Latest news with #selfservice
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
MARK HALPERIN: Secret bond that unites Trump and the 'communist lunatic' plotting his destruction
They couldn't be more different—or so one might think at first glance. One, the bronzed billionaire of Queens, hair like spun sugar, born with a gold telephone in his hand, whose idea of public service was once described as self-service.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Self-service platform for issuing property title deeds launched
Muscat: In a major stride towards enhancing digital governance and streamlining public services, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has officially launched a new self-service platform for issuing digital property title deeds. The service allows beneficiaries to obtain their title deeds instantly and electronically, eliminating the need for in-person visits to service halls. This initiative marks a significant shift in simplifying procedures. By enabling immediate issuance of ownership documents online, the ministry anticipates reducing the time spent on such services by over 70 per cent and cutting in-person visits by 60 per cent in the first year alone. In addition to efficiency and speed, the initiative aligns with the ministry's sustainability goals. It complements a broader digital transition strategy that includes internal communications, external documentation and now the issuance of secure digital title deeds. Each document is embedded with an electronic verification code, ensuring both accuracy and authenticity. Users can access the traditional version of their property deed through the 'Amlak' platform. Dr Moamen bin Abdullah al Busaidy, Adviser to the Minister for Smart Cities, emphasised the significance of the launch, stating: 'This is a critical step towards a fully digital ownership system. Our ambition is for the majority of the public to adopt electronic title deeds by the end of next year. It will save both time and effort for users, who previously had to physically visit various service locations.' Dr Al Busaidy added that the ministry is currently developing smart services designed to anticipate citizens' needs and deliver information and entitlements proactively — without requiring formal requests. Future enhancements will also enable mobile access to services and real-time interactions with intelligent data systems, further reducing the need to contact support staff directly. Dr Rashid bin Mohammed al Ghilani, CEO of the Oman National Engineering and Investment Company (Oneic), which is partnering with the ministry on the project, commented: 'This strategic collaboration marks a transformative milestone in Oman's digital journey. We are committed to delivering secure and efficient technological solutions that enhance citizen experience and drive public sector innovation. We are proud of the trust placed in us by the ministry and look forward to further partnerships in line with Oman Vision 2040. To maximise accessibility and inclusivity, the new service will gradually be rolled out across more than 300 locations. These include all ministry service halls, Oneic branches and self-service kiosks operating around the clock in all governorates. This expansive rollout is expected to improve operational efficiency and raise customer satisfaction levels to 95 per cent.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major change coming to Australia Post that could see you beat the queues for good
Australia Post is revolutionising how Australians send, receive, and return parcels with the launch of its new, modern-format parcel centres. Designed to ease congestion at traditional post offices, these dedicated hubs will offer 24/7 self-service options and secure, free-to-use parcel lockers available around the clock. Focused exclusively on parcel services, these next-generation centres will not provide banking or other traditional post office functions. Customers can collect or return online purchases around the clock, and trial sites also feature 24/7 accessible vending machines stocked with packaging, stamps and other mailing essentials. Australia Post launched two of its new parcel centres on Tuesday, with the first locations now open in Waterloo in Sydney and Fitzroy in Melbourne. The rollout is set to continue, with the next centres scheduled to open in St Leonards in Sydney and Chadstone in Melbourne, as part of a broader national expansion. The initial locations were chosen based on parcel volume data, local sending and receiving trends, and their proximity to existing Post Offices. Staff will be available on-site between 8am and 6pm, while all self-serve and locker facilities remain accessible at any time. The move comes in response to a surge in parcel volumes, driven largely by the growth of eCommerce and major online shopping events. During the 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Weekend sales alone, Australia Post handled over 100million parcels, a record-breaking increase compared to the previous year. With online shopping showing no signs of slowing, Australia Post says the new parcel-focused model is a necessary step to meet growing demand. The launch of the new parcel centres comes as more turn to the Australia Post app. Over 6.4million people used the app last financial year to track deliveries and access parcel lockers. Australia Post is encouraging shoppers to download the app, especially as scam texts continue to rise.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Pizza Hut to make a HUGE change at all 136 dine-in restaurants with dozens of jobs sliced
PIZZA Hut is rolling out new digital ordering screens across all 136 of its dine-in restaurants, a move that could make over 100 staff members redundant. The pizza chain, which employs 3,000 staff, is set to cut 120 front-end roles as part of the shake-up. 1 The new terminals at the front of restaurants will make it quicker for customers to order. A letter to staff at risk of redundancy said: "Over the coming months we are introducing new customer-facing technologies across our restaurants, including digital ordering through QR codes and the installation of in-store kiosks. "These changes are designed to enhance the customer experience and allow guests to be more self-sufficient when dining with us." Other chains such as Wetherspoons and Nando's have already installed similar screens or offer QR code ordering from the table. Emily Curtis from DC London Pie, which owns Pizza Hut UK's dine-in restaurants, explained that the decision to cut jobs is due to more than 60% of in-store orders now being placed digitally. She said the company has invested heavily in new technologies to keep up with changing customer preferences. "As part of this journey, we are adapting our staffing model, particularly in our front-of-house teams," she added. "While these decisions are never easy, they are necessary to ensure we continue meeting customer expectations and stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. "We are committed to supporting affected team members and will work closely with those impacted to help them find new opportunities within the wider Pizza Hut network." The dine-in arm of the restaurant was rescued by private equity firm Directional Capital, which created DC London Pie Ltd to take over the franchise. Major UK pub chain announces sweeping closures & job losses It saved 3,000 jobs and saw the closure