INDULGE EXPRESS: RESTAURANT ORDERING SYSTEM
Theda Laine A. Arcenal1, Mary Grace E. Diocson1, Alvin John M. Juliano1, Jera Mae S. Manalo1,
Shem Durst Elijah B. Sandig1, Prof. Ma. Beth S. Concepcion1
1
InstituteofICT,WestVisayasStateUniversity
Luna St., Lapaz, Iloilo City, Philippines
Abstract Indulge Express is a wireless web-based
restaurant ordering system which employs the
capability of mobile devices such as PDAs to browse
mobile website and facilitate order processing. The
restaurant ordering system is accessible to the waiters
with given authorized passwords. The waiters take
orders from customers and the orders are then
automatically sent to the kitchen staff and the
administrator. The kitchen staff updates the status of
the order. Once the order is completed, the cashier
may print out the receipt through the printer
connected in the network. The restaurant ordering
system is also designed to be implemented on the
internet for 24/7 service and cater delivery.
Keywords- wireless PDA, mobile technology, personal
digital assistant, handheld devices, restaurant industry
I. Introduction
The art of food serving is unique. Food has
always been human beings favorite habit. Therefore, the
importance of food serving is of great significance. Over
the years, food and the relative job of serving has grown
so much that industries began popping up and various
restaurants started their business outlets.The advent of the
Internet and Web Access has provided an arena for a more
vigorous competition between business organizations
including the food industry. With increasing demands
from society, a lot of SMEs (Small and Medium
Enterprises) provide Free WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) Access
in order to satisfy customers. Strategically, having a well-
defined product or service is no longer enough to keep
customers. This free service defines a fine line in
between businesses getting chosen by customers among
other competitions. In addition to this, the number of
available handheld devices such as PDAs is expected to
increase and may change consumer control and power of
choice. Tapping into the ability of these mobile devices to
connect to WiFi and access web pages presents a potential
that maybe utilized to improve the processes in restaurant
ordering.
The proposition is for SMEs to develop a web
application to facilitate ordering to efficiently utilize Wifi
Connectivity and as well as address other internal issues.
This system may be deployed using the Wireless Points
already available in the establishment.
With this restaurant ordering system, order
processing is more systematic, and more accurate than the
traditional order taking which is done manually. Errors
brought about by miscommunication may be reduced and
avoided. Relay of orders to the kitchen may be processed
in lesser amount of time, reducing wait-times. Reports
regarding revenue and frequently ordered food items may
be generated from the system to guide managers and
owners in decision-making. Also, it may serve as basis for
identifying specials or in identifying which food items
need more marketing. Furthermore, this system may
expand restaurants operations and receive requests for
take outs and delivery, if deployed in the internet,
therefore increasing revenue.
This system is developed at low-cost using open
source technology: Apache, MySQL, and PHP. Xampp is
able to provide resources and features that are sufficient to
answer the needs in the development and implementation
of the system in the intranet. Should SMEs opt to deploy
the delivery service, they have the option to subscribe to
hosting sites. While most hosting sites are paid-for, SMEs
may also deploy to free hosting sites to avoid additional
costs. The study also features website development that
strongly focuses on its adaptability to smaller screens of
handheld devices. The researchers believe that this has a
significant implication on the increasing prevalence of
handheld devices with improvements anchored on better
mobility and power.
II. Review of Related Literature
SavorPOS Mobile Ordering.
SavorPOS Wireless Order System is based on
SavorPOS F&B Management System. The system adopts
the most stable 802.11b wireless mobile technique and
wireless terminal units which use windows mobile 5.0
and/or upward system. It is fully suitable to star hotels
and hospitality industry. Its advantages are as follows:
reduces capital, well equipped, saves space, convenient,
prepares resource, protects data, supports kitchen print,
synchronizes data, simple, defines process, dynamic
search, and has acclimatization. It is the right hand to
improve profit.
Configuration of hardware system: The whole
system consists of server, workstation, POS terminal, AP
(ACCESS POINT) which put in restaurant, and PDA. It
adopts advanced multi-tier distributed solution. The
purposes are: to abate the maintenance charge of POS
terminal; to reduce the working load of server, and to
improve the safety and reality for whole system. It is the
safe and excellent software and database system. The
software is based on the SavorPOS F&B Management
System, and is completely stored in server. The database
uses Microsoft SQL data system which is the safest and
the most stable.
Handheld PDA is comparatively cheap, and its
brand can be widely chosen. Because it adopts wireless
communication, hotels can save the expense on cabling.
The cost of AP is lesser than the cable, so the need is only
to add AP node if it is necessary, and the location of AP is
flexible.
With the bridge function from point to point or to
points, it completely extends the wireless radius which
helps hotel save the investment on hardware. A waiter can
hold a PDA for order. It embodies the hotels modern
standard and increases the hardware value. PDA is small
and flexible, and it is convenient to carry. There is no
pressure while moving around in the establishments area.
The waiter can serve a guest all the way. When the guest
is adding an order, the list will be automatically sent to the
kitchen and to the cashiers desk.
Flying Wireless PDA Ordering System
Wireless Order System is a function of practical
flight, simple to operate, inexpensive wireless a la carte
system. The PDA handheld terminal equipment in
operation, with a powerful background restaurant cashier
management system can be used in all types of restaurants
and entertainment enterprises, using wireless a la carte
models to replace the traditional hand-written single
point. Outlook for the single computer model and
optimize the process of catering services, and enhance
information-sharing and operational control services,
restaurant and entertainment enterprises in computer
information management and enhance operational
efficiency, service quality and corporate image of the
ideal choice. Flying wireless system a la carte restaurant,
