SambaPOS Forum

English Boards => Support => Topic started by: maozen on March 27, 2012, 01:56:14 pm

Title: kitchen orders
Post by: maozen on March 27, 2012, 01:56:14 pm
Hi've

First of all compliments for the grat job you've done!

I own a Japanese restaurant in Roma and i'm thinking to adopt SAMBA instead of my actual POS.

I've bought it.... but it's one year that i'm fighting with assistance that never solve problems..... even the stupid one!!

I was a programmer and software analyst for company management software for something like 10 years so i've a bit of knowledge in accounting and storage matters....

Anyway

I've a couple of questions about the kitchen orders

I give to all my guest a "Chef Welcome" this is gift and should not go on the bill.
It's possible to have some article not printed on the bill ?

The second question is regarding the customer orders, here usually people order all the food in one time but they don't want all the food at the same time.
It's possible to have all the order in one ticket with the food divided according the requested exiting order ?

For me this is very important because some preparation needs a lot of time, so if the kitchen receive all the order togheter could start some preparation even if they are for the second or third course.

If could be possible to have items not printed on the bill even if they are on the ticket send to the kitchen, could be possible to manage even the courses order.

Simply creating a group in the menu with articles called like *****COURSE 1**** or something like that and use this articles when u need to have a break in the order.

Many thanks
MAO
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on March 27, 2012, 02:54:49 pm
Hi,

Have a look here for product grouping http://forum2.sambapos.org/index.php/topic,218.msg1146.html#msg1146 (http://forum2.sambapos.org/index.php/topic,218.msg1146.html#msg1146)

Setup your products in groups as entrees, mains, dessert, etc to split them on the kitchen order.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on March 27, 2012, 09:39:13 pm
If you leave Gift Line Template empty on Ticket Template, it will skip printing all gifted lines.

If you want to disable printing for individual items on Bills :
Since Null Printer not configured to a physical printer it should skip all mapped printouts.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: maozen on March 28, 2012, 10:27:04 am
Hi,

Have a look here for product grouping http://forum2.sambapos.org/index.php/topic,218.msg1146.html#msg1146 (http://forum2.sambapos.org/index.php/topic,218.msg1146.html#msg1146)

Setup your products in groups as entrees, mains, dessert, etc to split them on the kitchen order.

Hi Johns,
Thanks for the answer but this solution don't solve my problems, i've some products like sashimi that could be ordered as appetizer first or second course so grouping as entrees is not a solution, i will get wrong exit order from the kitchen or i should replicate the same product under different groups and this will be a mess....

Thanks for the help!
MAO
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on March 28, 2012, 03:13:31 pm
I have come across the same problem.

Duplicate the items, because most of the time if an entree is ordered as a main, you would increase the portion size and cost. Yes its messy.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on March 29, 2012, 05:27:42 am
This feature is called "March" in our country. In some restaurants Chef Waiter tracks table status with eye and manually advances ticket to the next state. That prints a small note something like "March Course 2 for Table B24!" and waiters start to serve course 2. To be able to handle such cases I've implemented Order Tags feature for V3 but it might be possible for V2 too.

How can we group items by courses?
There is a hidden tag data stored for ticket items. I normally implemented it for storing promotion info with ticket items but it can be used for that purpose. To be able to expose that I've added two little features. One of them is "Update Ticket Item Tag" action and the other one is {ITEM TAG} placeholder for group templates.

How we'll tag items?
We can choose a ticket tag for activating a course, store that tag value as a setting and tag new orders with that setting on "Line added to Ticket" event . It will display tag next to price tag in square brackets.

How we'll march?
We'll need an additional print job here. User will change active course by choosing ticket tag and click "March" button for printing march note.

I'll test that and if everything works fine you'll receive it on next update.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: maozen on March 29, 2012, 10:59:22 am
Hi emre,

Thanks for your answer, i've also found a way for manage the courses using the gift option.

I've done in the following  way :

1) Create a Ticket Tag called "COURSES" or wathever you need and add how many sub tags as courses you need and call then "COURSE 1" "COURSE 2" "COURSE 3" and so on

2) create how many articles how many sub tags you created and call them  "COURSE 1" "COURSE 2" "COURSE 3" and so on

3) assignt them to the group "COURSES"

4) Edit all the department where you need to manage courses and the ticket tag you created

5) create so many actions as articles you created each action must be in this way :
       Actione Name : same name of the article you created EG "COURSE 1"
       Action Type : Add Ticket Item
       Menu Item Name : the article you created "COURSE 1"
       Gift : True

6) create so many rules as action you created each rule must be in this way :
       Rule Name : Same of the Action
       Event Name : Ticket Tag Selected
       Tag Name : "COURSES"
       Tag Value : the name of the sub tag you created EG : "COURSE 1"
       Actions : select the action with the same name of the rule you're creating EG: "COURSE 1"

6) Create a NULL PRINTER like explained in the previuos emre post

7) Modify the Gift Line Template in the Kitchen order template in the way you want the courses will be printed

8) Modify the print job for the bill as emre explained in the previos post with the only difference to select the product group you created instead of a single product. 

