2. The reliance on the new system will require some type of backup of the produc

Question

2. The reliance on the new system will require some type of backup of the production data. What advice would you offer Tyler for this important function?

KIMBALL’S RESTAURANT: Hardware for the Appetite
Tyler and Michael have worked on the marketing plan for the new location. They believe that it will be successful in expanding their marketing reach to gain new customers for Kimball’s lakeside location. Now it was time to turn their attention to improving the operational aspect of their business. At the top of their list was determining what restaurant software would best fit their needs for the new location, and if their current computer hardware could handle it.

Talking Technical

Tyler and his parents agreed that upgrading their information system would help create a more efficient operation at the existing restaurant, and provide a solid base for launching their new location. They also were excited about having access to additional data and reporting capabilities to help them evaluate and plan more efficiently and effectively. What they didn’t know was what hardware and software they needed to achieve their goals.

Tyler contacted Clark Howard at posiDining Systems (PDS), the software company that installed their current POS system. They selected PDS’s entry-level version several years ago as a low-cost option to automate the operations.

Since the installation of the PDS system, some of the issues have been reduced (see previous chapter cases for additional explanation). However, he is concerned that the version of the system they are using may not be

enough for the new location. He was concerned that the servers manually entered orders into the system based on notes taken at the table. There could be mistakes in either the writing or entry of the customer orders.

Tyler explained the estimated volume that was anticipated at the new restaurant as well as some of the management issues that were anticipated at the new location. Clark and Tyler reviewed the number of workstations needed by the wait and kitchen staff as well as the dining and bar area seating chart. Clark told Tyler that the more robust version of PDS’s product would be able to operate the new location effectively, provide more data for management, and avoid some of the problems they’re currently experiencing with the POS system.

Although Tyler wanted an information system that could help his family operate and manage the restaurant effectively, he was also concerned about the cost and the learning curve associated with a new system for both staff and management. Clark understood his concerns. Tyler asked if it would be possible to install the upgraded system at the current location for 2-3 months while the lakeside location was being prepared. Although there might be some additional cost to install and reinstall the hardware and software, they could train people at the current location so the transition to the new location would be less stressful.

Clark said he would prepare a proposal for this phased-in approach that would detail the associated costs for the restaurant.

Explanation / Answer

The advice to Tyler is as follows:

The new system should solve the key problem of the restaurant. The servers who enter the data manually into the system should be avoided. There can be mistakes. What Tyler should do is that he should ask for a bar-coded menu card for the servers. Once the servers have written down the orders at the tables, they should use a scanner on bar coded menu cards at the input table. This will reduce the need for work-stations and will also bring down the possibility of errors in data entry. This suggestion will not only increase the accuracy of data entry but will also reduce costs for Tyler.

The suggestion of Tyler is acceptable; the system should be upgraded at the current location for 2-3 months while the lakeside location is under renovation and is being prepared. Also, at the current location, it will be easy for Tyler to monitor the new system and check if it addresses the current issues related customer volume and management satisfactorily. A good point of sales system uses barcode readers. If Clark deploys barcode readers and supplies bar-menu cards for data entry, then Tyler’s cost will come down because the number of workstations will decrease and the servers will not have to manually enter data for each order received from customers. This will reduce mistakes.

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