and entertainment management system can be widely
applicable to various types of restaurants and
entertainment enterprises, such as restaurants, dance halls,
nightclubs, saunas, bars, coffee shops, fast food shops,
integrated entertainment and so on.
PDA-based Ordering with Rune: Rational Restaurant
Automation
There are many restaurant computer systems
on the market, but what sets Rune apart is the way it
was developed: The programmers actually moved
their equipment at the back office of a working
restaurant. Rune's flexibility and ease of use are a
direct result of that effort. With the input of
management and staff, the programmers have
developed the most intuitive system available.
Designed around a fully operational restaurant, it will
handle the issues that face the business daily.
Restaurant Ordering System.
The Restaurant Ordering system is a mobile
business to consumer (M2C) which was designed to be
used by servers in resorts and restaurants. The servers
take orders from customers using wireless technology like
the PDA.
Orders are placed through a wireless WEB-
enabled device (PDA), which communicates to the web
server through local wireless intranet. The order is then
sent to the kitchen and it is printed out, assembled, and
delivered.
The system has two main categories, the
Restaurant Manager or Administrator and Server (Waiter).
The Restaurant Manager/Administrator uses very simple
power easy to use web interface as where the Server uses
wireless interface for taking orders from the customers.
ROS wireless handheld computer application
expands the reach of the POS system by allowing real-
time order entry from the guest table, outside bars, or any
location that does not have the power and space for a
tabletop computer.
Features
Table selection: Once logged in total tables are
displayed in where a server can select his table(s)
Menu selection: Three level menus are
automatically displayed after selecting a table.
Order entry: Server can take a customers order
by simply selecting different items using PDA or touch
screen monitors.
Mobile printing: Order can be printed on a
mobile printer if needed.
Multiple payment modes: Cash, cheque and
credit card payment options can be processed from the
handheld PDA.
Consolidated billing (check): Single bill is
generated at the end for all the orders of a customer.
Real time credit card processing: Credit card
processing can be used in conjunction with a mobile
credit card scanning device or the user can manually enter
the credit card information.
 may create, retrieve, update, and delete information
regarding the food items available in the restaurant. The
same CRUD functions are used for the PHP datagrids for
managing the tables in the restaurant, the customers
III. Proposed Restaurant Ordering System information and the transactions made for dine-in, take-
out, and delivery.
The researchers proposed to develop a
Restaurant Ordering System that will be operated with a
PDA. This ordering system is a web based application
accessible through a PDA Browser. The system enables
the users to process orders through mobile devices or
PDA in a fast and efficient way.
The outcome of this study will improve
establishments ordering system. The waiter will have
appropriate access to the system through PDA. Unique
authorization code will be given by the proprietor. In
getting orders from the customer, the waiter will ask about
the customers information; name, address and contact
number, then the customers order; appetizer, main
course, beverages and dessert. This information will be
sent to the server. The cashier will be notified and will be
Figure 1. Proposed System Architecture
able to view the orders and summarize the customers bill;
simultaneously the kitchen will also be informed about
The figure shows the components and the major structure
the orders. If the kitchen staff is done with the order, a
of the restaurant ordering system.
button will be pressed to notify the cashier that the order
is delivered. If there would be additional order, the waiter
The softwares development has undergone six
can easily browse the customers current transaction and
different stages namely, planning and information
make an additional order. The customer may then pay for
gathering, learning and familiarizing the technology to be
his order. The cashier can easily print the bill and hand it
used, analysis, system design and development, coding,
to the waiter.
and testing and debugging.
The system is also able to generate the monthly
The first stage involved planning and
revenue for the benefit of the establishment. Transactions
information gathering about the proposed software. The
from first to the last day of the month will be summarized.
researchers prepared and collected related data that helped
The establishment may also be able to check who among
them in familiarizing the details of the software.
the customers go to them frequently by checking the
The second stage included familiarization with
transactions may for a specific month. Better ordering
the Web Mobile technology, learning its features, tools
system will be more convenient to the customers.
and structures.
Additionally, the system has features that would
Discussion and analysis of the system,
help administrator control what are shown on different
components and software was the third stage. The
web pages.
researchers exchanged ideas with regards to the systems
The website uses admin panel that controls the
flow, architecture, coding, layout and databases. The
navigation links on the left-hand side of the website. The
researchers also discussed errors and problems that may
administrator may add new web pages to the website.
arise while conducting the study.
This would require skills and understanding of HTML,
The fourth stage was the prototyping of the
CSS, PHP and MySQL. These web pages are grouped
systems design, how it can be seen or visualized once
according to the level of access. The first is the static web
deployed on the PDA and the developing of the systems
pages that are accessible to customers without the need to
database architecture on data store as a back end
log-in. The other group is for mobile web pages that are
component.
viewable to the waiters.
In the fifth stage which is the coding stage, the
With user-friendly UI, navigating around the
proponents incorporated the necessary functional codes
website is a breeze. The management of the different
for the system and its components.
sections uses the PHP datagrid which supports CRUD
Testing and debugging were done on the last
functions.
stage wherein the developed system was tried out and
For the food items on menu of the restaurant, the
codes were debugged to identify and fix possible errors.
system has default categories, namely appetizers, main
course, desserts, beverages and meals. The administrator
 IV. Simulation Results

The Indulge Express is a restaurant ordering

system that enables order entry and processing,
administration, and report generation. With design
adaptable to smaller screens such as PDAs, this
maximizes the potential of mobile and handheld devices
in support of adding revenue to the business.

Figure 10. Indulge Express Mobile Web Home Page

This form displays the home page of the Indulge Express

Website as viewed through Mobile Web Browser. The
page is expected to fit on smaller screen without
distorting the texts/images. This snapshot is for the
purpose of comparison with the web layout.

Figure 9. Indulge Express Home Page

This form displays the home page of the Indulge Express

Website as viewed through Desktop Web Browser. The
major sections of this home page are the navigation links
on the left-hand side, the dashboard, and the log-in links
for the administrator and the waiters.

From this home page, customers may view the

restaurants menu: appetizer main course, desserts,
beverages, and other meals. The customer may process an
order in a process similar to a familiar shopping-cart
transaction. The customer will be required to provide
identification and contact information or the administrator
to verify the delivery. This feature is expected to be used
online to support 24/7 operations. Transactions for this
feature are based on sessions on the browser.
Figure 11. Admin Log-in Page
This form shows the Log-In Page as viewed through
Desktop Web Browser. Only authorized users with valid
passwords are allowed in the system. This ensures
security and protects rights reserved only for
administrators.

