Tag: ordering

New Square tech to transform Irish retail and hospitality

Square has announced the launch of Square Handheld, its most powerful, portable point-of-sale device ever. Combining a sleek, durable design with comprehensive, versatile software, Square Handheld enables sellers to manage everything from payments to back-of-house operations right from their pocket.

Power Meets Portability

Built for fast-moving and operationally complex businesses, Square Handheld is ergonomic and pocketable, at just 315 grams and 15.7mm thick. It’s IP54-rated and durable, standing up to water splashes and dust. With a large 6.2″ Corning® Gorilla® Glass touchscreen and a battery that powers a whole day, Square Handheld is packed with advanced features, including:

  • Full payments functionality to capture tap and chip and pin transactions, and seamless integration with Square’s ecosystem of software, making managing a business easier than ever

  • Barcode scanning for speedy checkouts, gift card scanning, and inventory management

  • A 16 MP camera for capturing photos of newly stocked merchandise and updating item libraries

It’s portable, reliable, and powerful. With Square Handheld, sellers and their staff gain the mobility, speed, and efficiency essential to keep operations steady and deliver high-quality customer experiences — whether they’re restaurateurs that need to take tableside orders and manage their floorplan from the palm of their hand, or retailers managing large inventories and letting shoppers check out anywhere on the store floor.

Adaptable Software for Every Type of Business

Square Handheld is powered by the new unified Square Point of Sale app, bringing years of commerce innovation and technology leadership into a single, powerful hub for running any size or type of business. The redesigned software provides sellers with seven different modes that lets them customise their experience with industry-specific features — such as Full Service mode, Quick Service mode and Retail mode — and the ability to easily add or switch between modes when their operations require different or expanded capabilities. Device-specific features like quick settings for easy adjustments and push alerts for timely notifications mean Square Handheld can fit into and improve any in-store workflow, especially for food and beverage sellers, and retailers, which drove 78% of Square’s gross payment volume (GPV) in 2024 in the EU. From bustling full service restaurants, to multi-location quick service restaurants and coffee shops and sprawling garden centres, Square Handheld gives sellers of all sizes a powerful solution to keep commerce moving.

Designed to Drive Commerce

Square Handheld builds on the company’s legacy of hardware design excellence that began over a decade ago with the iconic ‘little white reader’ and permeates throughout Square’s entire portfolio of devices – from two generations of Square Stand, to Square Register and Square Terminal. Representing the company’s unique ability to elegantly marry form and function, Square Handheld is one of the thinnest and lightest handheld point-of-sale devices on the market, offering a purposefully engineered solution that’s not only built for today’s business needs, but designed to evolve and grow with sellers as commerce transforms in years to come.

“Running a business, especially a restaurant or retail store, has never been more demanding: every second counts, every team member must find ways to be more productive, and every customer has increasingly higher expectations for when and how they’re serviced,” said Thomas Templeton, Block’s Head of Hardware. “Square Handheld fuses Square’s industry-leading design with powerful commerce software to deliver a dynamic device that empowers sellers to keep pace with the breakneck speed of modern business — whether they’re a full-service restaurant looking to provide seamless tableside service across multiple dining areas, or a boutique looking to give its clients a refined checkout experience anywhere in-store.”

Square Handheld starts at 199€ + VAT and to help sellers get the most out of it, Square has partnered with industry-leading accessories manufacturer Belkin to offer premium protective cases. The Belkin SheerForce cases, which come in grey and black, complement Square Handheld’s sleek design, and add further defense against accidental drops and scratches. Thoughtfully designed to improve device grip while maintaining Square Handheld’s pocketable profile, the Belkin SheerForce case starts at 39€ + VAT.

New Software Launches to Make Operations Even More Smooth

Square has made a number of new tools available to help sellers simplify ordering and the guest experience:

  • Combos – sellers can create pre-defined flexible bundles of items sold together at a fixed price

  • Modifier set ordering – sellers can reorder their modifier sets directly from their Dashboard, creating customisable menus and a smoother ordering flow

A number of software launches will be introduced in the coming weeks to create smarter table service and staff operations for sellers:

  • House accounts – allows sellers to enable buyers to aggregate purchases into an account and settle the bill later.

