Have you ever boiled a kettle without keeping an eye on it, or placed an online order without getting status updates? If so, you’re likely familiar with that subtle anxiety caused by anticipation and a lack of information.
This is similar to the experience of a customer waiting in line to order a cup of coffee and a piece of pastry, then wondering: Have they started preparing it? Will preparation time take as long as the time spent waiting in line?
One of the best technological tools that addressed this dilemma in recent years is Order Status Screen, which serves as a communication bridge between customers, service staff, and the kitchen.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of Order Status Screens, it is certain that they appeared alongside the rise of Point-of-Sale (POS) systems in the 1990s, which surpassed a million users in Saudi Arabia by 2021.
Initially, these screens were designed for the cashier, containing essential information to process a customer’s order, such as the type of order, quantity, and payment method.
Over time, they evolved to serve all areas of restaurant operations, from front-of-house, to back-of-house staff, and eventually, the customer.
They first gained popularity in fast-food restaurants due to the nature of their operations and the type of customers they serve, who require precision, speed, and efficient management.
Today, however, order status screens have become an integral part of lean restaurant and cafe operations across all categories. For example:
The purpose of an order status screen is to keep the service staff, customers, and kitchen staff in the loop, improving communication and effectively managing the process. For instance, order status screens enable:
Although the concept of order status screens is simple, it has made a significant impact on restaurant operations, much like the integration of Pagers in restaurant workflows. For example, it:
Additionally, restaurant owners have leveraged these screens for marketing purposes, using the waiting time to promote other products and offers on the screen.
In a world driven by technology and constant innovation, order status screens have not remained static.
Order tracking has significantly evolved, allowing customers to monitor their orders without needing to physically approach a screen. Now, they can check their order’s status from their phone whether in their car, a waiting area, or wherever they may be.
Recently, a new concept has emerged: using Augmented Reality (AR) to display virtual characters that represent the stages of order processing, from receipt to preparation and completion. This aims to shift the customer’s focus away from waiting, enhancing their overall satisfaction.
Recent trends in the restaurant and cafe industry reveal that the true advantage today lies in utilizing data and modern technologies to streamline operations, particularly in a competitive market growing by 5-6% annually in Saudi Arabia.
At Ballurh, we believe in the power of seizing the moment to influence outcomes and the crucial role data plays in decision-making. That’s why we’ve introduced a new feature: Proactive Analysis Alerts.
Similar to how order status screens reduce customer inquiries, Ballurh offers the same ease for restaurant owners and managers.
Rather than relying on staff for performance updates or financial reports, Ballurh automatically schedules and delivers these insights daily, weekly, or monthly.
This allows restaurant owners to effortlessly monitor sales, inventory, and order trends with all the essential details at their fingertips.
Imagine this: a major event brings a surge of people to your area, and your restaurant or cafe experiences a spike in demand. One of your items quickly becomes the top seller, but with the unexpected rush, your stock runs out sooner than planned.
As a result, you’re forced to decline orders, leading to lost revenue and missed opportunities to attract new customers.
With Proactive Analysis Alerts, this situation can be entirely avoided! The system sends real-time predictive notifications directly to your phone, alerting you to any stock shortages or rising demand for specific items.
This gives you ample time to restock supplies or offer alternatives, ensuring smoother operations and better customer satisfaction.
For more information about Ballurh or the Proactive Analysis Alerts feature, contact our Business Success Team at 920031412.
A business intelligence platform that seamlessly integrated with local POS to build actionable insights from joined-up data for F&B retailers to enhance decision-making, increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction.