In this way works quite fine the only problem i'm having is that if the same product is ordered 2 times 1 time like first course and one time like second course they are printed togheter as 2 portions in the first course.

I've 3 doubt about the printer template

1) what's the use of the check box "merge lines" in my template is uncheked but lines seems be merged.
2) Whats the group template
3) it's possible to leave a blank line between two section or before/after each line?

Hope not forget nothing....
I'm testing this solution and looks works good but your solution looks better! waiting news!
Thanks
Bye
MAO
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on March 29, 2012, 02:51:55 pm
Today we talked with Mehmet (my partner) about the case and created a setup. The main idea is similar to yours but I've tweaked some actions for better handling of the case. When I finish preparing the release I'll write a tutorial about it. Thanks.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: maozen on March 29, 2012, 04:13:30 pm
GREAT!!
THANKS!!
MAO
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on March 29, 2012, 05:53:47 pm
OK. This tutorial uses most new automation improvements and while creating that setup I've remembered all people who helped me while building them. Thanks to everyone...

This is something we experienced even we started building SambaPOS. One of our restaurant customer requested our help about this topic and we tried to find a solution but their software was not flexible enough for their need. Today we tried it again with SambaPOS and succeeded on building a reasonable solution. You can configure it for your need.

The case is waiter receives order, groups them and serve them in that group order. We'll see how we'll handle this case..

Course Tags
First we'll need ticket tags for choosing groups. We'll call these groups as Courses. I created a ticket tag group, name it as "Courses" and added "Course 1, Course 2, Course 3, Course 4" sub tags. Added it to Restaurant Department. Now I'll have "Courses" button and when I click it I can select a course.


Storing Active Course
I have to store last selected Course Tag value somewhere so I can tag new ticket lines with that value.

Action for Storing Active Course Value
Rule for Updating Active Course Value

Updating Ticket Item Tag
We'll configure ticket to tag Ticket Item with selected Courses Tag.

Action for Updating Ticket Item Tag
Rule for Updating Ticket Item Tag
You can create additional action and rule for updating new Ticket's Course Tag and Setting to "Course 1" automatically. So you won't select a tag for Course 1 orders after creating a new ticket. For keeping tutorial short I'll skip this part. If asked I can tell details.

At this stage order lines will be tagged with last Selected Order Tag value. You should be able to see tag values next to prices in square brackets.

Printing Orders in Groups
Grouping kitchen orders by Ticket Item Tag is easy. Just open Kitchen Orders Template and enter these values in Group Template:

<C00>
{ITEM TAG}
<F>-

<C00>: Creates a blank line
{ITEM TAG}: Prints Course Value. You can use <L11> for printing it bigger or write it as **{ITEM TAG}** for easier reading.
<F>-: Creates a full line with - character

-------------
End of first part...
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on March 29, 2012, 06:41:42 pm
Kitchen received orders grouped by courses but how they'll know when to serve? In this tutorial we'll implement Marching feature. The term "March" used in our country for defining next course serve. I don't know the exact term used in English. You may name it as you wish :)

We'll use another set of Ticket Tags for starting next course serve. When we choose a Marching tag it will automatically print a small note from Kitchen Printer for notifying them about upcoming serve.

We'll create Ticket Tags for triggering March notifications.
Printer Settings For March Notification
We need a print template for notifications. 
<T>SERVICE NOTIFICATION
<L10>{TICKETTAG:March}
<L10>{TICKETTAG:Courses}
<L10>Table : {TABLE}


You can format it as you need...

Additionally we'll need a print job.
Printing Notification
Action for Printing Notification
Action for Toggling Course Tag
We'll use this action for advancing Course Tag to next Tag.
Hint: When we enter multiple tags separated with comma this action will cycle tag values on each call. If it gets called when Ticket Course Tag is "Course 2", ticket tag becomes "Course 3"

Rule for Printing Notification
Waiter will choose desired Course and click March for printing a notification. Courses tag will also advance to next tag...


(http://i.imgur.com/k04e1.jpg?1)


Note: Gert J. Thank you for the backup :)
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: CafeCuppio on March 29, 2012, 10:07:00 pm
Hmmm, I thought that screenshot looked too fimiliar, hehehe

My pleasure Emre!

