RSPA Restaurant Rescue
Unless government safety provisions dictate differently, online ordering will be vital to sustain the restaurant industry in the near-term during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) has launched Restaurant Rescue, a list of member companies with digital ordering initiatives and related technologies that can help VARs and ISVs provide solutions quickly to merchants in need. Many of the products listed are being offered at a significant discount for a limited time to assist restaurants in distress.
Restaurant Rescue is easy to navigate, listing company names and a link to their most relevant web page. The list is organized by business type (ISV, ISV/VAR Hybrid, VAR, Vendor, and Distributor) to help solution providers and merchants connect with the companies that can meet their particular needs. To connect with individuals at any of these companies, email Membership@GoRSPA.org. and the RSPA Member Services team will be happy to facilitate that conversation.
As the RSPA learns about additional member companies who offer related services, this Restaurant Rescue page will be updated. For more information on the RSPA or the Restaurant Rescue initiative, please email Membership@GoRSPA.org.
Additional retail IT channel-focused COVID-19 resources from the RSPA:
RSPA COVID-19 Job Board
The RSPA recognizes the impact that COVID-19 has had on the retail technology industry. While many of our members have been forced to make both temporary and permanent changes to their workforce due to the pandemic, others are hiring to meet increased customer demand. The RSPA, in an effort to assist all of its members, is committed to providing information about hiring companies for the benefit of those who have been displaced due to the impact of COVID-19.
Webinar: Understanding the CARES Act: Actions You Should Take
To help VARs and ISVs better navigate the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), RSPA Legal Counsel Bob Goldberg hosted a webinar on Wed., April 1, to highlight key sections that apply to solution providers.
Webinar: COVID-19 Communication Guidelines – Addressing Employee and Customer Questions
This 55-minute session features RSPA Legal Counsel Bob Goldberg and RSPA Board Chair/North Country Business Products HR Director Chelsey Paulson sharing communication best practices.
Key Areas VARs and ISVs Must Address as Canada Reopens from COVID-19
The RSPA Canadian Community hosted an online roundtable June 18 focused on “Key Areas VARs and ISVs Must Address as Canada Reopens from COVID-19.” The open forum discussion was attended by nearly 40 channel executives.
Highlights from “Security Threats & COVID-19” RSPA Webinar
To help VARs and ISVs better protect themselves and their merchants, RSPA hosted a webinar June 9 titled “Security Threats & COVID-19.” Featured experts included RSPA Security Advisor Nathan Sweaney along with RSPA members Mike Fumai, Board Director and Senior Advisor for Blue Ridge Networks, and Spencer Cobb, Security Solutions Representative at Verizon Wireless. RSPA’s Jim Roddy live-Tweeted the webinar and captured several takeaways that apply to VAR and ISV executives.
COVID-19 Crisis: Paycheck Protection Program Changes
On June 5, 2020, the President signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA). The act is intended to provide additional flexibility on the use of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds in order to maximize forgiveness and to make some additional limited changes to the CARES Act (under which the PPP was initially enacted).
COVID-19 Crisis: Daily Questionnaire for Returning Employees
RSPA General Counsel Bob Goldberg shared this 5-6 daily questionnaire for employers to take necessary precautions to ensure safety in the workplace. Employees who cannot provide the indicated answer to the questions posed should not be allowed to return to work until all questions are answered as indicated.
COVID-19 Crisis: Highlights from “CARES Act – Actions for Maximizing Loan Forgiveness” RSPA Webinar by Jim Roddy
RSPA hosted a webinar May 5 titled “CARES Act – Actions for Maximizing Loan Forgiveness” to help VARs and ISVs better navigate the CARES Act, the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program), and re-opening their businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. In this article, RSPA’s VP of Sales and Marketing shares highlights of the session.
Facemasks: Mandatory or Voluntary?
OSHA has published detailed standards and guidance relating to employees wearing personal protective equipment which includes facemasks. The guidance makes a significant difference between an employer that mandates employees to wear a facemask and whether the employees do so voluntarily. There is a further distinction to whether the employee is going to wear a respirator or a simple cloth or surgical mask.
COVID-19 Crisis: 7 Striking Attributes of Today’s Top-Performing VARs and ISVs
In this article, RSPA’s VP of Sales and Marketing Jim Roddy shares seven attributes of today’s top-performing VARs and ISVs. These common characteristics were found in VARs and ISVs who have been financially sound – if not outright successful – during this crisis.