of one restaurant. It is separate to the delivery side of the chain, which is owned by Yum! Brands, the US firm that owns KFC. Pizza Hut first arrived in the UK in 1973 and quickly became a favourite with diners. At its height, the chain operated over 260 restaurants nationwide, employing 10,000 staff and welcoming three million customers each month. Some of its most notable creations include the introduction of the pan pizza in 1980, the stuffed crust in 1995, and the re-launch of the pan pizza as the grand pan in 1998. Pan pizzas are baked in a deep, oil-coated dish, giving the crust a deliciously crispy, golden edge and a lightly fried texture on the bottom. Like many businesses, Pizza Hut faced challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. To manage its financial difficulties, the company entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) - a deal with lenders to cut costs and stay afloat. At the time, Pizza Hut had over 240 locations across the UK but was forced to close 29 branches as part of the restructuring plan. What are my rights if I'm made redundant? YOU are entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you have worked for your employer for two years or more. The statutory rate is based on your age, weekly pay and number of years in the job. You will get: Half a week's pay for each full year you worked aged under 22 One week's pay for each full year you worked aged 22 or older, but under 41 One and half week's pay for each full year you worked while aged 41 or older. You cannot be paid less than the statutory amount. If you were made redundant on or after April 6 2025, your weekly pay is capped at £719 and the maximum statutory redundancy pay you can get is £21,570. The government has a calculator on its website to help you work out how much you are owed. You may get more than this statutory amount if your employer has a redundancy scheme. HOSPITALITY WOES The hospitality sector has struggled to bounce back after the pandemic, facing challenges including soaring energy bills, inflation and staff shortages. In January 2023, Byron Burger fell into administration with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Around 12 branches were saved in a rescue deal with Tristar Foods, which is owned by Calveton. The Restaurant Group (TRG), which owned Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito and Wagamama, shut dozens of sites in the same year. It then went on to sell its Frankie & Bennys and Chiquito brands to Cafe Rouge owner The Big Table group in September 2023. Italian restaurant chain Prezzo also closed dozens of sites in the same year. In April 2024, Tasty, the owners of Italian restaurant Wildwood and Dim T, a pan-Asian restaurant, announced plans to exit 20 loss-making restaurants. In the same month, Whitbread revealed plans to slash its chain of branded restaurants across the UK. Meanwhile, TGI Fridays was forced to close 35 locations immediately after falling into administration last October. However, 51 restaurants were rescued through a last-minute pre-pack deal with private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK.
Travel Daily News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Mews survey reveals: The rise of self-check in hotels
Mews research shows 70% of U.S. travelers prefer digital check-in, highlighting growing demand for self-service, personalization, and frictionless hotel experiences. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – The traditional hotel front desk is no longer a must-stop for modern guests, as revealed by new Mews-commissioned research. Seventy percent of American travelers are likely to check themselves into a hotel using an app or a self-service kiosk instead of a traditional front desk. This preference skyrockets to 82% among Gen Z travelers, signaling a fundamental shift in how guests want to interact with hotels. Self-service isn't just about speed – it's a key driver of guest satisfaction and loyalty. In a survey of 2,000 U.S. travelers, frustrations with traditional hotel operations remain clear: 82% of current hotel loyalty members report pain points with existing systems, including lengthy check-in processes, limited flexibility, and outdated service models that fail to meet modern expectations. 'I founded Mews to transform the traditional hotel experience by eliminating the reception desk to allow staff to engage more personally with guests,' said Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. 'Since bringing Mews Kiosks to hotels in the U.S., 30% of guests check-in via the Kiosk, cutting check-in time by a third and freeing up staff to really welcome their guests and provide remarkable experiences throughout their stay, not to mention the fact that Kiosks drive 25% higher upsells in our hotels today. Waiting in the lobby queue is simply not a hospitable experience for today's travelers, it's another example where if the technology works, guests value convenience over tradition.' U.S Hotels Surpass Global Benchmarks in Digital Adoption Mews' own data shows that U.S. properties are leading the way in self-service: In the U.S., 30% of all reservations among Kiosk-enabled hotels are checked in through Mews Kiosk, versus a global benchmark of 20% 10.5% of total U.S. reservations use the Mews Guest Portal for check-in (compared to the global average of 8.6%), marking a 20% higher preference for online check-in among U.S. guests. Hotels are also seeing measurable benefits. Guests checking in via kiosk are three times more likely to purchase an upsell, generating nearly 70% more upsell revenue per check-in compared to those using the front desk. Other insights from the survey include: Nearly 80% of guests most likely to return to a hotel cite personalized amenities as the reason, with the sentiment strongest among Gen Z travelers (89%). 93% of travelers are willing to share personal data in order to improve their experiences with hotels, including details on preferred check-in/out times (60%), gender preferences (49%), food and beverage choices (48%), age (47%) and desired amenities and activities (46%). 'At Generator, we're always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience, from our smart, design-led spaces to the technology that powers the guest journey,' said Annajane Guzel, Global Director of Brand Marketing at Generator. 'Our self-check-in kiosks at Generator Miami have become an essential part of how we create a seamless experience for our guests who value efficiency. By leveraging this smart technology, we're not only streamlining operations but elevating the guest experience in a way that feels intuitive, flexible, and reflective of how our guests travel. Our self-check-in kiosks give guests the autonomy to arrive on their own terms, skip the desk, and dive straight into the true Generator experience – whether that's exploring like a local or relaxing by the pool with a cocktail in hand.' Valtr added, 'The message from travelers is clear: frictionless convenience is the new standard. This isn't about eliminating human interaction – it's about empowering both guests and staff to create more meaningful touchpoints and experiences. Hotels embracing this evolution will earn the loyalty of tomorrow's most valuable guests.' The data from both travelers and hotels is clear: the front desk era is giving way to a digital-first guest journey, where flexibility, personalization, and operational excellence will shine.
