
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Discover the smart tech behind new AI Point of Sale systems.
- Learn why restaurants are embracing AI for efficiency and personalized experiences.
- Explore real-world examples of AI in daily restaurant operations.
- Understand the important considerations and challenges for successful AI POS integration.
- Get a glimpse into the future of AI in restaurant management.
Table of Contents
- Understanding AI Integration with Restaurant POS
- The Transformative Benefits of an AI POS System
- Practical Applications: How to Enhance POS with AI
- Implementing AI POS Integration: Considerations and Challenges
- The Future of Restaurant POS AI
- Conclusion: Embracing AI for a Seamless Restaurant Operation
- FAQ
Hey there, food lovers and future restaurant owners! Have you ever wondered what makes your favorite restaurant run so smoothly? Or how they always seem to know what you like to order? Well, get ready to dive into the exciting world of AI POS integration, a super smart technology that’s changing how restaurants work!
Imagine your favorite eatery. It’s busy, right? There are orders flying, people paying, and delicious food being made. The world of restaurants today is like a big race, with lots of places competing for your business. To win this race, restaurants need to be super-efficient, offer special experiences just for you, and be able to change quickly when things shift. They need to be data-driven, meaning they use information to make smart choices.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
This is where AI integration with restaurant POS systems comes in, like a superhero for the restaurant world! It’s not just about taking your payment anymore. These smart systems are taking over lots of managing tasks, helping owners make better decisions, and making your experience as a customer way better. Plus, they help restaurants make more money!
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
In this blog post, we’re going to explore this amazing technology together. We’ll find out:
- What kinds of smart tech make up these new AI Point of Sale systems.
- All the cool reasons why restaurants are using them.
- Real-world examples of how they’re used every day.
- Important things restaurants need to think about when they set these systems up.
- And what the future holds for AI in managing restaurants!
Get ready to learn how artificial intelligence is making your next meal out even more awesome!
Understanding AI Integration with Restaurant POS
Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is a “POS system” and how does AI make it smarter?
What is a Traditional POS System?
Think of a traditional Point of Sale (POS) system as the brain of a restaurant’s checkout counter. It’s the machine where your order is punched in, your payment is processed, and it often keeps track of sales numbers and past purchases.
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
For a long time, these systems mainly did things like:
- Ringing up your order.
- Keeping tabs on how much food is in the kitchen (inventory).
- Printing out basic reports about sales.
It was helpful, but it was just the start.
How AI Integration with Restaurant POS Works Its Magic
Now, imagine adding a super-smart brain to that traditional POS system. That’s what AI integration with restaurant POS means! Artificial intelligence (AI) brings advanced computer smarts, like machine learning, to the table. This means the system can process huge amounts of data, learn from it, and even automate tasks that used to take human effort. It takes those basic functions and gives them a huge upgrade.
This clever combination creates what we call AI POS systems, which are like having a super-assistant always working behind the scenes.
Core Functions of Modern AI POS Systems
These next-generation intelligent Point of Sale platforms do a lot more than just process payments. They have some really cool core features:
- Smart Forecasting and Planning: These systems can look at past sales, what customers usually like, and even outside information like the weather or if there’s a big concert happening nearby. Then, they use all this data to guess what food will be popular, how many staff are needed, and what ingredients to order. This helps the restaurant prepare perfectly!
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
- Automated Management: Imagine orders going straight from your table to the kitchen with no human needing to re-write them. Or knowing exactly how much cheese is left in stock without anyone checking manually. AI-powered POS systems can handle things like sending orders to the right kitchen station, keeping inventory updated automatically https://thebossman.ai/ai-order-taking-restaurants-automation, and even helping with how customers communicate with the restaurant.
- Personalized Experiences: This is one of the coolest parts! The system remembers things like how often you visit, your favorite dishes, and what you’ve bought before. Then, it uses this information to suggest new foods you might like or give you special deals and promotions that are just for you. It’s like the restaurant truly knows you! https://www.thebossman.ai/personalized-restaurant-ordering-ai
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
The Main Goal: Making Things Better
The main purpose of these AI-powered Point of Sale systems is to make everyday tasks easier, improve how things get done, and make your service feel special. By doing this, restaurant owners can reduce wasted food, make fewer mistakes, and make sure every guest leaves happy. It’s a win-win for everyone!
