How tablet-based POS systems integrate with Kitchen Display Systems

This month we published an article in Restaurant & Catering Magazine and have added the article to this blog with some more pictures.

How tablet-based POS Systems integrate with Kitchen Display Systems

Tablet-based hospitality POS coupled with Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are becoming the preferred ordering model for modern venues.

Unique features

KDS is built-in to the software. Any tablet, computer screen or smart TV can be used to display order status. Check-boxes synchronise across all stations to inform staff. Category selection is done on a per device basis allowing staff to view what they require. The ‘virtual ticket spike’ allows staff to scroll through the entire order history and replicates the paper spike. Ross Orr, developer/director of SplitAbility, has noticed a marked increase in the switch to bump screens as businesses move to the modern approach.

Fixed cost: multiple devices/all platforms

Add as many devices as you need; the $60-month plan covers the entire site for registers, tablets, KDS, smartphones and smart TVs. The product has a suite of built-in functions, such as online order-ahead ‘fast.cafe’, takeaway maps, table management and more.

Bill splitting

By allowing multiple totals on a single order, splitting bills is as easy as touching the item and assigning to a name. Both upfront and retrospective splitting is supported. Direct payment integration means the app can run natively on payment platforms such as ANZ’s BladePay or CBA’s Albert that use Android OS.

Menu changes

Agile venues change their offerings daily. This is achieved by simply editing an online spreadsheet. SplitAbility is authorised by Google to access ‘Drive’ and ‘Sheets’. Categories, button graphics, prices or colours can by changed and propagate to all devices.

Using data network

This cloud-based system seamlessly switches to the mobile data network if required, allowing recovery from wi-fi black spots.

Uptime and support

With a 100% uptime record over six years, SplitAbility is unmatched for service availability with 24/7 phone access to a system expert.

This video show how easy it is to use the KDS with an iPad or any tablet

For more information visit: splitability.com

CBA Albert - Integrated EFTPOS

We now have "Paired" operation available for the Comm-bank's Albert EFTPOS terminal.

See here Albert EFTPOS for our previous post on the Albert.

After installing the app from CBA's App-Bank, SplitAbility POS can run either as a standalone POS or as a slave driven from another screen.

This video shows how it works:

Master/Slave operation offers two key benifits:

1. Improved efficiency.
2. The elimination of keying errors.

A quick demonstration on how to set up "Paired" operation:

See also www.splitability.com/payment-services/

For more information visit: splitability.com

Are Docket Rails Done?

Most certainly, docket rails are soon to become an artifact of the hospitality industry.

Just as cash registers have made way for touch screens and tablet based point of sale systems, paper tickets are being replaced with the KDS (Kitchen Display System) or bump screen.

Key benefits:

• Improved speed and efficiency
• Order tracking - who’s ordering, who’s waiting
• How long they’ve been waiting
• Distribute orders to particular stations
• Lower cost - no printers, no paper, no ribbons
• Easy order history retrieval

Although having been around for a while, up until recently kitchen display systems were beyond the reach of most smaller cafes and restaurants, due to the required on site hardware and expensive licensed software. Learn more system differences explained.

The delivery model is changing, meaning KDS can now be supplied at a fraction of the cost to the older installed systems.

Screens and tablets can now simply synchronize via the Internet.

So along with kitchen printers and paper tickets, order docket holders have had their time in the sun.

The shift is underway, early adopters are well into the take up phase of this technology. So if you're interested in avoiding the paper shuffle, to improve your order docket management, it's time to make the move to the virtual spike.

This video is getting a lot of interest, it shows how easy it is to make the transition away from paper based ordering processes.

For more information visit: splitability.com

Speed - A Key Metric

There's lots to consider when choosing an on-line point of sale system for your business, but there is one factor that stands out.

Speed of Operation!

It's a benchmark that ranks above all others. Button images help make for a fast system, as they allow for quick recognition of menu items.

Consistent design improves navigation speed.

But whether you use a single register or multiple tablets, an important detail that also feeds into the speed equation is:

The time it takes for the POS to do a full reload 🔄

That is, the time taken to do a complete reload of the app from scratch to taking and sending orders.

