Interview Report

Interview notes approved by: Akila Harshani Gamage (Project Manager) Person Interviewed : Mr. M.D. Silva - Sales Manager, Light Bite Interviewer : Hashani Wijethunga - Vision In Motion Co. Ltd Date : 01/10/2011

Primary Purpose : To get information from the Manager and staff of the Restaurant on how the business usually runs and to gather facts to implement an automated system for improved quality, more efficient service, as well as more profits.

Summary of Interview:

Reasons for Implementing the Proposed System This particular restaurant Light Bite has planned to have an automated system where the food ordering process can be done faster, easier and with lesser staff. The Management have decided to implement such a system to prevent unwanted rush at the counters and to give a better and faster service to the customer, as well as to avoid the difficulties they face within the current manual system, such as congestion at the ordering and payment counters, high labour costs for additional staff, customer complaints on delayed service, etc. Considering these facts, implementing an automated system may be an effective solution to their problems, and it will be convenient for both Management and staff of Light Bite.

Benefits of Automating the Ordering System With an automated ordering system, connected to the existing retail Point Of Sale (POS) system of the restaurant, the company will streamline operations, increase checkout times, make more money, increase efficiency, keep better records of transactions and have the most robust capabilities right at their fingertips. A good system will increase efficiency by eliminating unnecessary work, and the forced accuracy of the system ensures that all items will appear on the check and there will be no more errors, gaining the restaurant a degree of quality. Additionally, an automated ordering system can provide significant control over labour costs; the streamlined order process adds to server efficiency, thus increasing their time on the floor and the number of table turns in a shift. The new system accepting the order directly from the customer, eliminates excess manpower involved in re-entering the order and insures no mistakes are done in the process. Plus, such a system will be a trend-setting factor of Light Bite, and that may help in attracting more customers.

Key Requirements This system requires portable kiosks with touch screens for the customers to carry in their ordering process themselves. Each kiosk will also need its own thermal printer (as thermal printers are fast and no need of ribbons), to print out the receipt for the customer. Scalability is another key requirement. If the Management decides to add more kiosks and extend the system in order to serve more customers, the implemented system must be able to comply and connect with the additional hardware. Also, a suitable database must be chosen; it will be better if it offers compatibility with third-party applications, which provides unlimited reporting and analysis options.

Durability Durability of the systems hardware (kiosks) is one of the most important considerations. Rugged hardware devices that are built to withstand the harshest retail conditions, such as dirt, dust, spills, grease, heavy volume and continuous operation, must be chosen, as the particular environment in which this system is going to be used, tends to have some problems with the usage.

Installation and Maintenance Installation cost will include prices for kiosks, printers, software license, and extended warranties for both software and hardware. Maintenance and updating of database will be done by Vision In Motion Co. Ltd when duly notified, while Light Bites Management have already introduced IT literacy to its staff members. Although, if demanded, a training session for effective usage of the new system can be launched for all staff members so they can confidently present how to use the automated system to customers who show signs of unawareness.

Data Security and Backups Only Vision-In-Motion Co. Ltd will have the full authority for server access, to ensure the data security. Furthermore, a back-office computer must keep a running log of the restaurant server backups, and the Management must appoint a professional to handle the backups and to be responsible for them.

Open Items: contains all details about the restaurants product details (food item name, item number, available portions, prices) should be user-friendly, and easy-to-understand. If approved by the Management, this should also include seating arrangement/ table availability.

Database Interface -

Detailed Notes: Microsoft SQL multi-lingual with large color-coded buttons, include pictures of items

Database Interface -