Servers take orders, rush to input them at a terminal, and return to find customers impatiently waiting. Mistakes slip through, food takes longer, and table turnover slows. This is the reality for many full-service restaurants still relying on traditional ordering methods.

Nova’s handheld tableside ordering solutions change the game. Orders go straight from the table to the kitchen in real time, reducing errors and speeding up service. No lost tickets, no mixed-up modifiers, just seamless efficiency that keeps customers happy and tables turning faster. Servers stay on the floor, engaging with guests instead of running back and forth.

Restaurants that embrace table-side ordering see higher check averages, improved accuracy, and a more streamlined workflow. Customers get their meals faster, staff work smarter, and profits rise.

Outdated processes cost time and money. How long before efficiency becomes the industry standard? Read this blog to understand how Nova’s handheld solutions will make your restaurant more efficient than ever.

The Problem with Traditional Order-Taking

The order-taking procedures at a large number of restaurants are operated in a systematic manner. A server approaches a table, takes the orders on paper, and then proceeds to the point of sales (POS) terminal.

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This series of operations is not free of issues. First, the time spent walking to and from the terminal, combined with potential wait times at a busy station, adds unnecessary delays to order processing. In addition, orders taken by hand and entered later at the terminal add a level of error whether it is caused by handwriting, misunderstanding, or mistyping.

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This approach reduces the customer experience and revenue returns for a business. As the demands of modern diners evolve, restaurants need to stay on their toes to decrease inefficiencies in their systems.

Summarizing Key Problems

1. Order entry delays: Time lost walking to and from POS terminals.
2. Longer ticket times: Kitchen receives orders later, slowing food preparation.
3. Human error risk: Misreading handwriting or inputting incorrect orders.
4. Lower table turnover: Delays reduce the number of guests served.
5. Reduced revenue potential: Inefficiencies impact overall profitability.

What is Tableside Ordering?

Tableside ordering is when servers take orders right at the table using handheld POS (point-of-sale) devices in the restaurant. These small tablets or mobile devices send orders directly to the kitchen, making service faster and more accurate, too. They link wirelessly to the main system of the restaurant, which can make real-time updates. Many devices also ease payment processing and tracking inventory.

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Eliminating paper orders, table side ordering mitigates wrong food, speeds up service, and enhances the customer experience. This technology helps restaurants run better and more efficiently. That would be the most convenient thing for both the staff and the diners.

How Nova's Restaurant Handheld POS System Transforms Tableside Ordering?

With Nova's handheld POS system, restaurants can eliminate inefficiencies and offer a streamlined dining experience. Here’s how:

• Instant Order Transmission: Orders go directly from the server’s handheld device to the kitchen, cutting down order entry time.
• Accuracy Boost: No more deciphering messy handwriting or miscommunication, what the guest orders is exactly what the kitchen receives.
• Faster Table Turns: Quicker ordering means faster service, increasing the number of tables served per shift.
• Upselling Made Easy: Suggested add-ons and modifiers pop up, making it effortless for servers to upsell and increase check averages.

A. For Guests

Enhanced Experience with Personalized Service

A great dining experience is more than just good food, it’s about feeling valued. With Nova’s tableside ordering system, servers spend more time engaging with guests rather than running back and forth to a POS terminal.

• Servers can instantly check order history for returning guests, making personalized recommendations.
• Special requests? No problem. The system allows custom notes for the kitchen.
• Need to split the bill? Done in seconds, without the hassle of running to a stationary terminal.

This level of attentiveness leads to better service, higher tips, and an all-around more enjoyable experience for guests.

Empowering Guests: Control, Convenience, and Faster Payments

Today’s diners want more than just good food, they want a seamless experience. With Nova’s restaurant handheld POS system ordering, customers gain more control over their orders, ensuring accuracy and personalization. Whether it means customizing a dish or splitting a bill, guests enjoy a smoother, more convenient process.

Even better, faster payments mean no waiting for the check. With secure, on-the-spot transactions, customers can pay instantly and leave satisfied. This efficiency not only enhances their experience but also encourages repeat visits.  

B. For Restaurant

Speed and Efficiency: A Win for Servers and Customers

Speed matters. Customers expect prompt service, and delays can mean the difference between a glowing review and a negative one. With Nova’s handheld tableside ordering, servers don’t waste time running back and forth. Instead, they take orders, send them to the kitchen instantly, and continue attending to guests. The result? Happier customers, efficient staff, and a well-run restaurant operation.