Great job, once again ;)
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on March 31, 2012, 07:30:31 pm
Emre,

Love it!

Can we have two Item Tags? One for Course & one for Seat?

I have setup a Seat Ticket Tag and it appends to the Course (ie, [Course 1 - Seat 1], [Course 1 - Seat 2]), but the grouping on the Kitchen tickets will not be by Course alone, but also by Seat as the grouping is on the whole tag.

Could we use a separator in the Item Tag to designate first sort, second sort like [Course 1|Seat 1] for the grouping?
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on April 01, 2012, 04:36:52 pm
John, I'm asking to be ensure I'm understanding it right. You have no problem with handling tagging but you need to sort items properly while printing. Is it true?
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 01, 2012, 05:36:49 pm
Because we only have one Tag per item, both Course & Seat make that one Tag - No issues with adding extra info to the Tag, that was easy.
When you group to print, it will group by the whole Tag which will display (now I haven't fully tested every possibility and it should print but I can't get my receipt printer running under Win7 64Bit to test)

** Course 1- Seat 1 **
     Dish
** Course 1- Seat 2 **
     Dish
** Course 2- Seat 1 **
     Dish

Whereas we need

** Course 1 **
    Seat 1 - Dish
    Seat 2 - Dish
** Course 2 **
    Seat 1 - Dish

So, is it possible to either have two Item Tags, or to have a separator that will allow the Tag to be sorted twice.

[Course 1|Seat1]
[Course 1|Seat2]
[Course 2|Seat1]

** Course 1 **
    Seat 1 - Dish
    Seat 2 - Dish
** Course 2 **
    Seat 1 - Dish

I don't beleive there is a need for more than 2 parts to an Item Tag. This should complete any requirements for a Restaurant and for table service for a Bar.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on April 01, 2012, 05:50:26 pm
John, thank you very much for the visualization. I'll try to find an easy way for better grouping items when merged with a separator. Further implementation will lead us to V3 Order Tags feature so to be able to keep it simple I'll assume we'll have at most two tags merged with a separator.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 01, 2012, 06:00:44 pm
Further implementation will lead us to V3 Order Tags feature so to be able to keep it simple I'll assume we'll have at most two tags merged with a separator.

I understand, thats why I hope there is a simple solution, and suggested a separator to keep it simple.

With a table work flow like Table -> Seat -> Course, I honestly can not see why we would need anything other than Course & Seat in the Item Tag. Anything beyond that is going to need the functionality of V3.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: maozen on April 03, 2012, 07:28:53 am
i'm feeling a little bit stupid......
i can't get get the march notification working.....

if i select an item from the order the march tag disappear,
if i select the march tag and choose something from the right tag window nothing happen...
if i select the march tag and after try to select an item from the order the tag window on the right will close....

in all cases nothing is printed....

I've checked many times actions rules print jobs etc. and look everything according to the tutorial... Where's my mistake?

Thanks
MAO
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 03, 2012, 09:43:19 pm
Printing Orders in Groups
Grouping kitchen orders by Ticket Item Tag is easy. Just open Kitchen Orders Template and enter these values in Group Template:

<C00>
{ITEM TAG}
<F>-

<C00>: Creates a blank line
{ITEM TAG}: Prints Course Value. You can use <L11> for printing it bigger or write it as **{ITEM TAG}** for easier reading.
<F>-: Creates a full line with - character

I assume its not just me, but I can not get ITEM TAG grouping to work. When it did during initial setup, it only would print the first two courses, and only the ITEM TAG for Course 2.

Now it will not print the ITEM TAG headings or print in groups. In fact it ignores the GROUP TEMPLATE all together.
Yes, I'm running 2.93.

PRODUCT GROUP works fine.

Also, the March feature starts from the last Course selected, so you need to hit Course, then Course 1, then hit March.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on April 04, 2012, 01:59:03 am
Printing Orders in Groups
Grouping kitchen orders by Ticket Item Tag is easy. Just open Kitchen Orders Template and enter these values in Group Template:

<C00>
{ITEM TAG}
<F>-

<C00>: Creates a blank line
{ITEM TAG}: Prints Course Value. You can use <L11> for printing it bigger or write it as **{ITEM TAG}** for easier reading.
<F>-: Creates a full line with - character

I assume its not just me, but I can not get ITEM TAG grouping to work. When it did during initial setup, it only would print the first two courses, and only the ITEM TAG for Course 2.

Now it will not print the ITEM TAG headings or print in groups. In fact it ignores the GROUP TEMPLATE all together.
Yes, I'm running 2.93.

PRODUCT GROUP works fine.


