The ASI Write-On for iPod Touch offers two different input methods: Keyboard and Group List Modes. The Keyboard Mode takes advantage of the on screen keyboard and is very similar to texting on a cell phone. Menu abbreviations are directly entered on the keyboard while matching menu items are displayed in the Order Selection window as letters are being added. The advantage to the keyboard mode is that you do not have to know the exact location of the menu where the menu item resides. However, there are instances when the “traditional” drill down approach is more appropriate. In these circumstances the Group List Mode may better suite your needs. Rather than entering abbreviations, the user will select the menu group where the desired menu item is located and then select the menu item on the Order Selection Window. Below are the criteria you should apply when deciding what input mode to use.
In this mode items are ordered by entering their abbreviations precluding the need to first find the group the item belongs to. Menu item abbreviations are typically the first letter in each word.Example: We want to order a Filet Mignon. Tapping “F” on the iPod keyboard will produce a list of all items beginning with the letter F. Adding the letter “M” will reduce the item list selection and show only items with abbreviations starting with “F” and “M” (see illustration below). The user will then tap Filet Mignon on the Selection window. Entering a few letters on the keyboard is a far more efficient way to handle large menus. In addition, employees can maintain better eye contact with the customer at order time by not having to scroll through multiple screens to find a menu item. This guarantees the server-guest rapport is not disrupted. Always use the keyboard mode if:
In this mode, the base item and modifier groups take the place of the keyboard area, and the selection window shows the items/modifiers corresponding to the selected group.
Once a group is selected, the items remain in the selection window until a new group is chosen, allowing you to enter multiple items from the group. Use this mode if:
