What challenges did the client face?

Rapid Development

Since the number of clients started to increase at a spectacular pace, the system had to be adjusted faster. Frequent data migrations, multiple deployments, feature flags, and private betas became essential.

Extension of the provided services

Starting as just a table reservation system, aleno's goal was to provide their clients with a sophisticated restaurant (and more!) management system ensuring exquisite experience for the guests.

Expansion beyond Switzerland

Over time, as the system gained a reputation in Switzerland, clients from the neighboring countries became interested in it. This entailed completely new challenges.

Technical & Business solutions we implemented

We entered the project in 2015, after the prototype version was ready, and focused on the rapid introduction of major adjustments based on the feedback provided by the restaurants testing the product.

Meteor’s reactivity allowed us to create a streamlined experience for the staff, as all inputs were visible in the application with no delay.

With a complete list of core functionalities, we prepared a robust architecture and development process enhanced by implementing our Quality Assurance standards. From the very beginning, we work on the project employing the Scrumban methodology, with the addition of a fast-track approach and immediate reaction to feature requests.

Over the past few years, integrations with external systems have been one of the main areas allowing achieving some of the significant business objectives of aleno - such as faster client canvassing and providing its services also outside Switzerland.

Invariably, rapid development is still fundamental - this way, aleno can demonstrate its capabilities to the potential clients and investors. The team tests new functionalities with the clients needing them by using an extensive system of feature flags (providing particular restaurants with access to particular features).

In more than seven years of cooperation between aleno and Vazco, thanks to the incredible commitment of the entire team responsible for the prototype version, aleno has become the market leader in its industry for the whole DACH region.

The AI-driven "Brain"

We introduced an intelligent table assignment system known as “The Brain.” This system automates table allocation and provides real-time suggestions on how restaurants can best seat guests under various conditions.

What problem does the AI solve?

Initially, we experimented with a fully automated, goal-oriented approach – letting restaurants define utilization metrics (for example, 80% capacity on certain tables). However, real-world variability, from changing weekday patterns to unexpected table conditions, made this all-encompassing automation challenging. That’s why the current Brain focuses on a highly configurable rule-based system, which can incorporate machine learning insights to refine assignments.

Time Savings

Manual table allocation is time-consuming and prone to human error.

Optimization

The Brain uses a rule-based approach, informed by machine learning (where applicable), to help restaurants configure how they want to manage table assignments.

Scalability

As aleno expanded, ensuring that restaurants could maintain optimal seating even on the busiest days became essential.

Key AI-driven features

Thanks to the Brain’s consistent analysis and data-driven approach, restaurants are able to seat more guests efficiently while offering a better overall experience.

Automatic Table Allocation

Manual table allocation is time-consuming and prone to human error.

Intelligent Suggestions

The Brain uses a rule-based approach, informed by machine learning (where applicable), to help restaurants configure how they want to manage table assignments.

Configurable Rules & Priorities

Restaurants can decide if guests can share tables, define custom table groupings, or automatically block off specific areas.

expertise

The client’s opinion

“Vazco and aleno have been cooperating for a very long time, and that means something. What I value most in Vazco is the way they combine technical expertise with business understanding. It's a real asset of working with them.”

Eli Geoffroy

Chief Product Officer at aleno

“When I have the opportunity, I recommend them. We’ve been working for a long time. All projects were always well-made. Usually, we get full service - from the idea to the design and implementation. They are experts.”

Ivica Belenovic

Co-founder & CEO at aleno

What has been delivered?

Interactive graphical interface representing the restaurant’s room layout (touchscreen compatible)

Translatable system and content through an in-app translation system

Reservation widget that can be embedded in external websites

AI-driven table assignment (“The Brain”) seamlessly integrated with the SaaS ecosystem

Fully-fledged payments solution with multiple providers

Real-time communication between clients and restaurants

SMS and email notifications around the booking

SaaS system with extensive options of customizations

Both GraphQL and REST APIs for further customizability

Key numbers

1000+

Companies using aleno

Solution trusted by both best-known hotel chains and Michelin star award-winning restaurants.

Countries covered

aleno’s partnership with other businesses allowed it to expand its services to the entire DACH region.

Years of partnership

After aleno achieved the market leader status, the future of our cooperation looks even more promising.

How does our collaboration look like now?

Sustained business growth

There is nothing better than contributing to our client's success. However, in order for it to last, it is necessary to constantly develop the cooperation and face increasingly ambitious goals.

Ongoing development optimization

Well-planned development process is beneficial for everyone. Since the moment we joined the project, one of the significant areas of our service is to provide processes tailored to aleno's needs.

Strengthening of collaboration

Due to the mutual trust, Vazco is currently responsible for recruiting new people to join the aleno tech team, helping ensure the right expertise is in place for both general development and AI-focused initiatives.

A cutting-edge reservation management system