Even better, since orders are processed in real-time, the kitchen gets a head start on preparation, reducing wait times and improving the overall dining experience.

Reducing Errors and Improving Order Accuracy

Incorrect orders can be a nightmare for both guests and the restaurant. A wrong dish means wasted ingredients, frustrated customers, and potential negative feedback. Tableside ordering inputs orders directly into the device, minimizing miscommunication and ensuring accuracy. Features like:

• Allergen and Dietary Warnings
• Auto-Suggested Modifications
• Real-Time Menu Availability Updates

help prevent mistakes and ensure that every guest gets exactly what they want.

Increasing Sales Through Seamless Upselling

A well-trained server knows how to upsell, but in the heat of a busy shift, opportunities can be missed. Nova’s restaurant handheld POS system nudges servers with smart prompts, ensuring that they never forget to recommend:

• Wine pairings
• Appetizers or desserts
• Premium toppings or extras

Because upselling happens naturally within the order flow, guests are more likely to say “yes,” increasing check averages without feeling pressured.

Seamless Integration with Restaurant Operations

One of the biggest concerns for restaurant managers when adopting new technology is integration. Nova doesn’t just work in isolation, it seamlessly connects with:

• Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) to ensure smooth order flow
• Inventory Management to track real-time stock levels
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools for loyalty programs and guest preferences

As an all-in-one restaurant platform, Nova helps managers maintain control over operations while boosting efficiency.

Increased Table Turnover

Tableside ordering speeds up order entry and reduces wait times, allowing restaurants to serve guests faster. With quicker food preparation and payment processing, tables become available sooner for new customers. This increased table turnover maximizes seating capacity, improves customer flow, and boosts overall restaurant revenue without sacrificing service quality.

Simplified Tip Management

Dealing with the employees who get tips in a full-service restaurant can be hard, especially when they have to be distributed among servers, bartenders, and back-of-house staff equally. The Nova restaurant management platform is a perfect solution for easy tip management, which is realized by the facilitation of a fully automated process that is smooth for the team members. 

This procedure excludes the possibility of a mistake, enhances transparency, and eventually, both managers and payroll staff get rid of their duties being overwhelmed with too much work.

The feature of tableside ordering allows the customers to tip easily while they settle their bills on the handheld device. This process not only facilitates transactions but also paves the way to correct distribution of the tips, decreasing payroll-processing time-consuming activities right away.

Overcoming Implementation Challenges of POS Handheld Devices

Introducing handheld POS devices in a restaurant can improve efficiency, but some challenges may arise. Here’s how to overcome them smoothly:

1. Staff Training: Making Adoption Easy

Training employees doesn’t have to be difficult. Start with short, hands-on sessions where staff can practice using the devices. Use simple guides or videos for quick learning. Assign a few experienced team members as go-to support to help others. With a little practice, staff will feel comfortable using the new system in no time.

2. System Integration: Ensuring Everything Works Together

Before implementing handheld POS devices, check if they are compatible with your existing restaurant management system. Most modern restaurant POS solutions, like Nova, are designed to integrate seamlessly with inventory, payment, and payroll systems. If needed, work with your POS provider for setup support to ensure everything runs smoothly.

3. Cost Considerations: Seeing the Value

Investing in handheld POS devices may seem costly at first, but the benefits quickly add up. Faster service, fewer errors, and increased table turnover can boost sales. Plus, integrated tipping and payment processing reduce administrative work. In the long run, the system pays for itself through improved efficiency and higher revenue.

Why Your Restaurant Needs Nova: The Ultimate Handheld POS Solution!

For full-service restaurant managers, the decision to invest in technology isn’t just about keeping up with trends, it’s about staying competitive. Tableside ordering isn’t a luxury; it’s becoming a necessity. The benefits are clear:

• Faster service, leading to higher table turnover
• Improved accuracy, reducing waste and customer complaints
• Increased sales through effortless upselling
• Better guest experience, leading to repeat business and positive reviews

With Nova’s handheld POS solutions, restaurants can deliver an exceptional dining experience while maximizing profitability. 

The future of full-service dining is here; the question is, are you ready to embrace it? Schedule your demo today to experience these benefits yourself!

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