Friday, November 13, 2009

Take To-Go Orders Online!

Over the last few years, I've been approached by several restaurant chains to design an online To-Go ordering system. Each restaurant chain had it's own set of complex problems that needed to be over come to facilitate taking on-line To-Go orders.

These problems included: multiple locations, multiple tax rates, different menus at different locations, Employee access, easy management at both local level and a corporate level. Sadly, the cost of designing a custom solution for these problems were always more than the budget allowed.

Each time I would meet with a Chain and listen to their set of issues I would draw up a project scope and work out a theory on how I would over come these obstacles.

After talking to several chains, I did begin to notice that most of the issues that the restaurant chains thought was proprietary to them were actually common problems for most restaurant chains. I then decided to design a solution for the most common problems.

So I began to put together all the project scope documents that I had done over the years.I then put together a project scope that included the most common obstacles.

One of the main issues was how to alert the restaurant of the new order and how to process that order in a timely fashion. To me this is the most important part of the Program and here's the solution and process that I designed.

New Order Is placed by the Customer

  • An alert is sent via SMS Text and email to the customer alerting them that their order was sent to the restaurant location.

  • At the same time, an SMS message, Email, alert is sent to location.

  • A local printer at the location will also print a new order

  • The Location will then process the order using the Back end website.

  • A SMS text Message is sent the customer alerting them of the status of the order


This process is tracked in the back end and allows the Restaurant chain to monitor the To-Go production of each location. This includes: What items are sold the most and what locations are selling the most.

The Next issue was how to design a menu system that would allow corporate to control what menu items each location could sell and still allow each location to design their own menu. The solution was a Menu Library.

The Menu Library works as follows:

Administrative users have the ability to upload menu items. This is the details of the actual menu item. The system allows for the Administrative users upload pictures and build combos. Each item has several fields ranging from price to side dishes.

Once the menu item is added to the menu library the Location Manager can then add the item to their location Library. The Location manager has the ability to make the item appear or not at anytime by changing it's status. The Manager also has the ability to set the price of the item (put it on sale). The system allows for the manager to setup Lunch menus, dinner menus and all day menus.

Payments
The next issue was how to get each location paid. To solve this problem we have setup a system that allows each location to have their own payment gateway. Each payment gateway is setup to deposit the money collected directly into the operations account of the Restaurant Location.

Reporting
The reporting for the site is based on the location. Each location has their own reports. This includes transaction reports, item reports, and sale tax report.

Unlimited Locations
The next issue was how to handle multiple location, multiple tax rates and of course users. The system is setup to allow an Administrator to add locations and location users. Each Manager also has the ability to edit their location information.


How much does it cost the Restaurant To take orders?
Nothing!!! Actually using our system creates a new revenue stream for each location. We charge a Convenience fee at the time of each transaction to your customer for the ease and use of placing the order online.This is just Like an ATM would charge for the use of an ATM. This is also the same way that movie theaters and Ticketmaster charges for purchasing on line.

The convenience fee is then split 50 / 50 between NewTechLabs and the Restaurant. So there is no Charge to sign up for the service and the convenience fee becomes a new source of revenue for the location.

If you would like a Demo of the TOGOPORTAL please call 713.269.6413.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Eliza Dushku Design a Myspace Page Contest

Earlier this year I entered a design contest. The contest was to design a myspace profile for the actor Eliza Dushku. Fox provided all the materials and it was the job of the contestants to use the material as they needed.

I designed two different profiles.
1. Simple Sexy Profile: This profile was just a simple white background with a simple image of Eliza Dushku. The profile was one colunm wide and is not your typical Myspace page. The profile run in the Profile 1.0 enviroment.

To view this profile please goto: http://www.myspace.com/elizacontest

2. Flash Action Profile: This profile was more focused on Eliza Dushku's new series Dollhouse. It featured a large banner area and had hot links to the main sections of the Myspace. All and all this is my favorite profile. I even added a Image rotators (via ASP on Myspace, a pretty cool trick I must say)

To view this profile please goto: http://www.myspace.com/scratchProfile


In the end, it would be my simple sexy profile that won!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

facebook rant

I am convinced that Facebook is a Spy ware site. My girlfriend has a facebook account (I do not use facebook as I prefer myspace for my social networking needs). I got her a brand new laptop yesterday, because her other computer is hosed (and it's a little out dated being 4 years old) it was time to migrate her to a laptop and get her into the 21 century.