  • Seat management – allows servers to track and organise guest movements across the restaurant, streamlining service operations and improving bill management.

  • ResDiary integration – syncs the seller’s booking platform with Square for Restaurants POS. Table spend and order details automatically flow back into ResDiary, helping operators better manage service and track performance. Deposits taken via ResDiary are also applied to orders in Square when a guest is seated.

To learn more about Square Handheld and the Square ecosystem of business solutions, visit squareup.com/ie/hardware/handheld.

Tracking and Reducing Waste: Digital Tools for Sustainable Construction

Sustainability in construction is no longer just a buzzword. As client expectations rise and regulations tighten, builders are under increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible practices — especially when it comes to waste management. The good news is that digital tools are making it easier than ever to track, reduce, and report on waste across the entire construction lifecycle.

Understanding Construction Waste at the Source

Waste on site isn’t always obvious. Offcuts, excess orders, rework due to mistakes — it all adds up. Materials aren’t just wasted in the skip, but also in the hours spent handling unnecessary deliveries, correcting errors, or storing unused items.

Many builders still rely on manual tracking or incomplete documentation, which makes it difficult to measure or improve waste performance. The key to change is visibility. When builders can see where and why waste is happening, they can start to make better decisions.

Designing Out Waste from the Start

Prevention starts well before materials hit the site. Early-stage planning and accurate estimating are crucial to reducing over-ordering and minimising rework. This is where digital tools shine.

With digital takeoffs and integrated quoting systems, builders can create more precise material orders that match the job’s actual requirements. These systems also highlight cost variances in real time, allowing quick adjustments to prevent waste before it occurs.

Working from a detailed, well-structured plan means fewer surprises — and fewer wasteful changes down the track.

Site Coordination and Scheduling

Miscommunication and poor timing often lead to materials arriving too early or too late. When items sit on site too long, they risk weather damage, theft, or becoming obsolete as plans change. If they arrive too late, trades are delayed, and changes are rushed.

Digital project scheduling and job tracking platforms help solve this by providing clearer timelines and alerts for ordering. They ensure materials arrive when they’re needed — not weeks in advance — and that changes are communicated across the team quickly.

By aligning logistics with site activity, builders can significantly cut down on unnecessary handling, storage, and disposal.

Using Software to Measure Environmental Impact

Builders are increasingly expected to report on the environmental performance of their projects — whether for compliance, marketing, or client assurance. This means tracking waste volumes, recycling rates, and material sourcing decisions.

This is where software for construction management can add real value. By centralising procurement, site diaries, and waste reporting in one platform, builders can generate reliable data with minimal extra effort. That means you’re not just managing sustainability — you can prove it.

Whether it’s showing clients how much material was diverted from landfill or meeting local council requirements for waste minimisation, accurate reporting helps demonstrate accountability and build trust.

Supplier Integration and Smarter Ordering

Part of the waste challenge comes from inconsistent supply chains. Without real-time price lists or supplier catalogues, it’s easy to order incorrectly or miss updates on product specifications.

Digital tools that integrate with suppliers reduce these risks. Builders can access up-to-date pricing and product data directly from within their estimating or procurement workflows. This leads to more accurate orders, better budgeting, and fewer returns or misused items.

In some cases, builders can also track environmental credentials, such as recycled content or emissions impact, directly from product listings — giving them even more control over sustainable sourcing.

Educating Teams Through Digital Workflows

Even the best plans can fall apart without team buy-in. If site workers aren’t aware of sustainability goals or don’t have the tools to meet them, waste will continue to rise.

Digital platforms help embed sustainability into daily workflows. Waste handling instructions, recycling protocols, and material specifications can be shared directly with site teams through mobile apps or shared dashboards.

This makes it easier to enforce expectations and support team members in doing the right thing, rather than relying on signage or toolbox talks alone.

Long-Term Benefits for Builders

Managing waste isn’t just good for the planet — it’s good for business. Less waste means lower material costs, reduced skip bin hire, and fewer delays caused by rework. It also helps builders stand out in a competitive market where clients increasingly value environmental responsibility.

By adopting digital tools that support waste reduction, builders position themselves as forward-thinking, efficient, and accountable.

Conclusion

Waste is an unavoidable part of construction — but how it’s managed makes all the difference. With the help of modern tools and thoughtful planning, builders can reduce their environmental impact and improve project performance at the same time.