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
https://www.blueorbiting.com/ai-in-restaurants-pros-cons-2025/
The Transformative Benefits of an AI POS System
When restaurants decide to use a smart, AI-integrated Point of Sale system, they unlock a whole bunch of amazing advantages. These perks of AI-driven checkout systems help them run smoother, make customers happier, and earn more money. Let’s look at some of the biggest benefits of an AI POS system.
Why Restaurants Love Smart POS Solutions:
- Supercharged Operational Efficiency
- Fewer Mistakes, Faster Service: Imagine less waiting time for your food! AI automation means fewer manual errors when taking orders or sending them to the kitchen. It speeds up everything from placing your order to getting it ready, and even integrates with delivery services seamlessly. This means everyone gets their food faster and more accurately.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
https://www.blueorbiting.com/ai-in-restaurants-pros-cons-2025/
- Big Boost in Speed: Some restaurants that have added AI have seen their operations become up to 30% more efficient! This means they can serve more people, and they might even save money on staffing because the system handles so much.
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
- Fewer Mistakes, Faster Service: Imagine less waiting time for your food! AI automation means fewer manual errors when taking orders or sending them to the kitchen. It speeds up everything from placing your order to getting it ready, and even integrates with delivery services seamlessly. This means everyone gets their food faster and more accurately.
- Awesome Customer Experience
- Made Just for You: AI-powered systems are great at giving you special recommendations based on what you like. They can also manage loyalty programs that give you rewards just for coming back. Whether you’re ordering in person or online, the service is fast, accurate, and feels personal.
- Helpful Kiosks and Chatbots: Have you ever seen a self-service kiosk at a fast-food place? Or talked to a helpful message bot online? These are often powered by AI, making it easy for you to order your food, ask questions, and get menu guidance all by yourself. It makes dining more interactive and convenient.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.blueorbiting.com/ai-in-restaurants-pros-cons-2025/
- Smart Inventory and Waste Management
- No More Wasted Food: One of the biggest challenges for restaurants is knowing how much food to buy. AI uses “predictive analytics” – which means it predicts how much of each item will be needed based on past sales and even future events. It tracks inventory in real-time, helping restaurants order just the right amount, reducing food spoilage, and saving money. https://thebossman.ai/ai-driven-restaurant-inventory-management-smarter-stock-solutions/
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
- No More Wasted Food: One of the biggest challenges for restaurants is knowing how much food to buy. AI uses “predictive analytics” – which means it predicts how much of each item will be needed based on past sales and even future events. It tracks inventory in real-time, helping restaurants order just the right amount, reducing food spoilage, and saving money. https://thebossman.ai/ai-driven-restaurant-inventory-management-smarter-stock-solutions/
- Powerful Data-Driven Insights
- Making Smart Choices: Imagine knowing exactly which dishes are most popular, when the busiest times are, and which promotions actually work. AI platforms give restaurants strong reports and analysis on all these things. This information helps owners make smart decisions, like changing the menu or staff schedules, and quickly adjust to new trends. It’s like having a crystal ball for their business!
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
- Making Smart Choices: Imagine knowing exactly which dishes are most popular, when the busiest times are, and which promotions actually work. AI platforms give restaurants strong reports and analysis on all these things. This information helps owners make smart decisions, like changing the menu or staff schedules, and quickly adjust to new trends. It’s like having a crystal ball for their business!
- Increased Profitability
- More Money, Less Waste: By cutting down on wasted food, serving more customers efficiently, and offering just the right deals, restaurants can earn more money. They reduce unnecessary costs and boost their profits. It’s all about working smarter, not just harder!
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
- More Money, Less Waste: By cutting down on wasted food, serving more customers efficiently, and offering just the right deals, restaurants can earn more money. They reduce unnecessary costs and boost their profits. It’s all about working smarter, not just harder!
Practical Applications: How to Enhance POS with AI
Restaurants looking to truly enhance POS with AI can use several smart applications that completely change how they operate. These clever uses of artificial intelligence make everything smoother and more enjoyable. Let’s explore specific ways eateries can upgrade their checkout systems with smart technology.
Specific Ways Restaurants Can Supercharge Their Point of Sale with AI:
- AI-Powered Analytics and Reporting
- Digging Deep into Data: Imagine knowing exactly what makes your customers tick! Deep data analysis, powered by AI, helps restaurants discover hidden patterns in how customers behave. It can tell them which menu items are selling like hotcakes and which ones aren’t. It also points out any slow spots or “bottlenecks” in how the restaurant runs. This information helps managers quickly change their business plans and menu offerings to be more successful.
