Kitchen Display Setup

Kitchen Display Setup

The Kitchen Display System (KDS) in EquiBillBook provides a real-time visual display of orders for your kitchen staff. This guide will walk you through setting up the Kitchen Display System to streamline order preparation and improve kitchen efficiency.

What is the Kitchen Display System?

The Kitchen Display System is a digital display system that shows orders from KOTs (Kitchen Order Tickets) in real-time on screens or tablets in your kitchen. It helps kitchen staff:

• View Orders Instantly: See new orders as soon as they're created
• Track Order Status: Monitor order preparation progress
• Filter by Station: View orders assigned to specific kitchen stations
• Monitor Timers: Track preparation time for each order
• Update Status: Mark items as preparing, ready, or served

Prerequisites

Before setting up the Kitchen Display System, ensure you have:

• Restaurant Module enabled
• Kitchen Stations created and configured
• KOT system set up and operational
• Access to the Kitchen Display page (appropriate user permissions)

Accessing Kitchen Display Setup

To access the Kitchen Display System:

1. Navigate to Restaurant from the main menu
2. Click on Kitchen Display or KDS
3. Alternatively, go to KOT → Kitchen Display

Initial Setup Steps

Follow these steps to set up your Kitchen Display System:

1. Access the Kitchen Display Page: Navigate to the Kitchen Display view
2. Configure Display Settings: Set up display preferences and layout options
3. Set Up Stations: Ensure all kitchen stations are properly configured
4. Test Display: Create a test KOT to verify the display is working correctly

Display Configuration Options

The Kitchen Display System offers various configuration options:

• Auto-refresh Interval: Set how often the display refreshes to show new orders
• Station Filter: Configure which stations to display orders for
• Order Sorting: Choose how orders are sorted (by time, station, priority)
• Display Layout: Select the layout style that works best for your kitchen
• Sound Alerts: Enable or disable sound notifications for new orders

Station Configuration

To ensure proper station filtering:

1. Verify that all kitchen stations are created and active
2. Ensure stations are assigned to appropriate item categories
3. Check that KOTs are properly assigning items to stations
4. Test station filtering to ensure orders appear in the correct station view

Display Devices

The Kitchen Display System can be accessed on:

• Tablets: Mounted tablets in the kitchen for easy viewing
• Desktop Monitors: Large screens for better visibility
• Laptops/Computers: Standard computers with browser access
• Mobile Devices: Smartphones for managers to monitor kitchen status

Browser Requirements

For optimal performance, use:

• Modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Browser auto-refresh enabled or manual refresh capability
• Stable internet connection for real-time updates
• Full-screen mode for better visibility (F11 or browser fullscreen)

Best Practices

• Place display devices at eye level for easy viewing by kitchen staff
• Use large screens or tablets for better readability
• Set up multiple displays if you have multiple stations
• Configure auto-refresh to ensure real-time order updates
• Train kitchen staff on how to use the display and update order statuses
• Test the system during slow periods before using it during peak hours
• Keep display devices clean and protected from kitchen environment

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with the Kitchen Display System:

• Orders Not Showing: Verify that KOTs are created and items are assigned to stations
• Display Not Updating: Check auto-refresh settings or manually refresh the page
• Station Filter Not Working: Verify station assignments in KOT creation
• Performance Issues: Reduce auto-refresh interval or check internet connection

Next Steps

After setting up the Kitchen Display System:

• Configure Real-time Order Display settings
• Set up Station Filtering for your kitchen layout
• Enable Order Timers to track preparation time
• Train staff on Status Updates for order tracking