To explore how software for construction management can support your waste-reduction goals, talk to Buildxact and see how smarter planning leads to better outcomes.

McDonald’s Ireland Introduces Irish Language Ordering Nationwide

McDonald’s Ireland has announced the nationwide rollout of Irish language ordering across its self-service kiosks in restaurants throughout the Republic of Ireland. Following a successful trial period in McDonald’s Westside Shopping Centre, Galway in January of this year, customers across the country can now place their orders as Gaeilge, making the iconic McDonald’s experience more inclusive and accessible for Irish speakers.

This initiative is part of McDonald’s Ireland’s ongoing commitment to embracing and celebrating Ireland’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. The introduction of the Irish language option will allow customers to seamlessly navigate the menu, customise their orders, and complete transactions in Irish at the touch of a button.

At the launch of the Irish Language Kiosks on Shop Street in Galway, Dáithí Ó Sé said: “It is fantastic to see McDonald’s supporting the Irish language at this level. This initiative gives people the opportunity to use the language naturally in their daily lives, which is so important for the future and development of Irish. This is a great step forward for Irish speakers and for the wider community in Ireland.”

Commenting on the launch, Aaron Byrne, Franchisee of McDonald’s Westside Shopping Centre in Galway, said: “We are thrilled to introduce Irish language ordering to our self-service kiosks nationwide. The overwhelmingly positive response from our Galway trial highlighted the demand and enthusiasm for this initiative. As a brand that is deeply rooted in Irish communities, we are proud to support the Irish language and provide our customers with the option to engage with us in the language of their choice.”

The trial in Galway saw strong uptake from customers, reinforcing the importance of language accessibility and McDonald’s commitment to evolving its customer experience to meet the needs of local communities. The nationwide rollout to McDonald’s 95 restaurants in the Republic of Ireland ensures that Irish speakers, learners, and those passionate about the language can enjoy a seamless and fully immersive experience in McDonald’s restaurants across the country.

This development aligns with McDonald’s broader inclusivity and community engagement efforts, reinforcing its commitment to reflecting the culture and traditions of the communities it serves.

Munchd takes on Just Eat and Uber Eats with launch of new mobile app

Munchd, the disruptive online food ordering platform committed to empowering local takeaways and restaurants to save money, which launched in February 2024, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. 

This custom-built app, developed over the past year alongside the expert digital team in award-winning, Dundalk based marketing agency ZOMA, marks a significant milestone for Munchd, and is poised to disrupt the food ordering industry, providing a direct and compelling alternative to established giants like Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Building on Munchd’s core mission of supporting local businesses, the app offers a seamless and convenient ordering experience for customers while maintaining its groundbreaking 1% commission model for restaurants.Typically the larger competitors charge 10% – 30% commission. Munchd’s unique approach allows takeaways and restaurants maximise their profits, reinvest in their businesses, and offer more competitive prices to consumers.

The Munchd app brings a wealth of features to users, including effortless browsing of a diverse selection of local restaurants and takeaways all in one convenient location. Users can enjoy streamlined ordering, placing orders quickly and easily with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. The app also provides access to exclusive deals, a loyalty program, and promotions available only through the app.

Since its launch in early 2024, Munchd’s prototype app has achieved an impressive turnover of nearly €2 million, highlighting its rapid growth and strong market demand. One of the demo takeaways on the Munchd platform managed to save over €100,000 on fees in 2024, which highlights the cost savings that takeaways and restaurants can achieve by switching to Munchd. 

“The launch of the Munchd app is a game-changer for the food industry,” said David Kieran, Managing Director of Munchd. “For over a year, we’ve been dedicated to developing a platform that truly benefits both restaurants and customers. This app represents the culmination of that hard work, offering a superior ordering experience while staying true to our commitment of 1% commission for restaurants. We believe this will level the playing field, help the already struggling hospitality sector and allow food businesses to thrive and give consumers more choice and better value.”

The Munchd app is now available for download on iOS and Android devices. Customers can download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store by searching for “Munchd”, or visiting www.munchd.io.

Restaurants and takeaways interested in joining the Munchd platform and benefiting from the 1% commission model can visit http://www.munchd.io/join for more information.