Point of sale (POS)

Suministros y alimentos

GT
DevelopmentUX/UI DesignManagement
Point of sale (POS)

Project summary

This is an internal project for the client's cafeteria, managing the sale of meals to staff. Employees can use internal company-funded cards, or pay with cash, debit, or credit cards. The system's interface is designed for use on touch-screen computers in the restaurants, simplifying order taking and transactions.

Technologies

About the client

Production, import, distribution, and commercialization of food services and hospitality for third-party businesses in the same sector.

The challenge

Developing this internal cafeteria system presented several key challenges. The core of the project demanded a modular design for scalability and adaptability to the cafeteria's evolving needs. A significant hurdle was the seamless integration of the new system with existing cafeteria processes to minimize disruption. Financial security was paramount, requiring robust solutions to protect employee financial information across diverse payment options. Ensuring compatibility with various payment devices – internal cards, cash, debit, and credit cards – posed a technical challenge needing precise integration. Finally, creating an intuitive user experience on touch-screen computers was crucial, focusing on ease of use to minimize the learning curve for staff.

Project presentation
Project presentation

Goals

  • To efficiently implement the Internal System: Develop and implement an efficient internal system in the cafeteria that allows for agile and precise management of meal sales for staff, avoiding delays outside the cafeteria.
  • To facilitate Payment Options: Provide flexible payment options for employees, either through internal cards with company-assigned funds or by allowing the use of cash and debit/credit cards, offering convenience and flexibility.
  • To optimize the Interface: Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface specifically adapted for cafeteria computers, with touch screens that facilitate order taking and transactions.
  • To achieve Operational Efficiency: Improve the operational efficiency of meal sales management, measured by the reduction of the average time dedicated to each transaction.
  • To encourage System Adoption by Employees: Reach an adoption rate among employees for the use of internal cards as the preferred payment method.
  • To reduce Transaction Errors: Reduce errors in financial transactions, improving accuracy and exactness in billing and payment records.

Solution

For the solution’s development, an existing system called GREX (version 1.0) was leveraged, serving as the back-office. Within GREX, several modules managed various processes, including inventory control—essential for accounting for available and dispatched food orders—and an integrated system for card payments and user balance management. However, the primary point-of-sale (POS) application, developed with JavaFX, was the most used tool day-to-day by staff on the cafeteria’s touch-screen computers. This JavaFX application was the main user-facing tool, streamlining order taking and transactions.

The software’s development has yielded remarkable results for the cafeteria, significantly boosting its operational efficiency. A modular approach was adopted, allowing the system to adapt seamlessly to the establishment’s needs. The new system was effectively integrated with pre-existing processes, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption.

Regarding payment options, robust measures were implemented to safeguard employee financial information. Furthermore, successful compatibility was achieved with various payment devices, supporting internal cards, cash, and debit/credit cards through integration with contactless payment systems and platforms.

The optimization of the system’s interface has been a standout aspect, directly addressing the needs and expectations of end-users. The intuitive and efficient interface design has not only reduced the learning curve but also significantly improved the user experience, making order taking and transactions in the cafeteria much easier.

Suminisitros y alimentos