Figure 13. Admin Log-in Page Mobile View
This form shows the Admin Log-In page when viewed
through a Mobile Web Browser.
Figure 16. Indulge Express Admin Home Page
This form shows the administrators home page once he is
successfully logged-in to the system. The navigation links
on the left-hand side are grouped and has labels namely
Home, Menu, Transactions, Tables, Customers, Pages and
Account Manager. Also, the home page has a dashboard a
welcome message notifying the administrator of the
successful log-in.
From the pages group, the navigation links for web pages
are grouped according to the level of access. The first is
the static web pages that are accessible to customers
without the need to log-in. The other group is for mobile
web pages that are viewable to the waiters. Adding new
pages to the site requires shills and understanding of
HTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL.
From the transaction group, the administrator may create
a new transaction and take order from a customer. The
order link is from customers who requested for either
dine-in or for take-out. The delivery link is for request
from customers online. The administrator may assign this
request to anyone among the mobile users or delivery.
The transactions link shows the summary of all
transactions and the revenue gained from them.
From the tables group, the administrator may manage the
tables in the restaurant. Their information including label,
number and availability may be viewed and updated from
this page.
Customer information may be viewed from the customer
page. Administrator information may be viewed and
updated from the admin link under the account manager
group. Also, management of mobile users may be
accessed through the user link.
Figure 19. Navigation Manager Page
The form shows the Navigation Manager page. Using
PHP datagrid, this controls the navigation links that are
listed on the admin panel. Administrator can perform
CRUD functions in managing the links. Additional
settings for hiding/showing, removable/not removable, or
shown on dashboard are also controlled from this page.
 Figure 22. Menu Page
This form shows the menu page that lists the food items
in the restaurant. This is managed using PHP datagrid and
also performs CRUD functions. Food items may be sorted
and filtered according to its name, category, or price. The
quantity and availability is also monitored. Whenever an
items quantity reaches 10 or below it will be shown in
red font. The administrator may also change its
availability upon request. A graph showing which item is
frequently bought or the item that has the most revenue is
also generated from this page.
Figure 14. Mobile User Log-in Page
This form shows the Mobile Log-In page when viewed
through a Mobile Web Browser. This log-in page is for
the mobile users who may be assigned to wait tables or to
deliver requests received from online customers.
Figure 17. Mobile Web Home Page
This form shows the mobile web home page as seen
through the desktop web browser. This snapshot is for the
purpose of comparison with the result of a view from the
mobile.
Figure 18. Mobile Web Home Page
This form shows the mobile home page as viewed from a
mobile web browser. From this page, the mobile user may
view available food items from the menu. This will
improve the way waiters give suggestions to customers on
what to order.
A mobile user may start a new transaction for a new
customer from the new order link. The waiter inputs the
table number, then the food items as requested by the
customer. The delivery link is for notifications or
deliveries that may be assigned to anyone among the
mobile users. The summary of the transactions are shown
on the page accessed through the transactions link.
The customers link provides customer information as well
as contact information for deliveries.

V. Conclusions and Recommendations
The proposed system is expected to increase profit
and productivity in restaurants. The automation of the
ordering process will increase table turnover and reduce
errors as well as the costs related to them. The ownership
of waiters on the transaction they make with the
customers increases efficiency. The additional options for
take-out and delivery increases potential for profit without
worrying about limits on space and table availability. The
online presence and ordering will support 24/7 operations.
These factors positively impact customer satisfaction
which correspondingly affects profit.
Moreover, the development of the system is
economical. The open source technologies used were able
to meet expected functions and performed at par with
proprietary systems in the market. The system is easy to
learn and scalable changing needs in the industry.
Although the primary device targeted for implementing
the device is a PDA, the adaptability of the system to any
device that has a mobile web browser provides restaurant
owners power to choose from a wide array of mobile
devices with the same capability yet lower in costs.
Future researchers may add features and aesthetics to
the system. A rating scale for food items may improve the
way establishments identify food items market value. For
the purpose of retaining customers, researcher may add a
module for Customer Relationship Management which
has integrated capabilities to gather feedback from
customers regarding their experience in the restaurant and
to identify valued customers based on the frequency of
their transactions and the summary of revenues gained
from those transactions. Furthermore, the ability to
facilitate credit card transactions is a feature not present in
this study, yet it may give a big boost in the overall
efficiency of payment processing in the system.
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