Innovation

Unlike third-party delivery apps, OP Technology allows a business control of their sales and ordering whilst also providing them useful data for operations and marketing. This allows seamless ordering of products either online or within their store by customers. Businesses can also customize menu options, manage orders, bookings and payments in an all-encompassing convenient platform. Conversely, customers indirectly utilize this product by engaging in orders with the respective business and can reap these benefits as well. By streamlining the ordering process for businesses, customers are aided by a better user interface online, a smooth ordering system, and a reduction in ordering time.

Inspiration

When the business first opened in 2006, the owners had been in touch with several businesses who had concerns that their cash register system needed upgrading. In light of this revelation, OP-Tech developed a register system that suited the needs of their client businesses. Whilst this original scope of the business was minute, Daniel, the director of OP-Tech, quickly relished at the opportunity to expand towards a POS business that aids in the ordering of goods and services. In addition to new cash registers, he provided security, management, and payment systems as well as several software programs to assist business operations (Franciscus, 2021). It was during this time that the world experienced a transitionary period towards facilitating online ordering systems for businesses. Eventually, with a continuous commitment to innovate and to provide an edge to his customers, Daniel, through OP-Tech, provided his clients with OP Technology: a system that seamlessly incorporates ordering, service, delivery, and payments for goods and services online.

Overall impact

The implementation of OP Technology has benefited the numerous businesses that have adopted it. In feedback from customer businesses, the system has provided “hardware, software, peripherals, consumables, and professional services, which significantly decrease the investment on IT management and the cost of labor as well”, left technical work to technicians, “provides functions such as stock management, suppliers information, customer loyalty programs” and has released businesses from the burden of stock management and reporting (OP-Tech(a), 2021). Overall, the key aspect of this program is that businesses can utilize a third-party, such as OP-Tech, to organize an ordering system. This is crucial for smaller businesses without the resources available to invest large amounts of capital and frees them to focus on other areas. In doing so, these businesses now have an online presence that they could never have achieved alone, providing the opportunity for advertising, greater sales volume, and growth. As mentioned earlier, customers now have a smoother ordering system whilst also being able to view the inventory and order from cafés, restaurants, and grocers online. Using OP Technology, smaller businesses can now market their products to an incredible range of individuals and potential customers, essentially creating a level playing field to operate in versus bigger business.

Business benefit

OP-Tech has seen remarkable growth since its founding. Whilst having very few employees, the business has gone from selling cash registers to providing software and hardware to several businesses ranging from small and large (and they include): Papa Rich, Nene Chicken, D’Elephant and Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart and many more restaurants, retailers and organizations (OP-Tech(a), 2021). In turn, OP-Tech has seen over a decade of success and now offers a wide range of products to suit the needs of any business looking to expand its online platform. They have become specialists in point-of-sale software, hardware, and installation (OP-Tech(b), 2021) and strive to continuously expand their operations into the future.

Social and environmental benefit

The societal benefits of OP Technology are potentially staggering; with an increasing number of businesses enhancing their online marketability and presence, this innovation can save costs for an untold number of businesses and allow them to capture a market that was previously undreamt of. The precarious situation of COVID-19 meant that businesses had to increasingly rely on their online programs to survive. OP-Tech provided these solutions and facilitated a recovery for these businesses throughout the pandemic (Franciscus, 2021). Online ordering and contactless payments have allowed businesses and customers to save an unmeasurable amount of time. Overall, this improves the efficiency and productivity of these businesses. If Op Technology is expanded and implemented elsewhere, it is likely that ordering systems for businesses will become even smoother and more convenient.

References

Franciscus, D. (2021, 2 7). Aim2FLourish Interview. (A. Lawson, Interviewer)

OP-Tech(a). (2021). Customers. Retrieved from OP-Tech: https://op-tech.com.au/customers/

OP-Tech(b). (2021). About Us. Retrieved from OP-Tech: http://op-tech.com.au/op-tech-melbo

Interview

Daniel Fransiscus, Director