online Online ordering system for a restaurant

[whitebread]

I have been asked to develop a website for a restaurant. That much is easy. I was wondering, though, whether it would be feasible to implement an online ordering system for the website.

My thinking is this: the website generates a PDF of the order, sends an email to a fax-through-email service and then the restaurant is sent a fax.

Would there be a better way? A similar idea I had was to enter the order in a database, have a program (running on a computer at the restaurant) poll the database on a regular interval, and display a notification (play a sound, print something, etc) when an order is received.

What do you guys think?

[winrez]

That's getting way more complicated than you might want to handle by yourself (as it would have to tie in to their crm/pos software) The first way that you posted is probably the best but it wouldn't take credit cards

[V-Tech]

You should check what POS software the restaurant is using and see if it's possible to connect to it somehow.

If you connect to the POS then it will save you from updating the menu whenever it's changed because it will be done automatically when the POS will change and it will allow you to print a receipt using the POS system.

[u2_storm]

This might be a long shot but there is loads of take away places in the UK that use sites like just-eat.co.uk etc I'm sure that there must be things like that for the US as well? Just a thought....

[whitebread]

You should check what POS software the restaurant is using and see if it's possible to connect to it somehow.

If you connect to the POS then it will save you from updating the menu whenever it's changed because it will be done automatically when the POS will change and it will allow you to print a receipt using the POS system.

She doesn't use a POS system. It's all done by hand (hand-written bills).

This might be a long shot but there is loads of take away places in the UK that use sites like just-eat.co.uk etc I'm sure that there must be things like that for the US as well? Just a thought....

Never heard of it, but I will take a look to see if there is something similar in Canada. :)

That's getting way more complicated than you might want to handle by yourself (as it would have to tie in to their crm/pos software) The first way that you posted is probably the best but it wouldn't take credit cards

She doesn't accept credit cards, so that won't be an issue. (Y)

[V-Tech]

Hmm, how can you make reservations online if the place does not accept CC? You cant allow people to just place reservations without actually paying for them or the restaurant will loose a lot of money from people that will decide to be evil and make reservations for nothing.

[whitebread]

Hmm, how can you make reservations online if the place does not accept CC? You cant allow people to just place reservations without actually paying for them or the restaurant will loose a lot of money from people that will decide to be evil and make reservations for nothing.

Good point.

[V-Tech]

Good point.

You can always use PayPal of course but not all people have PayPal. You will have to use a CC system for that.

[muzzle79]

http://www.ordertalk.com/

[imachip]

It's an odd request to be honest because she doesn't accept debit/credit cards it makes it hard to see what the major benefits are for the service for her or the customer.

Yes you could create an online menu page with some admin functionality for her to change the price and add/remove items from sections.

A login/registration page which holds some degree of personal details. You might ask the person to call first for the first order or call back for confirmation of delivery address. Then tick a box for 'regular customer' to bypass this check in future.

Once a form is submitted the system will generate an email with a reference number on it with the order + customer details. Creating a PDF automatically of course requires some degree of coding ability or third party software to automate it.

It would be a good project if you haven't done something like this before but it does require quite a bit of time to get right.

[Salutary7]

I have been asked to develop a website for a restaurant. That much is easy. I was wondering, though, whether it would be feasible to implement an online ordering system for the website.

You need to collaborate with the client just as you would with any other project. What you decide on will depend on how she would prefer to get ordering information and what amount of work she's willing to pay for. Also, if she's not dealing with CCs verification, it's probably a good idea to at least have user registration before they can place orders.

[firey]

I think having a database setup that every minute an app or a php page would query and if an order is there "Unread" flag?? Have it pop up a notification.

On a side note.. if she is looking for a simple POS terminal/setup let me know, as I do software development for a POS company not too far from Waterloo ;)

[whitebread]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Much appreciated. :)

I talked to her and what she wants to do is have a computer setup in the restaurant that polls a server (unless I can figure out a way to do Push notifications). It will have a monitor in the kitchen for her to see the orders.

As for preventing unwanted orders... Users will be asked to provide a name and a phone number. The first time a phone number is used, the restaurant will call the number to confirm the order. Sounds reasonable, right? (Y)

[primexx]

She doesn't use a POS system. It's all done by hand (hand-written bills).

Never heard of it, but I will take a look to see if there is something similar in Canada. :)

She doesn't accept credit cards, so that won't be an issue. (Y)

just-eat.ca

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