She installed the basics on the laptop (Adobe master suite and Ms Office) which is all the programs she needs or uses. She then proceeded to goto her FaceBook (she plays all these social games)

within hours of playing her games, her computer was hosed. The IE has a hijacker program and won't go to any URL without erroring out. Even restoring the to a previous date did not fix her issue.

Make a long story short, I ended up restoring her computer back to it's original state and had to start over. This time I'm taking a "snap" shot of the hard drive so when it gets infected again I don't have to redo her WHOLE computer again.

I have been long time protestor of Facebooks for several reasons, now I am Convinced that this site is after your soul! (or at least your browser!)

STAY AWAY FROM FACAEBOOK!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Deutch & Deutch Fine Jewelry and Watches

I recently developed a Website for Deutch & DeutchFine Jewelry and Watches.

They have 3 locations, in Houston, Laredo and McAllen.Their website includes over 2000 items of inventory in their Website's database.

Their Brands include : Aaron Basha, Antonini, Barry Kronen, Beverley K, Bixby , Bucceleti , Bulgari, Cartier, Chad Allison , Charles Krypell, Charriol , Davidoff, Fope , Hidalgo , Honora, James Breski, Jordan Scott, Judith Ripka, Jyes International, KC Designs, Konstantino Treasures, Norman Covan,
PE Jay Creations, Rina Limor, Sal Praschnik, Stuller, Trimoro, William Levine

Please visithttp://www.deutschdeutschjewelers.com Houston Fine Jewelrey.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

NewTechLabs Hosting Vs Hurricane Ike

Over the years, I've had to defend the cost of web hosting. It always starts with I can get web hosting for $5.95 a month at some other hosting provider. I always state, "Yes, you can get Linux hosting just about anywhere for that price. However My servers are a windows hosting solution and the same service goes for about $99.99 a month at other service providers."

The truth is my $29.99 a month plan is very reasonable when you look at how solid my servers are. My hosting service was put to the test last week when Hurricane Ike came thru the Galveston and Houston Texas. As most of you know my servers are located in the middle of Downtown houston and right in the path of Hurricane Ike. During the hurricane, over 3.5 million people lost power*. NewTechLabs Houston Web Hosting stayed up all thru the hurricane and it's aftermath. NewTechLabs Houston web hosting allowed all of it's Houston users to make changes to their web site and allowed people in Houston (who still had power) to access websites and email.

So when the Houston phone's were down, Our Houston customers were still able to send and receive emails! This allowed people to correspond to their loved ones when they could not get thru Via Phone!

I'm happy to be able to give my customers the ability to communicate to their loved ones in the their time of NEED!

All for under 30 dollars a month for Web Hosting. How much is communicating to your loved ones worth to you?

Thanks to everyone that helps make NewTechLabs one of Houston's best Web hosting Company's. So Thanks to the NewTechLabs partners and technical teams. This includes: Ingrid Fuller with Cityscope Web Hosting and Chris Duke With NewTechLabs Houston Web Hosting Who help make things happen!.

For All your Houston Needs Please Visit NewTechLabs Houston Web hosting.



* Source: Reuters News; http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSN13445757._CH_.2400

Friday, August 29, 2008

Wood-Mode Houston

I recently launched a portal for Houston Wood-Mode Dealers. Wood-mode manufactures Cabinets for your kitchen, Bath room, closets, media centers, and studies.

The wood mode portal features alittle history about Woodmode, Samples of cabinets and showroom locations!

Please visit: www.Wood-ModeHouston.com for more information about the Houston Kitchen Showrooms

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Houston Jewelry Store

I recently launched a new website for a Houston Jewelry Store. The Jewerly Store is Located in Rice Village just off of Kirby.

Please check out the Fine Jewerly Store at www.ShaftelDiamond.com For more details.

Thanks!