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
- Digging Deep into Data: Imagine knowing exactly what makes your customers tick! Deep data analysis, powered by AI, helps restaurants discover hidden patterns in how customers behave. It can tell them which menu items are selling like hotcakes and which ones aren’t. It also points out any slow spots or “bottlenecks” in how the restaurant runs. This information helps managers quickly change their business plans and menu offerings to be more successful.
- Voice AI for Order Taking
- Talking Your Order to a Robot! Have you ever wished you could just say your order instead of typing it? With “Natural Language Processing” (NLP), AI-driven virtual helpers can take orders just by listening to your voice! https://www.thebossman.ai/ai-voice-ordering-restaurants-revolutionizing This is super handy for drive-thrus, phone orders, or even those self-service kiosks. It makes ordering faster and helps avoid mistakes that can happen when someone has to manually type everything.
https://www.blueorbiting.com/ai-in-restaurants-pros-cons-2025/
- Talking Your Order to a Robot! Have you ever wished you could just say your order instead of typing it? With “Natural Language Processing” (NLP), AI-driven virtual helpers can take orders just by listening to your voice! https://www.thebossman.ai/ai-voice-ordering-restaurants-revolutionizing This is super handy for drive-thrus, phone orders, or even those self-service kiosks. It makes ordering faster and helps avoid mistakes that can happen when someone has to manually type everything.
- Automated Inventory Management
- No More Running Out of Ingredients: Running out of a popular ingredient can be a disaster! AI systems constantly watch how much stock is on hand. They can predict how much food will be needed based on past trends and even things like upcoming holidays. Then, they can automatically create purchase orders to restock ingredients. This means much less wasted food and always having what’s needed to make your favorite meal.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
- No More Running Out of Ingredients: Running out of a popular ingredient can be a disaster! AI systems constantly watch how much stock is on hand. They can predict how much food will be needed based on past trends and even things like upcoming holidays. Then, they can automatically create purchase orders to restock ingredients. This means much less wasted food and always having what’s needed to make your favorite meal.
- Personalized Marketing and Customer Loyalty Programs
- Deals Made Just for You: AI doesn’t just remember your order; it uses your past purchases to create special offers! It can send you personalized discounts, suggest menu items you’ll probably love, and make loyalty programs feel more rewarding. This helps restaurants build stronger relationships with their guests, making you feel special and encouraging you to come back often.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.blueorbiting.com/ai-in-restaurants-pros-cons-2025/
- Deals Made Just for You: AI doesn’t just remember your order; it uses your past purchases to create special offers! It can send you personalized discounts, suggest menu items you’ll probably love, and make loyalty programs feel more rewarding. This helps restaurants build stronger relationships with their guests, making you feel special and encouraging you to come back often.
- Fraud Detection and Security Enhancements
- Keeping Your Payments Safe: In a world where we use cards and digital payments all the time, keeping your money safe is super important. AI uses advanced pattern recognition to constantly check transactions. If something looks unusual, like a suspicious purchase, the system can flag it right away. This helps keep your payment information secure https://www.thebossman.ai/ai-voice-agents-restaurant-payments-future-dining and builds trust in using digital and contactless ways to pay.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
- Keeping Your Payments Safe: In a world where we use cards and digital payments all the time, keeping your money safe is super important. AI uses advanced pattern recognition to constantly check transactions. If something looks unusual, like a suspicious purchase, the system can flag it right away. This helps keep your payment information secure https://www.thebossman.ai/ai-voice-agents-restaurant-payments-future-dining and builds trust in using digital and contactless ways to pay.
These incredible applications really show what smart restaurant technology is all about. It’s like having a system that not only works but also learns, adapts, and even guesses what you and the restaurant need next! This leads to a super smooth experience for both guests and the restaurant team, making dining out even better.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
https://www.blueorbiting.com/ai-in-restaurants-pros-cons-2025/
Want to see more about how AI is changing restaurants? Check out this video that talks about the good and bad sides of using AI in the food world!
Implementing AI POS Integration: Considerations and Challenges
Even though the rewards of using AI in a restaurant’s Point of Sale system are huge, setting up an AI POS integration isn’t always super easy. Restaurant owners need to think carefully about a few things and be ready for some potential challenges.
