In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Podcast, host welcomes Santi Cuellar, Senior Manager of Product Marketing for Fusion Connect and co-host of the Tech Unmuted podcast. Santi shares insights into the evolving role of technology in the restaurant and retail sectors, particularly focusing on network infrastructure and its criticality. The discussion covers the shift in network needs driven by the pandemic, the importance of robust and secure Wi-Fi networks, and the significance of omni-channel customer experiences. Santi emphasizes the necessity for restaurants to innovate not just for customer satisfaction but also for staff efficiency. He also provides a deep dive into network elements like routers, switches, and Quality of Service (QoS), explaining their impacts on operations. The episode underscores the importance of partnering with experienced technology firms to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient operations in today's digital age.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:47 Fusion Connect and Restaurant Tech Synergies
01:26 Importance of Network in Restaurant Operations
03:50 Understanding Network Components
09:25 Omni-Channel Customer Experience
15:57 Staff Expectations and Technology
23:05 The Importance of Separate WiFi Networks
24:43 Guest WiFi Splash Page Benefits
27:29 Security Concerns with WiFi Networks
31:40 Best Practices for Network Security
37:03 Engaging with Network Security Providers
42:07 Connecting with Fusion Connect