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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on February 17, 2009 at 6:53pm

It's a great idea, I don't know of anyone doing it right now but I do have a client that is trying to implement a system. I think it's a great idea, it would be really cool if they could submit their order via text message. What else are you doing to ensure a great speed of service?

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Clark on February 18, 2009 at 9:02am

The problem with the solutions for this are that they cost usualy several hundreds of dollars a month.

For that amount there are solutions that can integrate with most common POS systems and can accept payment on the site. Unfortunately none of these I have seen extend to mobile devices yet.

If you don't need the person to be able to pay online and don't need integration with POS, then a CMS solution could work fine. If you want to give me a call I can describe to you what our capability in that area is and see if it is a fit and if it isn't might be able to give you some ideas of where else to look.

Anthony Clark
Thinix
888-484-4649

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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on February 18, 2009 at 11:25am

I've been thinking about this all morning, an I'm having a hard time understanding how this is going to speed up service and help drive business. My though is that it will be difficult for the baristas to decide which orders have priority, also it may effect freshness. You really want to finish a latte and hand it to your customer not set it down and serve it five minutes later. Maybe a self service Kiosk? I would really need to look at your layout and equipment before making any firm recommendations.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on February 18, 2009 at 1:50pm

I agree with this...just as Pizza places hate the idea of delivery, because you start to lose the connection with your customers. If anyone seems unhappy at the time it takes to be serviced, let them know it's to provide the best quality drink. This is your chance to build loyalty and interact with your customers. Not to mention that while waiting they will can browse at other items (sandwiches etc...) and maybe next time they will remember and purchase more than just a drink.

Jason Shipley said:

I've been thinking about this all morning, an I'm having a hard time understanding how this is going to speed up service and help drive business. My though is that it will be difficult for the baristas to decide which orders have priority, also it may effect freshness. You really want to finish a latte and hand it to your customer not set it down and serve it five minutes later. Maybe a self service Kiosk? I would really need to look at your layout and equipment before making any firm recommendations.

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Permalink Reply by M on February 18, 2009 at 2:13pm

a really good friend of mine makes websites that are relatively affordable (so much in fact, that he designed my personal website). Once the site is set up it's really easy to use. i think his website also has a portfolio of sites he's done (including some that have online store/order features). the website is http://www.imakeinternet.com

i think that your idea is pretty rad though :)

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Curriden on February 18, 2009 at 5:50pm

I am concerned with the quality, you raise topic that needs to be considered in this process. My main goal is to create tools for hospital staff/employees easy ways to access the barista kiosks. Prior to acquiring the kiosks, the sales have become stagnant. From speaking with hospital employees who are customers, the two biggest "complaints" where: Not accepting credit cards and timely access. If an employee has a 10 minute break, simply walking to the kiosk, potentially standing in a short line, ordering a beverage, and completing the financial transaction, this process can take their entire break. Let alone time for the common smoke break for the coffee drinker. Any help or creative ideas would be appreciated! Thanks for the input.

My main thought on the website was to help expedite this process for hospital staff. Not really focused on any other customer.

Mark said:

I agree with this...just as Pizza places hate the idea of delivery, because you start to lose the connection with your customers. If anyone seems unhappy at the time it takes to be serviced, let them know it's to provide the best quality drink. This is your chance to build loyalty and interact with your customers. Not to mention that while waiting they will can browse at other items (sandwiches etc...) and maybe next time they will remember and purchase more than just a drink.

Jason Shipley said:

I've been thinking about this all morning, an I'm having a hard time understanding how this is going to speed up service and help drive business. My though is that it will be difficult for the baristas to decide which orders have priority, also it may effect freshness. You really want to finish a latte and hand it to your customer not set it down and serve it five minutes later. Maybe a self service Kiosk? I would really need to look at your layout and equipment before making any firm recommendations.

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Permalink Reply by Brady on February 18, 2009 at 7:02pm

The solution would be much more simple if you were just looking to take orders by message. Email, text, twitter, etc. You might get around some of the drink sitting and waiting concerns since you are dealing with scheduled breaks.

Consider running tabs or selling gift cards for your regulars to bypass the payment process entirely. The right gift card system includes name or number lookup without having to swipe the card, so you can ring them up when they place the order (before they get there). Heck, a spiral notebook accomplishes this :). Shoot them emails when they are out of money.

More thoughts later.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Spence on February 20, 2009 at 8:07pm

Hi Douglas, Our POS currently allows customers to tackle this issue by allowing the customer to create a customer profile and use a phone number or id badge to pull up their last order, assign a prepaid card etc. Currently we are working on an online ordering interface (see my page here for pictures). Here at the Chicago Coffee Fest we are showing a beta of the online ordering system that allows people to take orders on a website or even a web enabled phone or ipod. The online ordering interface through us will be about $1.60 a day. The phone ordering is just a capability that we offer for no extra charge.

There are a number of ways to make sure that you are able to handle customers that are on a time schedule (as doctors and nurses are).

Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions!

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Permalink Reply by Devon on February 26, 2009 at 10:50am

Mike,
I'm interested in your reply to the concern that drinks ordered online, etc. will sit and will not be as fresh as they should be if in-person. What are your thoughts and have you seen this issue come up with any of your customers?
Devon

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