve these technologies independently.

 A coffee shop employee taking an electronic payment from a customer over the counter.

The challenge

The hospitality industry’s fast-paced nature and the challenges posed by the pandemic required Zonal to rethink its digital strategy. The challenge was to deliver products that were both innovative and user-friendly, providing hospitality businesses with the tools they needed to succeed in a rapidly changing environment. Additionally, Zonal needed to enhance the capabilities of their internal teams to ensure the long-term sustainability and adaptability of their technology solutions.

A group of colleagues sitting around a coffee table looking at a laptop. One of them is holding a notebook Two colleagues standing at a table, chatting and writing notes in a notebook

The solution

Vision

CreateFuture embraced Zonal’s vision for the future by collaborating closely to shape the next generation of its digital products. This partnership focused on aligning immediate delivery goals with long-term strategic objectives. Together, we meticulously crafted digital solutions that not only addressed current market demands but also laid the groundwork for future innovations. This approach ensured that Zonal’s products remained relevant and impactful, even as industry conditions evolved.

Prototyping

To meet the dynamic needs of the hospitality industry, CreateFuture implemented a rapid prototyping approach. This agile methodology was key in developing Zonal’s new POS app, enabling us to iterate quickly and refine the product based on user feedback. This process ensured that the app exceeded customer expectations in both functionality and user experience, allowing for swift deployment of updates and improvements in response to the industry’s ever-evolving demands.

Usability

A significant overhaul of Zonal’s core platform, Aztec 2, was undertaken to enhance its functionality and user experience. The redesign focused on creating a more intuitive and streamlined interface, ensuring that the platform was not only visually appealing but also easy to navigate and operate. This update provided a unified user experience across Zonal’s diverse client services, elevating Aztec 2 to new standards of operational excellence in the hospitality sector.

Upskilling

Beyond delivering software solutions, CreateFuture played a crucial role in upskilling Zonal’s engineering teams. By imparting essential skills and knowledge, we ensured that Zonal’s team could manage, maintain, and evolve their tech stack independently. This empowerment was critical in supporting Zonal’s commitment to continuous innovation and maintaining its technological leadership in the hospitality industry.

A tablet on a counter displaying a successful payment message.

The outcome

CreateFuture successfully developed a multifunctional POS app within three months, advanced Zonal’s rapid prototyping capabilities, and delivered significant improvements to its core platform, Aztec 2. These efforts not only enhanced Zonal’s product offerings but also upskilled their internal teams, ensuring sustained excellence in technology management and innovation. Together, these advancements positioned Zonal to continue leading the hospitality industry with confidence.

 

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