Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
sfgate.com
sfgate.com
Menu systems are simple, and don't need much in the way of processing power. They don't need to be full-featured web browsers, or be able to run high-end games. An e-Ink screen would be enough for most places. This approach even makes sense from a recycling point of view - just use screens from old iPads or Kindles for the in-house tablets.
Another fine example: the Kno
That, and you need better signature capture.
Why do the banks need signatures in the US? Specially badly-drawn ones that don't even ressemble the actual signatures? (I can never sign properly in one of those POS machines from CVS, ever)
Some banks now offer the option to bypass signature capture at the tradeoff of a slightly higher merchant rate. Many quick-serve restaurants (Chipotle comes to mind) will take the hit in return for processing customers faster. Time is money.
Given how badly I sign the UPS pad when picking up a delivery, I can't see these signatures as being usable.
This sentence confused me momentarily. "Hmm. Isn't a server just a type of computer?"
> Well ok, necessity is the mother of invention.
"People say it's very inhospitable. But it's the epitome of hospitality. It empowers the guest to get in and to get out."
> Wow, the irony (and sadness) are overflowing.
The only time I can really see this being more useful to me, is when I can't get a hold of my wait(er/ress) to bring the check or run my card. And here's a better idea that I'm a give you all for free. Near field communication with cellphones and a chip in the table. Open up my payment app, close and pay for the check with my cellphone. Put a few bucks tip on the table and leave like it's the old days before credit cards.
Goes hand in hand with this comment. Scary faceless world..
Who the hell are you tipping?
(Izakaya = the type of place Japanese people drink which is most easily described as booze and tapas)
This really puts the "No really, talk to your customers on occasion" battle into perspective. For so many of us, the first reaction to this kind of idea is to fire up an IDE, not to temporarily change careers.
In a way I'm surprised the large chains haven't already started to use customer-facing touch screen ordering, especially with the huge bump paper and printing costs went through several years ago.
That, plus most quick service restaurants do a majority of their business in the drive-through now. Ever see a line of cars out to the street and then go inside the store? Empty counters.