| Wireless local-area-network technology makes | | | | Floridian near the Disney Boardwalk timeshares. |
| wireless point of sale (POS) applications possible in | | | | For example, with handheld units the server can |
| hotels, restaurants, and other food service | | | | discreetly take an order for wine and have the |
| facilities such as stadiums and arenas. | | | | wine delivered to the diners while still at the table |
| Antennas are used as access points to manage | | | | completing the food order. |
| the communications with the wireless handheld | | | | But most chain restaurants want to simply save |
| units. Normally one antenna is required per | | | | time by turning tables more quickly so they can |
| restaurant, although it could require more | | | | serve more customers. The biggest advantage of |
| depending on the size, layout and construction of | | | | handhelds is that they speed up service and |
| the facility. | | | | increase order-throughput. Servers can handle |
| As many as 225 handheld units can be run off | | | | more tables using handhelds because they do not |
| one antenna. But the number of antennas usually | | | | have to go back to the kitchen as often. |
| is determined by the square footage of the area | | | | Handhelds thus provide both a |
| that needs to be covered. A site survey of the | | | | volume-of-customers benefit and a |
| facility is conducted to determine how many | | | | customer-service benefit. |
| antennas are needed. | | | | Servers using handheld units with credit-card |
| While point-of-sale system providers agree | | | | readers and separate mobile printers can |
| wireless systems were a small part of the | | | | complete the credit-card transaction at the table, |
| market in 2007, most anticipate significant growth | | | | saving time compared to going back and forth to |
| in the wireless sector in 2008 and are working on | | | | a non-mobile POS touch-screen. |
| solutions for future customers. | | | | Another potential benefit of handhelds is up-selling |
| In North America, the wireless POS system was | | | | the order. Restaurants can save more time and |
| initially only in stadium markets due to the limited | | | | increase revenues by up-selling if they are willing |
| user interfaces screens on the handheld units. It | | | | to change some of their practices, according to |
| was a good fit because stadiums have limited | | | | several restaurant experts. |
| menus and servers had to cover large areas, | | | | The current method is to hire one server to |
| such as all the club box seats. | | | | handle five or six tables. That server will then do |
| One challenge has been to get the user interface | | | | all the service for those tables, perhaps including |
| on the handheld the same as it is on a | | | | setting the table and cleaning it off. With wireless |
| touch-screen. Unless restaurants convert their | | | | handhelds, restaurants can hire salespeople who |
| whole operation to handheld units, the two | | | | are good at up-selling and all they do is greet and |
| screens must to be the same. | | | | take orders. They can recommend a dessert or |
| Other factors that inhibit the growth of wireless | | | | drink with a certain meal. |
| POS systems are cost, concerns about | | | | If a hotel has a wireless LAN installed, they can |
| depersonalized service, the handheld unit's | | | | use it for wireless POS. That same device can be |
| durability, and a lack of wireless standards. The | | | | used to order items for the restaurant and hotel, |
| biggest challenge, however, to wireless Point of | | | | or for any other back-of-the-house use. |
| Sale (POS) handheld order transmitters in | | | | Wireless technology also checks-in guests and |
| restaurants is changing the basic way that | | | | manages housekeeping activities. |
| restaurants operate. | | | | Many hotel food and beverage operations are |
| A much faster turnover on the table with a | | | | finding ways to use wireless, whether it is |
| wireless, handheld solution for servers is quite | | | | banquets, room service or on casino floors. The |
| possible. Table turns are considered more | | | | use of wireless at pools and beach bars is big |
| important at chain restaurants than at hotel | | | | because of the long distances that the server |
| restaurants, according to industry insiders. | | | | staff needs to cover. |
| Another benefit to handhelds beyond faster table | | | | A return of investment in the handheld order |
| turns is enhancing the guest experience. | | | | transmitting technology in restaurants is realistic in |
| Servers at nice restaurants such as those in | | | | six to twelve months. The return is accomplished |
| several Disney timeshare resorts can provide a | | | | through increased revenues from table turns, |
| wow-factor, personal touch and create a positive, | | | | reduction of labor costs, and fewer |
| enhanced guest experience. This particularly | | | | communications errors between servers and the |
| appeals to up-market four and five star hotel | | | | kitchen. Communication errors cause both costly |
| restaurants like Victoria and Alberts at the Grand | | | | food-waste and customer dissatisfaction issues. |