(continued from Security)

Training Procedures

ASI has spent considerable time analyzing and testing different training procedures to determine the quickest way to implement the Write-On iPod Touch.  The procedure described below proved to be the most effective.

General Training Guidelines

• Schedule training during periods that the business is closed to avoid distractions.
• Maintain the chain of command: Train managers first!  The managers should be become fully familiar with all aspects of using the Write-On for iPod Touch, including the server specific functions.  Once the managers are trained, have them train the servers.

Training Materials

• Printout of menu item and modifier abbreviations.
• Copy of Restaurant’s Menu and Wine list annotated to show the letters used as abbreviations for each item.

Server Training

Step 1: System Overview

• Take 30 minutes to learn about the ASI Write-On Handheld:
• How to log on and off
  • Order Cycle
  • Open a table
  • Free style data entry (pending items)
  • Abbreviation System
  • Finding Items

Step 2: Know your abbreviations

Study the abbreviations of the items on the restaurant’s menu, including desserts and drinks.  Use an annotated copy of the restaurant’s menu, circling the letters that form the abbreviations. 

Step 3: Know how to find items

Entering 3 or 4 letters of the item you are looking for and then touching the “find” button is all you need to pop up the item in the selection window.

Step 4: Play “the game” (optional)

Play the Write-On game found under [Cmd] > Game (Timed). Create a set list of menu items the server must enter. This list should include both food and liquor. An additional challenge would be to have the employee use the “Find” function. Have the employee start the game. Hit [Send] to stop the game and display the time. When the server is finish and you record the time (optional), verify the accuracy of the order on the Write-Ondevice. You can manually record the time. To make this a fun process you may want to consider having a contest to see who can record the fastest time.

Step 5: Role Playing

Run the Write-On for iPod Touch program in training mode and practice entering all the items on the menu.  Then practice taking “real” orders by role playing with another server as customer. 

Step 6: Off-floor order entry

Take your orders as usual at table-side by using pad and pencil.  Then enter the order using the handheld in a private area away from the table.  Go on to step 6 when you feel comfortable entering the orders,

Step 7: The Real Thing!

Take the orders at the table!

VERY IMPORTANT:

1. Make sure you show servers how to use the “pending” item feature of the Write-On device. Allowing servers to enter items ad-hoc greatly relieves the pressure of using the handheld at tableside.
2. Teach them to use the Find function instead of using the Group function to find items.  It is a much quicker to enter 3 or 4 letters of the item you are looking for and use the [Find] button to display the list of matching items.  This is especially true for rarely ordered items.

(continued in Appendix 1 Abbreviation Rules)