I've just noticed when "merge lines" option enabled on printer template ITEM TAG grouping does not work.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on April 04, 2012, 02:05:23 am
i'm feeling a little bit stupid......
i can't get get the march notification working.....

if i select an item from the order the march tag disappear,
if i select the march tag and choose something from the right tag window nothing happen...
if i select the march tag and after try to select an item from the order the tag window on the right will close....

in all cases nothing is printed....

I've checked many times actions rules print jobs etc. and look everything according to the tutorial... Where's my mistake?

Thanks
MAO

You'll first choose a Course Tag for defining active course and select a march tag for printing notification. Choosing a March tag should advance Course Tag to the next course after printing.
There might be a problem with Print March Notification print job mappings.

I'll try to create a sample sdf. as an example.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on April 04, 2012, 02:16:55 am
Also, the March feature starts from the last Course selected, so you need to hit Course, then Course 1, then hit March.

On ticket close We may create additional action for setting up first course if march tag is empty or if sub march tags like "serve in 5 minutes" tag is not needed we may enter course names as march tags.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 04, 2012, 03:19:26 am
When you close a ticket you can't update any ticket tags, and the March tag is set by a local variable.

So you need to reset the Course Tag manually to Course 1 to start Marching :)
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 04, 2012, 06:55:52 am
Found a bug with the order of the ITEM TAG. Infact I think its a Ticket Item bug.

Any products selected with a modifier is placed at the top of the items list on a ticket.

For Example, order entered as

Course 1 - 1 Doz Fresh Oysters
Course 2 - Barramundi & Salad
Course 3 - Garlic Bread
                         * 4 Slices

Kitchen Order and on screen ticket show

Course 3 - Garlic Bread
                         * 4 Slices
Course 1 - 1 Doz Fresh Oysters
Course 2 - Barramundi & Salid


PS - I have created a way for the March to start at Course 1 automatically.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: maozen on April 04, 2012, 08:45:53 am
i'm feeling a little bit stupid......
i can't get get the march notification working.....

if i select an item from the order the march tag disappear,
if i select the march tag and choose something from the right tag window nothing happen...
if i select the march tag and after try to select an item from the order the tag window on the right will close....

in all cases nothing is printed....

I've checked many times actions rules print jobs etc. and look everything according to the tutorial... Where's my mistake?

Thanks
MAO

You'll first choose a Course Tag for defining active course and select a march tag for printing notification. Choosing a March tag should advance Course Tag to the next course after printing.
There might be a problem with Print March Notification print job mappings.

I'll try to create a sample sdf. as an example.

Thanks Emre!!
a sample will be great!!!
i really don't understand where's my mistake.... i've tryed many times......
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 08, 2012, 05:27:10 pm
2.94 has been a welcomed improvement with the modifications to the {ITEM TAG} feature.

I now have Seats sorted and working.

You can select Course & Seat, and it prints grouped by course listing each seats order.
March notification starts at first course by default.
Everytime you select a Course, the Seat resets to Seat 1.

Adding the Seat was as simple as duplicating the Ticket Tag, Rules & Actions of the Course function. The trick is in the 'Update New Line Tag' Rule, change the value to {:COURSE}|{:SEAT}
Then add {ITEM TAG:1} to the front of the Line Template on the Kitchen Orders.

I also added some Rules & Actions to reset the tags on Ticket Create - just to make things a little faster and easier.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on April 09, 2012, 04:00:21 am
Great Sample!
Should we sort group names alphanumerically?
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 09, 2012, 04:19:58 am
Great Sample!
Should we sort group names alphanumerically?
Probably a good idea.
Can we tag the GROUP TEMPLATE in some way to turn sorting on/off? like ascending <ASC>, descending <DES> to enable sorting options.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: JohnS on April 09, 2012, 04:28:23 am
The reason Course 3 is at the top of the Kitchen Ticket is beacuse of the ITEM TAG v's Modifiers bug. Anything modified goes to the top.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: emre on April 09, 2012, 04:54:32 am
The reason Course 3 is at the top of the Kitchen Ticket is beacuse of the ITEM TAG v's Modifiers bug. Anything modified goes to the top.

OK. I'll fix that and if still needed we can implement sort.

Because we named them as course 1, course 2 I logically think they should follow that order but keeping them in the order they entered will be more useful.
Title: Re: kitchen orders
Post by: sukasem on June 16, 2012, 05:38:58 pm
Hi John & Emre,

I just wondering if there any way to change courses/seat instead of cancel it.
Incase server forget to select course and he/she can select course/seat later.
In my case especially seat number is not necessary until customers ask for separate later. So, we can go back and assign seat no. later.

Thanks,
Sukasem