Key Things to Think About and Possible Roadblocks:
- Starting Costs and How Soon You’ll See a Return on Investment (ROI)
- The Price Tag: Getting new equipment, special software, and making sure everything works together can cost a good chunk of money upfront. It’s like buying a really cool, advanced game console – it costs more at first.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
- Quick Returns: But here’s the good news! Many restaurants see that this initial investment pays off pretty quickly. They save lots of money by cutting down on waste, reducing errors, and increasing sales because the system works so well. The money they save from being more efficient and from smart marketing often means the new system pays for itself within the first year! It’s an investment that keeps giving back. https://thebossman.ai/restaurant-human-labor-vs-ai-agent-costs
- The Price Tag: Getting new equipment, special software, and making sure everything works together can cost a good chunk of money upfront. It’s like buying a really cool, advanced game console – it costs more at first.
- Keeping Your Data Private and Secure
- Protecting Your Information: When restaurants collect a lot of information about customers and their transactions, they have a big responsibility. They need to make sure all that sensitive data is kept super safe. This means using strong cybersecurity tools and following special rules (like GDPR or CCPA) that protect people’s privacy.
- Trust is Key: It’s really important that the chosen smart POS solution encrypts all data (like putting it in a secret code) and has advanced ways to spot fraud. This helps customers trust that their information and payments are safe when they use digital and contactless ways to pay.
- Training Staff and Helping Them Adjust
- Learning New Tricks: Imagine learning a brand new video game with complicated controls! Employees need really good training, not just on how to press the right buttons on the new system, but also on how to use the smart insights that AI provides. They need to understand how the AI’s suggestions can help them do their jobs better, whether they’re serving food or cooking it. https://www.thebossman.ai/ai-voice-agents-restaurant-staff-training
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
https://www.blueorbiting.com/ai-in-restaurants-pros-cons-2025/
- Getting Everyone On Board: For the new system to really work well, everyone, from the cooks in the kitchen to the people who greet you at the door, needs to be excited about it and willing to use it. Getting everyone to “buy in” to the new technology is super important for it to be a success.
- Learning New Tricks: Imagine learning a brand new video game with complicated controls! Employees need really good training, not just on how to press the right buttons on the new system, but also on how to use the smart insights that AI provides. They need to understand how the AI’s suggestions can help them do their jobs better, whether they’re serving food or cooking it. https://www.thebossman.ai/ai-voice-agents-restaurant-staff-training
- Picking the Right Company and System
- Not All Systems Are Alike: Just like choosing a new phone, not every AI-powered Point of Sale system offers the same cool features or the same level of help when you need it. Restaurant owners have to be very careful when picking a company to work with.
- What to Look For: They should check things like what features the system has, how easily it can connect with other systems they already use, if it can grow with the restaurant, how much ongoing support they’ll get, and how good its security is. Choosing wisely means a smoother experience for everyone.
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
Thinking through these points carefully helps restaurants make smart choices and truly benefit from their advanced AI Point of Sale systems.
The Future of Restaurant POS AI
The world of restaurant POS AI is changing super fast! It promises a future where restaurants are more automated, more personalized, and more connected than ever before. Get ready for a sneak peek into the future of restaurant POS AI and what new smart restaurant technology is heading our way!
What’s Next for Intelligent Restaurant Systems:
- Even More Automation
- Robots in the Kitchen? Soon, we might see AI systems working hand-in-hand with robots that can help cook or prepare food! Imagine automated systems handling your whole meal journey, from when you order to when it’s delivered by a driverless car. This will make everything super smooth and fast.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
- Contactless Everything: Expect even more ways to order and pay without touching anything, making your dining experience safer and more convenient.
- Robots in the Kitchen? Soon, we might see AI systems working hand-in-hand with robots that can help cook or prepare food! Imagine automated systems handling your whole meal journey, from when you order to when it’s delivered by a driverless car. This will make everything super smooth and fast.
- Hyper-Personalization
- Your Restaurant, Your Way: AI will get even better at understanding you. It will be able to divide customers into tiny groups and offer super-personalized service. This means the menu might change just for you, the lights or music in the restaurant could adjust to your mood, and you’ll get special deals based on everything you’ve ever liked! It’s about making every visit feel like it was designed only for you.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
- Your Restaurant, Your Way: AI will get even better at understanding you. It will be able to divide customers into tiny groups and offer super-personalized service. This means the menu might change just for you, the lights or music in the restaurant could adjust to your mood, and you’ll get special deals based on everything you’ve ever liked! It’s about making every visit feel like it was designed only for you.