COVID-19 Crisis: U.S. Chamber Foundation Announces $5k Grants for SMBs
For businesses with 3-20 employees (W-2s), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is sponsoring the Save Small Business Fund to assist with short-term relief. The fund will provide $5,000 grants to small employers in the United States and its territories. Grants must be applied toward business expenses. Applications open weekly and remain available until the fund is exhausted.
RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 17: How Canadian Retail IT VARs are Navigating Through COVID-19
In Episode 17 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Canadian VARs Paul Leduc, President of Globe POS Systems in Brampton, ON; Gord Doerksen, President and CEO of Ideal POS in Winnipeg, MB; and Tim Shein, President of King Business Services in Richmond, BC. Among the topics discussed are utilizing Canadian government resources created to help businesses through the COVID-19 crisis, adjusting your sales and service tactics during the pandemic, and crafting a business strategy during uncertain times.
RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 16: Retail IT Community Roundtable on COVID-19 (Session 4)
This special episode of “The Trusted Advisor” features a fourth Retail IT Community Roundtable on COVID-19 hosted by the RSPA. VARs, ISVs, vendors, and distributors in the restaurant, retail, and grocery verticals share strategies and tactics for best dealing with this crisis. Among the roundtable topics members discuss are pursuing new federal government resources through programs such as the CARES Act and PPP (Paycheck Protection Program), adjusting sales/marketing approaches during the COVID-19 crisis, and adapting staffing levels and service tactics during this pandemic.
COVID-19 Crisis: 10 Timely Tips for VARs and ISVs from RSPA’s Security Advisor
The COVID-19 global pandemic is both a staggering health crisis and an economic crisis – and a boon to cybersecurity criminals. As RSPA Legal Counsel Bob Goldberg stated in his COVID-19 communications guidelines webinar, “The crooks seem to be weathering this storm rather well. Alert all of your customers and your employees to be wary of any malware.” In this article you will find my top 10 focus areas for VARs and ISVs who want to remain secure.
COVID-19 Crisis: CDC Updates Employer Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently updated its guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting, including those that apply to employers. These guidelines address proper disinfectant techniques and solutions, and specifically advise how to clean soft surfaces (i.e., carpeted floors, rugs, and drapes), electronics, and laundry. The CDC’s guidelines also address the appropriate steps to take if an individual in your building or facility tests positive for COVID-19.
RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 15: Retail IT Community Roundtable on COVID-19 (Session 3)
VARs, ISVs, vendors, and distributors in the restaurant, retail, and grocery verticals share strategies and tactics for best dealing with this crisis. Among the roundtable topics are firsthand experiences applying for a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan, providing online ordering and selling more tablets to help distressed restaurants, and counseling your merchants to reshape their business for a post-COVID world.
COVID-19 Crisis: Channel Marketing Plans “Out the Window” During Pandemic
Determining the best marketing plan during normal times is stressful for channel executives, so how do they react amid a global pandemic and economic crisis? To answer that question, we asked members of the RSPA Marketing Committee during the group’s April 14 meeting what principles, strategies, and tactics they’re embracing during COVID-19. This post includes insights from five members who shared their thoughts.
COVID-19 Crisis: Pandemic Causes VARs to Rethink, Reformulate “Personal Service”
Successful retail IT VARs are all about personal service, but that aspect of their business has been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. The RSPA reached out to several reseller members requesting insights on this topic, asking: How are you handling service calls during the COVID-19 pandemic? What special precautions have you been taking?
COVID-19 Crisis: VARs Adjust Sales Approach During Pandemic
To help retail IT VARs effectively deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the RSPA reached out to several reseller members requesting insights on sales best practices related to this crisis. Specifically, we asked: What sales activities are you engaged in during the COVID-19 pandemic? How have you changed your approach to engaging with merchant customers and prospects?
COVID-19 Crisis: RSPA Guide to Small Business Resources for Merchants
To help merchants understand the available options to sustain their business during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RSPA has created this Guide to Small Business Resources for Merchants. We encourage reseller members to link to this page from their own website and email it to merchants who need access to details about Disaster Loan Assistance, the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and more small business relief programs.
