The New Wait Staff At Your Favorite Eating Spot

The offerings in the handheld terminals arena are many and varied. This is in response to the customers needs and utilizes varying elements of current technology depending on the application request.

One of the current applications gathering interest is in the field of hospitality. One of the leading manufacturers promises an increase in sales through effective up-selling and maximizing of sales opportunities. In concert with this feature, wage costs can actually be reduced as staff with the best selling skills can be used in the front of the house while less experienced staff are used in less critical roles.

One of the main needs in the hospitality environment, is quick servicing. It is in this aspect that handheld terminals of advanced design can play an important role. Handheld terminals need a modicum of training since they use software that has already become familiar in the use of standard terminals. In addition to the primary use, handheld terminals can be used in hospitality applications to perform accurate stock counts.

Another feature being currently added are magnetic swipe readers. EFT transactions can be processed right at the customer's table. Another advantage is that advanced security features are built in to protect the customers private data and prevent in house or casual identity thefts.

Design features currently built in to handheld terminals for hospitality use include:

Touchscreen layouts including menu selling and modifiers

Rugged unit construction designed for both hospitality and retail

Stores orders from the table

Orders sent to hostess and kitchen screens and printers

Multi-level and promotional pricing

Wait staff is able to prompt customers with menu choices

Offer alternatives when stock has run out

Another completely different use of the handheld terminal are units employed in military applications in combat zones and rugged terrain. An example is a unit manufactured by DRS for use by forward medical personnel. This company offers a rugged Medic Handheld Terminal Unit. This terminal provides advanced computing power in a compact, lightweight unit, suitable for military applications such as field medical support. The Rugged Medic is an ideal lightweight computing tool, enabling instant access to mission critical data in the most extreme environments. The unit is easy to operate and carry and employs a Windows CE OS. The unit includes a color touch screen display, expansion capabilities as well as thumbprint validation for enhanced security.

DRS also makes mounted and dismountable terminal and computers to manage battle configurations in war zones. All these units are built to withstand temperature extremes and to perform in adverse environment. Our military is depending on this equipment which is bringing industrial and retail capability to the battlefield.