The above video shows a POS system that has both lightning fast operational speed as well as fast refresh and load times. Starting the app from scratch to printing orders is done in around 2 to 3 seconds!

Whether cold booting a computer or powering up a device after it has run low on battery level, app refresh & reload is an unavoidable process you'll need to do from time to time. So be sure to do some tests when doing your system trials, otherwise you may be setting yourself up for some frustration down the track.

Want more speed? Ensure you have fast printers: Lean more.

Turbo-charge your operational processes with a fast point of sale system.

For more information visit: splitability.com

POS & Kitchen Display Systems

Predominantly used in quick service restaurants, Kitchen Display Systems aka KDS are increasingly being used more widely in hospitality as the barriers to using them such as cost are falling dramatically.

The benefits are clear:

• No lost tickets - the virtual spike holds all orders
• No unreadable tickets - all orders in double size text
• Retrieve any ticket that is accidentally cleared
• Improved service times
• Category selection on a per screen or per station basis
• Faster operation - instant updates
• Save on back of house operational costs

Paperless equals environmentally friendly.

Form more information: https://www.splitability.com/kitchen-display-system/

www.splitability.com

Restaurant & Catering Magazine - Tablet Tips

The March edition of Restaurant & Catering magazine asks five key questions to those considering tablet POS systems:

Restaurant POS Systems Tablet Tips

Five questions to ask when considering tablet POS systems:

Can you add more devices?

As your business grows or to cope with rush hour, being able to add tablets or pop out your smart phone and start ordering is a real advantage. But should you need to pay to add more devices? SplitAbility’s subscription model is simple. For $60/month, you can use as many devices as you like, download the app and you’re good to go!

Which platform?

Platform agnostic equals future proof. For example, payment terminals like CBA’s Albert require a native Android app. SplitAbility is certified to run on the Albert as well as iPad integrated payment terminals.

How easy are menu changes?

Agile venues change their offerings daily, so you’ll need to propagate entire menu changes to all devices effortlessly. SplitAbility allows you to edit your online menu/s (Google Drive Spreadsheet/s), then push it live to all tablets with a single click.

Can you use the data network?

Wi-fi signal levels vary as your venue fills. True cloud-based tablet systems seamlessly switch to the mobile data network if required, allowing recovery from wi-fi black spots.

What’s the track record?

Talk to businesses that use the system you’re considering, check review sites as past performance is a good indication of how well a tablet system works. With a 100 per cent uptime record over five years and now processing thousands of transactions per hour, SplitAbility POS is unmatched when it comes to reliability. SplitAbility uses Google Cloud Infrastructure with App Engine and Firebase providing its lightning fast operation and stability.

Call 1300 ANY POS (1300 269 767) or visit www.splitability.com

Albert EFTPOS terminal

Merchants who use Comm-bank's new Albert terminal can now install and run SplitAbility POS as a fully integrated native payments App.

The new mobile POS solution can benefit hospitality businesses who seek to streamline their processes and improve efficiency.

CBA signed off on the App last week after a certification process including:

• Technical requirements.
• Security compliance.
• Business reviews & in house testing.

What exactly does this mean for merchants who take card payments?
A one minute video is worth 1.8 million words :-)

A users guide to the Albert can be found here: Albert merchant user guide.

Businesses looking for terminal devices that offer more than just card payment processing may be surprised to find what can be done on the Albert.

Payment services Comm-Bank.

Key benefits:

• One subscription - unlimited devices.
• Take orders and payments from the same device.
• Sync with Apple iPads/phones, Android tablets/phones or Windows devices.

• Print using Albert's printer or send tickets to an external printer.
• Per customer bill splitting.

• Manage tabs with menu items.
• Order ahead with fast.cafe.

Technical:

Albert runs version 4.0.x of the Android operating system also known as "Ice Cream Sandwich". It has various security enhancements applied and requires Apps to comply with SEAndroid restrictions before being allowed on the App bank.

For more information visit: splitability.com