smartTONi

Implementing smartTONi typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the kitchen and the number of recipes to be digitized. The journey begins with a 'Recipe Audit,' where the smartTONi team helps the client convert their existing static recipes into the system's modular, step-by-step format. Following data entry, the hardware setup phase begins, involving the installation of kitchen stations, electronic scales, and any necessary sensors (like the smartTHEke).

The third phase is 'Staff Onboarding,' where employees are trained on the mobile app and workstations. Because the system is designed to be intuitive and 'guide' the user, this training is often much faster than traditional kitchen training. The process concludes with a 'Go-Live' support period where smartTONi engineers monitor the first few days of production to fine-tune task assignments and workflow triggers.

smartTONi offers extensive customization to reflect the unique workflows of each brand. Users can define custom 'Work Centers'—such as a Grill Station, Prep Area, or Cold Kitchen—and set specific logic for how tasks are routed between them.

The recipe builder allows for granular control over ingredient substitutions, allergen tagging, and portion sizes. Beyond the software, the 'smartTHEke' sensor solution is physically customizable to fit existing counters and workstations without requiring major construction. For enterprise clients, smartTONi offers API access to build custom integrations with proprietary ERP or POS systems. The 'Task Management' engine can also be programmed with custom 'if-then' logic, such as automatically triggering a prep task for more sauce when a certain number of orders are processed by the POS.

Beyond the monthly subscription fee, clients should account for initial 'Onboarding and Setup' fees, which cover the data migration and initial configuration. Hardware costs are a separate consideration; while smartTONi is compatible with standard tablets and smartphones, specialized hardware like electronic scales, label printers, and the proprietary smartTHEke sensor suite requires upfront purchase or lease. Integration fees may apply if a custom bridge to a non-standard POS or ERP system is required. Support is generally included in the subscription, but 'Premium 24/7' support packages or on-site implementation help from a dedicated engineer may incur additional monthly or one-time charges. However, smartTONi is transparent about these costs, aiming to ensure that the ROI from reduced food waste and labor efficiency far outweighs the initial investment.

Training with smartTONi is a multi-modal experience. The company provides a comprehensive 'Knowledge Base' and a series of 'How-To' videos for self-paced learning. For new implementations, they offer 'Live Online Training' sessions for managers and 'In-Person' workshops for kitchen staff. A unique aspect of smartTONi is that the software itself acts as a training tool; because it 'navigates' the staff through every task with photos and instructions, the need for long-form onboarding is reduced. They also offer specialized 'Data Analysis Programs' (CHF 80-150), which are essentially training modules that teach managers how to interpret operational data to improve their business. For large franchises, they can provide 'Train-the-Trainer' programs to ensure internal scalability.

smartTONi takes a rigorous approach to data security, leveraging enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure (typically hosted on AWS or Azure) to ensure high availability and data integrity. All data transmissions are protected by SSL/TLS encryption. The system uses role-based access control (RBAC), ensuring that kitchen staff only see relevant tasks while managers have access to sensitive cost and performance data. Regular backups are performed to prevent data loss.

For food safety security, the system provides immutable 'Audit Trails' for all HACCP-related data, such as temperature logs and cleaning checklists, which are essential for health department inspections. While specific SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications are common for the underlying cloud providers used by smartTONi, the company follows these industry best practices in its own software development lifecycle.

As a cloud-native SaaS platform, smartTONi follows a continuous deployment model, with minor updates and bug fixes released weekly. Major feature releases, such as new sensor integrations or significant UI overhauls, typically happen on a quarterly basis. These updates are deployed automatically in the cloud, requiring no manual installation from the user. For hardware-related software updates (e.g., for the smartTHEke or cobot controllers), the system is designed to update over-the-air (OTA). smartTONi publishes detailed release notes for its users, and any significant changes to the kitchen-facing interface are communicated well in advance to prevent operational disruption during busy service hours.

Under smartTONi's terms of service, clients retain full ownership of their proprietary recipes and operational data. The system allows for easy data portability, with robust export options for inventory reports, production logs, and cost analyses in formats like CSV or Excel. This is a critical feature for businesses that need to feed their operational data into external accounting or business intelligence tools. Should a client decide to leave the platform, smartTONi provides a clear process for data extraction to ensure they don't lose years of historical production data. The company also strictly adheres to European GDPR standards, ensuring that any employee data captured for performance tracking is handled with the highest level of privacy.

smartTONi is built for horizontal scalability. A single instance can manage multiple outlets, allowing a corporate executive to update a recipe once and have it instantly propagate to every tablet in the global network. The system's 'Central Kitchen' module is specifically designed for high-growth businesses that produce mise-en-place in a main hub and distribute it to satellites. As a team grows, the system easily handles more users and workstations without performance degradation. For global scaling, the platform supports multiple languages and currencies, making it an ideal choice for franchises looking to expand from their home market into international territories. The 'Partner Kitchen' model further facilitates scaling by allowing brands to launch in new regions overnight by simply 'plugging in' their recipes to a local kitchen already running smartTONi.

smartTONi's contracts are typically structured as annual subscriptions, though monthly billing is often available at a slightly higher rate. Renewal is automatic unless a cancellation notice is provided (usually 30-90 days in advance). The Service Level Agreement (SLA) guarantees high uptime (typically 99.9%), which is critical for a system that directs live kitchen production. Cancellations usually trigger a data export period, after which the account is deactivated. For enterprise clients, custom terms can be negotiated regarding custom development, dedicated support hours, and multi-year price locks. The company also offers 'Trial' periods, though these often require a setup fee if hardware integration is involved.

Compliance is a core pillar of the smartTONi platform. It is fully aligned with EU and Swiss food safety regulations, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). The system digitizes all mandatory logging, from fridge temperatures to batch tracking, making it a powerful tool for maintaining 'Audit-Ready' status at all times. In terms of data compliance, the company is strictly GDPR-compliant, ensuring that the personal data of employees and suppliers is handled securely. For businesses operating in international markets, smartTONi's traceability features help comply with various local 'Farm-to-Fork' regulations and lot-tracking requirements, which are essential for managing product recalls and ensuring food safety transparency for consumers.