Self-Ordering is one of the most effective ways to stop spreading nasty viruses such as Covid-19.

But self-ordering is not necessarily safe-ordering. When you touch a self-ordering kiosk to order something, it actually increases the risk of contracting viruses.

Even online ordering tools have their own challenges though they are much better than f-2-f ordering. Let’s look at some of the challenges.

Third-Party Food Delivery Tools

A customer finds a restaurant through his or her mobile app (or web app) and submits a request which goes to the restaurant. Once it’s ready, the third-party food delivery company sends someone to pick up the food. This person can easily become a super-spreader because it takes food from several restaurants to several homes.

Although the delivery companies and restaurants and customers take some serious measures to limit the contacts, it just takes 1 mistake to spread the virus.

Online Ordering Systems

A customer goes to the restaurant’s website and orders a meal. The order goes to the restaurant. Most restaurants don’t afford to obtain a dedicated kitchen console to take the orders or safely print them. In fact, quite often the orders to their mobile and they have to check their smartphones to fulfill the orders. Do they change their gloves every time they check their mobiles? Do they wash or sanitize their hands every time? Maybe yes, maybe no. Anyhow the risk is there.

On the other hand, the customer has no idea when the food is ready so they may have to check in person a few times. Not to mention, sometimes just to order a cup of coffee, it may take 5–10 minutes to place the order.

So now… What’s the safe-ordering?

An efficient self-ordering tool (powered by Relayfy Digital Services)can be safe ordering as well. Here are some points to consider:

1. It must be fast enough if not faster than in-person ordering. You can walk and order a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. A self-ordering tool must take even less time, like 15 seconds.
2. The order should go directly to the kitchen staff so they can fulfill it as efficiently as possible without having to change their gloves or wash/sanitize their hands for each order.
3. A label must be printed for each order so the bags can be picked up by the customers with minimal interactions and possible confusion.

Powered by Relayfy Digital Services (Local tech company only serving Restaurants and Cafes across Vancouver Lower Mainland)