- Predictive Maintenance
- Fixing Things Before They Break: Imagine if a computer could tell you that the oven in the kitchen is about to stop working, even before it actually does! AI will evolve to predict when kitchen equipment or other restaurant systems might have problems. This means repairs can happen before anything breaks, saving money and keeping the restaurant running without any annoying interruptions.
- Seamless Integration with a Wider World of Smart Restaurant Technology and IoT Devices
- Everything Connected: In the future, your Point of Sale system won’t just be for orders. It will become the main control center, talking to all sorts of other smart devices (called Internet of Things, or IoT devices).
- A Super Smart Ecosystem: This means smart kitchens that know what’s cooking, connected appliances, climate control systems that keep you comfy, digital signs that display special offers, and even external delivery apps—all working together smoothly. It will create a truly intelligent and responsive restaurant where everything is connected and communicates.
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
- Fully Self-Optimizing Operations
- The Ultimate Smart Restaurant: The most advanced AI-powered Point of Sale systems will soon be able to run many parts of the business all by themselves. This includes making the best schedules for staff, knowing exactly how much food to order, changing prices based on demand (dynamic pricing), and even running marketing campaigns without much human help. This will make restaurants super flexible, strong, and always running at their very best!
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://hospitalitytech.com/pos-software-2025-key-trends-and-features-horizon
- The Ultimate Smart Restaurant: The most advanced AI-powered Point of Sale systems will soon be able to run many parts of the business all by themselves. This includes making the best schedules for staff, knowing exactly how much food to order, changing prices based on demand (dynamic pricing), and even running marketing campaigns without much human help. This will make restaurants super flexible, strong, and always running at their very best!
This future vision of smart restaurant technology shows how AI isn’t just a trend; it’s the next big step in how we experience dining!
Conclusion: Embracing AI for a Seamless Restaurant Operation
So, there you have it! The amazing value that AI POS integration brings to today’s restaurants is clear. It truly helps eateries go beyond what they could traditionally do, making them incredibly efficient, improving customer service, and boosting their profits.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
Restaurant owners who use these advanced AI-powered Point of Sale systems gain incredible clarity and control over how their business runs. They can make smarter decisions based on real information and even guess what customers and their business will need in the future. It’s like having a superpower to anticipate what’s next!
Adopting these transformative technologies isn’t just a nice idea anymore; it’s becoming super important for restaurants to stay competitive and succeed in a rapidly changing world. Those who embrace AI will be able to offer more personalized, more efficient, and more profitable experiences. They will set a new, higher standard for what a great dining experience looks like in the hospitality industry.
https://www.menusifu.com/bolg-en/restaurant-tech-trends-2025-ai-automation
https://www.abcpos.com/post/top-restaurant-technology-trends-how-pos-systems-are-evolving
The future of dining is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence!
FAQ
Questions About AI POS Integration in Restaurants
Q: What is AI POS integration?
A: AI POS integration refers to combining Artificial Intelligence capabilities with a restaurant’s Point of Sale system. This enhances the traditional POS functions with smart features like machine learning, automation, and data analytics to improve efficiency, customer experience, and profitability.
Q: How does AI benefit restaurants?
A: AI benefits restaurants by automating tasks, reducing errors, optimizing inventory, providing personalized customer experiences, generating powerful data-driven insights for decision-making, and ultimately increasing operational efficiency and profitability.
Q: Can AI POS systems help with inventory management?
A: Yes, AI POS systems are excellent for inventory management. They use predictive analytics to forecast ingredient needs, track stock in real-time, and can even auto-generate purchase orders to minimize waste and ensure popular items are always in stock.
Q: Is AI POS integration expensive?
A: There can be significant upfront costs for equipment and software. However, the investment often leads to a quick return (ROI) due to reduced waste, increased efficiency, and higher sales, often paying for itself within the first year.
Q: What does the future hold for AI in restaurant POS?
A: The future includes even more automation (potentially with robots), hyper-personalization for customers, predictive maintenance for equipment, seamless integration with other IoT devices and smart restaurant technologies, and fully self-optimizing operations that manage many aspects of the business automatically.