Modules and Gadgets

As promised, this month we are going to document two new items in the DataWedge lineup:

1. The new DataWedge communications server for Assisted Dispatch and
2. The .PDF Menu generator on the web engine.
   

Assisted Dispatch

For years folks have been bemoaning Nextel's lack of service and hefty price tag... but when combined with the fact that Nextel is the only TRUE “Direct Connect” technology out there, as well as the only cellular carrier that adopted the SNPP paging standard for Assisted Dispatch, it has been exceedingly difficult to cut them out.

In November 2008, Nextel started having some serious problems with their paging system as a result of some of their “system overhauls”. While their paging system still remains intact, the writing on the wall is clear; Nextel will be abandoning SNPP-style text messaging in the short-term future.

(Without going into too much technical detail, SNPP has the ability to send a text message with “multiple choice answers”... something the other cellular carriers do not have).

With this technology removed from the table, DataWedge is forced to try to fit a “square peg into a round hole” using SMTP as the technology. While this has presented some technical and operational challenges, it has also leveled the playing field in terms of multi-vendor compatibility.

Bottom line: DataWedge now has the ability to communicate to any cell phone that can receive text-message via email. Call our tech support department for information.

First a quick overview of the Assisted Dispatch Module

Assisted Dispatch has the ability for the driver to self-dispatch for the last half of the ordering process, greatly reducing the level of dispatcher-to-driver communications necessary to run an order through its paces.

When using Assisted Dispatch, DMS sends summary order information to the driver on his cell phone via a text message, allowing the driver to respond at key points:

1. order acceptance
2. restaurant arrival
3. restaurant departure
4. order completion

At each moment the driver responds to the text message, the status of the order is updated, and the order status automatically changed on the dispatcher's screen.

With DataWedge's new communication server, the features are essentially the same; it's simply the driver response that is a little different.

For example, DMS still sends the order to the driver, and the order still arrives via text message... but without SNPP, we are without the luxury of forced multiple-choice responses.

We have, however, narrowed down the responses to a single digit (1-9) for a valid response... greatly simplifying the process. For existing Nextel users, the transition should be a snap. For people adopting Assisted Dispatch for the first time, it may take a little getting used to.

When a driver receives a text message, he can respond with any of the following numbers for a response:

1. Accept Order
2. Arrived at Restaurant
3. Departed Restaurant
4. Order Complete
5. Reject Order
6. (Unused)
7. (Unused)
8. Text Cheat Sheet
9. Text Checkout Totals

TX or TX.XX Tip amount

For example, let's say an order is assigned to a driver in DMS, and Assisted Dispatch has been activated.

The summary order contents will arrive on the driver's cell phone. When the Driver has read the text message, he will respond with a “1” (entering the #1 in the reply box) to indicate to the dispatcher the order has been received and accepted. DMS will then fill in a time-stamp for the “Assisted Dispatch” column in the dispatch screen.

When the driver arrives at the restaurant, he will then respond to the same text message with a number “2”. DMS will then automatically change the color of the order to indicate the status change.

This pattern repeats itself up to order completion, with DMS automatically altering the status of the order with the driver's responses.

Cool Features

Here is where we get to the nifty additions that we couldn't do before with SNPP.

For you current Nextel users, you might notice some additional items in that list above... particularly numbers 8, 9, and the letter “T”.

When replying to an OPEN order (one that has not yet been completed), a driver can additionally request and send some additional information.

First, responding with an “8” will have DMS page the driver with the “Cheat Sheet” with all of the valid responses... that should help alleviate some of the communications with dispatch trying to remind the drivers what the particular numbers are...

But the coolest features with this communications server comes in the form of tipping and driver checkout... if utilized properly, should be able to shave HOURS of labor from the nightly checkout process.

Of the many RDS's that we have toured, they all share at least one common hassle in the checkout process: data entry in the evening in the form of TIPS, and the nightly cash-out process.

Let's look at the “T” response.

If instead of choosing “4” to complete an order, a driver can enter a message such as “T3” or “T3.45”.

This response ONLY is valid just prior to order completion, and it forces DMS to immediately enter in an additional tip amount of “$3.00” (for the T3 response) or “$3.45” (for the “T3.45” response) into the order, and then mark it as being completed.

This allows a driver to update his tip information ON THE FLY, without any intervention from the dispatcher. (The tip entered is in ADDITION to any tip currently on the order. For example, if an order already has a $10.00 tip, and the customer chooses to tip an additional $2.00 at the door, the driver would respond to the text message and enter in “T2” (or “T2.00”). DMS will then add $2.00 to the tip amount, making the total tip $12.00).

In addition, on any OPEN ORDER, a driver can respond with a “9”, and request a SUMMARY PAGE of his driver checkout information to be sent to him. When DMS receives this reply, it peeks into the driver checkout information for that particular shift, calculates the totals up to that point, and pages the driver with the information. When used properly, this means that a driver can have all of his payments ready to go for the nightly checkout process, potentially removing the “standing in line” time that is traditionally accompanied with the checkout process.