COVID-19 Crisis: Highlights from “Understanding the CARES Act: Actions You Should Take Today” RSPA Webinar by Jim Roddy
I encourage you to watch the entire “Understanding the CARES Act: Actions You Should Take Today” webinar (including lengthy Q&A session) on-demand as soon as possible. I tuned in live and came away with several notes that would apply to VAR and ISV executives.
COVID-19 Crisis: CARES Act Section-by-Section Overview
To help VARs and ISVs better navigate the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), RSPA Legal Counsel Bob Goldberg has provided a section-by-section overview of the new law. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion aid package designed to provide economic relief to businesses and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Crisis: Unimaginable Industry Data Implores VARs, ISVs to Act Fast by Jim Roddy
RSPA members have been incredibly generous with their time and information during this crisis, sharing insights and best practices that enabled us to create the RSPA COVID-19 Crisis Resources Center. Members have also forwarded to me reports and articles that previously weren’t on my radar, three of which I’d like to share with you, along with details of actions VARs and ISVs are taking today.
COVID-19 Crisis: RSPA Guide to Small Business Resources for VARs and ISVs
To help our members understand the available options to sustain their business during the COVID-19 pandemic, RSPA has created this Guide to Small Business Resources. This list was compiled based on research by the RSPA staff and from contributions by our members during our Retail IT Community Roundtables on COVID-19.
RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 14: Retail IT Community Roundtable on COVID-19 (Session 2)
This special episode of “The Trusted Advisor” features a second Retail IT Community Roundtable discussion on COVID-19 hosted by the RSPA. VARs, ISVs, vendors, and distributors in the restaurant, retail, and grocery verticals share strategies and tactics for best dealing with this crisis.
RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 13: Retail IT Community Roundtable on COVID-19 (Session 1)
This special episode of “The Trusted Advisor” features a Retail IT Community Roundtable discussion on COVID-19 hosted by the RSPA. VARs, ISVs, vendors, and distributors in the restaurant, retail, and grocery verticals share ideas on strategies and tactics for best dealing with this crisis.
COVID-19 Crisis: Are Retail IT VARs Considered an “Essential Business”?
RSPA General Counsel Bob Goldberg says VARs are considered an essential business, and he recommends sharing this information with employees and the appropriate authorities on company letterhead.
COVID-19 Crisis: A VAR’s Guide to Canada’s Economic Response Plan
Paul Leduc, Chairperson of the RSPA’s Canadian Community and President of VAR Globe POS Systems in Brampton, Ont., crafted with his accountant a 22-page document listing resources related to Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
COVID-19 Crisis: Restaurant VARs, ISVs Serve on Pandemic Front Lines
Resellers and software developers dedicated to the restaurant industry aren’t medical staff, but they are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis in other ways. VAR and ISV tools don’t include stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs, but their assistance – such as setting up restaurants for online ordering and delivery – is life-sustaining to gobsmacked merchants who need all the support they can get.
COVID-19 Crisis: FAQs and Legal Updates Channel Executives Need To Know
RSPA Legal Counsel Bob Goldberg provides answers to frequently asked questions about new U.S. laws related to the COVID-19 crisis including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and provisions that affect the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA).
COVID-19 Crisis: Leading VARs and ISVs are Taking Action – Today
This blog post offers a range of thoughts, activities, and perspectives from RSPA VAR and ISV members related to COVID-19. If you’re a channel executive, you need to act seriously and swiftly today.
COVID-19 Crisis: ISVs Focus on Rescuing Merchants, Protecting Staff, Stimulating Creativity
In this article, software developer executives from the RSPA Niche & Startup ISV Community offer guidance for addressing customer issues, VAR issues, staff issues, and general business issues during the pandemic.
COVID-19 Crisis: How VARs are Communicating with Employees, Merchants
RSPA members Brett Bennett, the President of VAR POSitive Technology and ISV OpSuite, and Chris Rumpf, the owner of VAR/ISV Flyght, provide examples of COVID-related messages they delivered to their employees and their merchants.
COVID-19 Crisis: Key Points from RSPA Communication Guidelines Webinar
This blog post features highlights from the RSPA COVID-19 webinar and can be utilized by VARs and ISVs as a reference guide throughout this crisis.
RSPA Message to the Retail IT Community on COVID-19
RSPA decisions relating to COVID-19 will be guided by three priorities: the health and safety of our team and our members; the long-term health of our association; and the in-the-moment assessment of options as the situation unfolds.
