Solution brief:

• The challenge: Restaurant technologists need to create full-stack device solutions that meet multiple criteria: enterprise-grade reliability, security, configurability and high-performance to keep up with dynamic, high-volume environments.
• The solution: Powered by a partnership with Esper, select Lenovo x86 platforms (including the ThinkCentre m70a 3rd Gen touch screen desktop) are now available with enterprise-grade Android
• The impact: The joint solution offers restaurant operators greater flexibility, global familiarity, cost-efficiency and innovation thanks to an enterprise-grade Android OS and a large Android developer pool

Performing under pressure

With devices operating in hectic restaurant kitchen environments, which must withstand heat, grease and other liquids, finding the right hardware is its own unique challenge. Add to that the rising expectations of modern user experiences, whether that’s to improve employee productivity or direct customer experiences (in the case of self-ordering devices), and there’s a lot being asked of software, too.

Enter the growing interest in enterprise-grade Android. Because most Android devices are consumer-centric tablets or phones, or custom builds altogether, finding the goldilocks solution of performance, cost-efficiency and configurability has traditionally proved to be difficult for restaurants. Offerings like Lenovo's new reliable, configurable and long-lasting x86 solutions, powered by Esper, will certainly accelerate customer adoption.

With this new solution that meets the enterprise-grade hardware and software stack requirements, restaurants—whether in traditional environments or integrated into airports, stadiums and other venues—can meet the needs of customers who demand fast-paced, reliable and modern experiences.

Significant interest in Android on x86

As businesses continue to look to Android and the Android ecosystem for greater flexibility and efficiency, Lenovo’s new reliable, configurable and long-lasting x86 solutions powered by Esper will accelerate greater customer adoption.

The majority of restaurant devices today run on Windows, but according to a report by 451 Research, more and more technology decision makers are interested in Android, and specifically, they’re looking for Android solutions to run on x86 devices (88% said they were interested). They cite flexibility, global familiarity with the UI, cost-efficiency and large developer pool as the top reasons for considering Android.

Enterprise-ready Android with Esper

But enterprises who are looking to Android to modernize their digital experiences also need enterprise-level security and reliability. Enter Esper’s Foundation offering, an enterprise-grade enhancement for Android that runs on x86 chips (the same chips that run Windows) as well as ARM chips. Foundation includes features that enterprises require and expect: quarterly security updates, long-term support, peripheral (e.g. printers, cash drawers) compatibility, customizable branding, seamless no-touch device provisioning and app and system crash notifications.

Lenovo is meeting changing customer needs

Offering the ThinkCentre m70a 3rd Gen touchscreen desktop with enterprise-grade Android is another step forward in Lenovo’s drive to meet changing customer demand for the restaurant industry, as well as other industries that need robust devices running modern Android experiences.

“Dedicated devices are proliferating across several key industries, and our new joint solution with Esper allows us to deliver the best of Android with the consistency and predictability of Lenovo’s x86 devices,” said Johanny Payero, Director of Global Advanced Solutions Marketing and Strategy at Lenovo.

To meet today’s customer expectations, every restaurant needs to think like a technology company, making strategic decisions about their holistic device stack to optimize for performance and reliability. With solutions like this from Lenovo and Esper, customers finally have a complete offering to meet their needs.