If you are interested in using our newly updated “assisted dispatch module” give our support department a call at 208-874-4185 option #1.

PDF Menu File Generator

If you ask a Restaurant Delivery Service what their greatest overall expense is, the response will be nearly unanimous; "the money spent every year to print and distribute Menu Guides" is at the top of their list.

We are always looking for ways to help our customers cut costs and reduce risks in their business especially in this tough economic climate. DataWedge has developed a cost saving module… that "IF USED" will help every DataWedge customer increase their bottom line. If you are dealing with tighter credit, reduced business activity, slower consumer spending or if you are just looking to shave some overhead, this module is for you.

What is the PDF Menu File Generator?

The PDF Menu Generator is a module created by DataWedge to extract data from restaurant menus placed on the DataWedge Web Server, and generate PDF Files to mimic the look/feel of your existing print menu guides. These files can then be downloaded directly into a local web browser (or saved locally on a computer), or be emailed directly from the web site to any address specified.

How It Works

Actually it’s quite simple to set up. If you are a DataWedge customer using our new web ordering engine, log into DMS Online Ordering Management Page, (admin.dtsc.net) shown below in the large red box.

IMAGE #1 

Then go to the Template Settings section on the left and then select the Template Pages. Next select the Email Menu Guide page by placing a checkmark in the box for that page to appear on your web site. That’s all there is to it!

Notice: The “request menu guide” page is the older page used to submit user information to an RDS via email to manually request a printed menu guide. This has nothing to do with the “Email Menu Guide” page. Make sure you are selecting the correct page.

For DataWedge customer using DMS web templates, when you open your web site you will find the link to the Email Menu Guide page has been placed throughout.

When the customer visits the new page, they must then select their zip code from a drop-down box.(See image #3 above).

Notice: If the RDS is using zones in conjunction with zip codes a page with the RDS zones will follow the zip code page.

As shown in image #4, the customer is then given the choice of emailing the Menu Guide to an address placed in address box, or simply downloading it directly to their PC.

If they email the Menu Guide once they fill in the blanks and after they select the “Email Menu Guide to me” link, they will receive the Menu Guide in a few minutes.

If they select the Download Menu Guide link a new window will appear showing the Menu Guide. This will take a moment to create the Menu Guide.

Once the Menu Guide is complete the window will enlarge and the customer can view it, save it to their PC and/or print it.

This Menu Guide will be made up of menus from every restaurant within the customer’s delivery area, and is customized every time a user selects a different zone from the list.

That’s the power of this module; it creates and formats a Menu Guide ON THE FLY of ONLY the restaurants that exist for delivery inside the chosen zone… ELIMINATING outdated MENU GUIDES!

Customizing the Menu Guide

In addition, our goal was to create a menu guide that matched a “printed” menu guide as close as. Simply lighting up the page to ‘email a menu guide’ generates a professional looking .PDF file using just the default settings.

But, if you would like to customize your Menu Guide to match your existing print media, we included a section in the DMS Admin pages allowing you to upload PDF “sections” into the guide, to be placed in predetermined locations inside the Menu Guide. Those locations are

• Front Cover appears at the front of the booklet
• Insert (Page 3 of Menu Guide) appears immediately after the front cover
• Back Cover appears at the end of the booklet
• 1/3 Insert appears one-third of the way into the booklet
• 1/2 Insert (Center of The Menu Guide) appears one-half of the way into the booklet
• 2/3 Insert appears two-thirds of the way into the booklet

To upload these PDF files, log into your DMS Online Ordering Management Page, then go to the Custom Settings section on the left and click on the Upload Menu Guide Files link.

Above is an image of what you will see. Enter the path of the file you wish to upload in the textbox or use the browse button to find the path, and then upload the file. In this image it shows the front cover, the insert, the back cover and the ½ insert (center) page has been added to the Menu Guide.

These options allow you not only create a “custom front/back cover” for the menu guide (allowing you to re-use your graphics on your printed media), but also insert items such as sold advertising into your guide.

Below are a few links to customized RDS menu guides, showing examples of how a Menu Guide can be customized… (With thanks to Delicious Deliveries and Eat In Express for use of their menu guides as an example).

http://www.datawedge.com/news/images/feb09/DDMenuBook_Feb2009_z24.pdf

http://www.datawedge.com/news/images/feb09/EIEMenuBook_Feb2009_z91.pdf

Next month, we’ll go into more detail regarding our new web engine, including our “Direct Delivery” links, our “Direct Takeout” links, and our Group Ordering Engine…

Did You Know

There has been 2 updates to the DMS 700 software in February. Build 7.0.9.2 and build 7.0.9.3. In the download screen you can view the changes and fixes for each update.

During the nightly maintenance in DMS you will receive a stick note when a new update is available. If you have the stick note notice turned off, in DMS go to the Help link then click "Check For Updates". DMS will close and the update screen will open. Then click on the button that says "View Available Downloads" Highlight the newest update then click on the Download button in the bottom left corner.

Always do the update on the server first pulling from the DataWedge server. When you do the updates on your workstations pull from your DMS server. If the Download Manager is expired call support for the latest Download Manager.