Author Topic: Orders via SMS/TEXT  (Read 8757 times)

CafeCuppio

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Orders via SMS/TEXT
« on: March 27, 2012, 06:19:16 am »
Okay ... I know this is not an everyday thing but I thing it would be awesome to to be able to setup SambaPOS to receive orders via SMS/TEXT. I know that this might be going into something very different then just a POS when you talk about receiving SMS/TEXT messages, but who know, maybe someone might have a easy solution to integrate it into SambaPOS.

Just something to think about ;)
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JohnS

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2012, 06:37:56 am »
Having an API will definately make this easier.
I'm not sure about receiving orders due to the inconsistent manner in which people tend to send text messages. A web ordering system may be more practical these days since a lot of people use smart phones.

But to be able to text people that their order is ready would be a nice addition and may actually be achieveable right now via printing/emailing to an SMS gateway application.
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CafeCuppio

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2012, 07:08:40 am »
Hmmm, you are right, the inconsistent format in which people will order will be a problem. But is such a text comes in it might be good that a ticket is created with the text order added as a "note", then someone can just list the items correctly from that note and place the order.

Web orders will also be a great way.
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Even in Namibia, Africa!

emre

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2012, 08:52:19 am »
Did you notice? these days I'm writing "we'll do it on V3" under every requests :) In fact most of these requests come up even before I decided translating SambaPOS to English. While talking about our future plans I've noticed if I try to implement all these features on V2 we'll never have a stable release. So I decided implementing essential cases for V2 and do the rest for V3. For some people this might not seem so right because creating expectations for a future release is not a wise move but I thought having something working is much more important than great features.

Now I have time to create a great integration API for SambaPOS that we'll use for creating services like web ordering, android ordering, e-menu ordering, sms ordering, twitter ordering, msn odering and soo on :) Of course API is not the only thing we need. We need accounting and resource management infrastructures for requests about wage tracking, time tracking, reservations, custom payments, etc... Not detailed as used on big businesses but we need basic features and we need to operate everything together. Still the API will be the most important V3 feature because other developers will be able to develop things through that API without the need of understanding the deep infrastructure.

I'll complete whatever I promised for. The only thing I need is talking about new ideas. (and more facebook photos :) ) Please.. Keep posting anything you can imagine for future SambaPOS. Even talking about SMS may trigger other great features nobody thought before...
« Last Edit: March 27, 2012, 08:55:00 am by emre »

CafeCuppio

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2012, 09:12:35 am »
Coolest ... I am just putting ideas out there, I do understand that not everything can be implemented every time all the time, but like you say, it might even open up other possibilities and having an API can open doors for others to integrate all other goodies. Currently it is very important to have a stable release especially in my business environment and for that I am extremely thankful.

So Emre and the "we" team .... rock on!! ;)
SambaPOS - POS'n the World, one Terminal at a time.
Even in Namibia, Africa!

emre

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2012, 09:27:27 am »
So Emre and the "we" team .... rock on!! ;)

yeah go on!

CafeCuppio

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2012, 09:40:21 am »
I added more photos to the facebook page, just for you Emre!
SambaPOS - POS'n the World, one Terminal at a time.
Even in Namibia, Africa!

oda

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2012, 09:59:29 am »
I like John's idea about sending sms when your food is ready, but I'm thinking more like telling the customers when they have a seat ready. It is for when you are busy and have customer waiting in line for table. Normally, they will give you the thing that will vibrate when you have a seat.

Just my two cents!

Regards,
Leon.

emre

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2012, 10:15:23 am »
Another request is texting customer as soon as a phone order ready to send / take.

emre

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2012, 10:20:44 am »
I added more photos to the facebook page, just for you Emre!

I need to figure out why that stupid Facebook tunnel does not let me feature these great posts on main stream. I have to find a solution for that.

Thank you very much. Nice to see you configured take away prices :)

JohnS

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2012, 06:30:37 am »
Got SMS when an order is ready working with email to sms gateway.
My ISP charges $0.07 per text message and you can set a business name for the number the text comes from, like "Johns Cafe" instead of a mobile number.

Here is a rundown of what I did.


Add new Action for Set Mobile
Settings -> Actions -> Add Action
   - Action Name = Set Mobile
   - Action Type = Update Program Settings
   - Setting Name = CUSTMOBILE
   - Setting Value = [Setting Value]
   - Update Type = Update
   - IsLocal = True

Add new Action for Send SMS Via Email
Settings -> Actions -> Add Action
   - Action Name = Send SMS Via Email
   - Action Type = Send Email
   - To Email Address = {:CUSTMOBILE}@sms.exemail.com.au
   - Subject = password
   - From Email Address = myemail@mydomain.com.au
   - Email Message = Your Order Is Ready.

The To Email Address needs to be formatted to suit your email to sms gateway requirements, but most are mobile_number@sms_email_domain
The Subject usually has the password for the email to sms gateway
The From Email Address is usually the authorised email address to send sms's

Set the rest of the Send Email setting to suit your mail server.


Create new Ticket Tag - Mobile Number
Tick Free Tagging and untick Save Free Tags
Add to the Department

Create new Ticket Tag - Send SMS
Untick Save Free Tags & add 'Yes' as a Sub Tag
Add to the Department

Add new Rule Mobile Number Set
Settings -> Rules -> Add Rule
   - Rule Name = Mobile Number Set
   - Event Name = Ticket Tag Selected
   - Conditions
      - Tag Name = Mobile Number
   - Actions = Set Mobile, Setting Vale = [TagValue]

Add new Rule Send SMS
Settings -> Rules -> Add Rule
   - Rule Name = Send SMS
   - Event Name = Ticket Tag Selected
   - Conditions
      - Tag Name = Send SMS
      - Tag Value ? Yes
   - Actions = Send SMS Via Email



Have fun.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2012, 06:37:50 am by JohnS »
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CafeCuppio

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2012, 06:35:43 am »
nice one John!
SambaPOS - POS'n the World, one Terminal at a time.
Even in Namibia, Africa!

emre

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2012, 07:19:26 am »
Awesome!. I can't believe we can send sms without additional coding :)
Maybe we can create an additional rule / action set for updating Mobile Number tag with customer phone number if we select a customer...

JohnS

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2012, 03:27:21 pm »
Awesome!. I can't believe we can send sms without additional coding :)
Maybe we can create an additional rule / action set for updating Mobile Number tag with customer phone number if we select a customer...

Started with the Customer Phone, but could not easily identify if the phone number was a mobile or landline number, so decided to use tags instead.

If we had a 'Starts With' condition we could have it check if a number starts with 04 then its a mobile number (in Australia).
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mozhi

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Re: Orders via SMS/TEXT
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2012, 11:06:09 pm »
John, U are awesome man!! This shows your in-depth understanding of SAMBAPOS.