For Here or To-Go? By Oliver Lewis At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

For years, the "takeout food" industry has relied upon the telephone. If someone wanted a pizza for example, he/she would call the local pizza restaurant, tell the person on the other end what was desired, give delivery instructions, and then wait. The food would arrive, and everyone wins. Sometimes however the order taker would write the order out incorrectly for kitchen staff, or the delivery driver would forget something. This would naturally lead to the customer's dissatisfaction. Technology has changed this routine just a little bit.

Over the years some restaurants changed over to handling takeout orders by fax machine. They did so in an effort to free employees time such that they can focus on other areas, such as actually preparing food. Even the fax machine however is now starting to be replaced by alternate technology.

In more recent times, customers have been able to order via the internet. The customer goes online places the order exactly the way it is desired. Like magic, the order arrives. On the other end, the restaurant receives the request via facsimile or on a computer, and makes the order to the customer’s request. While this method increased the odds of satisfying the customer, it still left room for improvement.

Technology has led us to an even more efficient way of handling takeout orders. The customers will still be able to place their orders online. The difference is at the restaurant end. Instead of having to deal with a fax machine, and monthly cost of a phone line, or possible computer failure, they can utilize an SMS Printer.

An SMS Printer is a device that receives SMS messages (e.g. customer orders), and then prints out for the intended recipient. There is no phone line required. The SMS Printer is run by a mobile connection. The convenience of it is that it may sit in any location that has an electrical outlet nearby. Placing it in the kitchen just may be the ideal location, since those are the people who will be fulfilling the order. In some situations, it may be better to place it nearby customer service representatives. Either way it is small enough that it may go just about anywhere convenient to the restaurant.

The idea of the SMS Printer is to process an order with little or no flaws. The customer may go online and request a specific meal, their order will then be forwarded seamlessly by the website to the SMS Printer located in the restaurant which will then print out the details.

Fax machines were great for a while, but they became a hassle. They typically could only go in the office. The fax required both an electrical outlet and a phone outlet. During dining hour's staff would normally either be making food or assisting the restaurant in other areas. The office is the last place to expect to find someone during a busy dinner rush.

SMS Printers, and other modern technology permit employees to focus their time on serving customers rather than the administrative overhead of taking orders over time intensive mediums such as the telephone.

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