Order Timers

Order Timers

Order Timers in EquiBillBook's Kitchen Display System track the preparation time for each order, helping kitchen staff monitor how long orders have been in preparation and identify orders that may need attention.

What are Order Timers?

Order Timers are visual countdown or elapsed time indicators that show how long each order has been in the system. They help kitchen staff prioritize orders, identify delays, and maintain consistent service times.

How Order Timers Work

Order Timers operate by:

• Starting Timer: Timer starts when a KOT is created
• Displaying Time: Shows elapsed time since order creation
• Updating in Real-time: Timer updates continuously as time passes
• Visual Indicators: Uses colors or warnings for orders exceeding expected time

Accessing Order Timers

Order Timers are automatically displayed on the Kitchen Display System:

1. Navigate to Restaurant → Kitchen Display
2. Timers are shown for each order on the display
3. Timer format may vary (minutes:seconds or total minutes)

Timer Display Formats

Order Timers can be displayed in different formats:

• Elapsed Time: Shows how long the order has been in preparation (e.g., "15:32" for 15 minutes and 32 seconds)
• Total Minutes: Displays total minutes since order creation
• Countdown: Shows remaining time if target preparation time is set
• Relative Time: Shows time relative to order creation (e.g., "2 minutes ago")

Timer Features

Order Timers include the following features:

• Automatic Start: Timer begins when KOT is created
• Continuous Update: Timer updates in real-time
• Color Coding: Different colors for different time ranges
• Warning Indicators: Visual alerts for orders exceeding expected time
• Per-Item Timers: Individual timers for each item in an order (if applicable)

Timer Color Coding

Timers often use color coding to indicate order age:

• Green: Recently created orders (within expected time)
• Yellow: Orders approaching expected preparation time
• Orange: Orders slightly exceeding expected time
• Red: Orders significantly exceeding expected time (urgent attention needed)

Expected Preparation Time

To make timers more effective:

1. Set expected preparation times for different item categories
2. Configure timer warnings based on expected times
3. Adjust expectations based on your restaurant's typical preparation times
4. Review and update expected times periodically

Using Timers for Prioritization

Order Timers help kitchen staff:

• Identify Old Orders: Quickly spot orders that have been waiting longest
• Prioritize Work: Focus on orders that need immediate attention
• Monitor Efficiency: Track how long orders take to prepare
• Manage Rush Periods: Handle high-volume periods more effectively

Timer Configuration

Configure timer settings (if available):

• Display Format: Choose how time is displayed
• Warning Thresholds: Set time limits for color changes
• Sound Alerts: Enable audio alerts for orders exceeding time limits
• Expected Times: Set expected preparation times by category

Best Practices

• Monitor timers regularly to identify bottlenecks
• Use timer colors to prioritize work effectively
• Set realistic expected preparation times
• Train staff on how to read and respond to timer indicators
• Review timer data to improve kitchen efficiency
• Adjust workflows based on timer patterns
• Use timers to balance workload across stations

Timer Benefits

Order Timers provide several benefits:

• Improved Service Times: Help maintain consistent preparation times
• Better Prioritization: Enable staff to focus on urgent orders
• Performance Tracking: Monitor kitchen efficiency over time
• Customer Satisfaction: Reduce wait times and improve service quality
• Workload Management: Identify when stations are overloaded

Troubleshooting

If Order Timers are not working correctly:

• Timers Not Showing: Verify that timer display is enabled in settings
• Incorrect Time: Check system clock and timezone settings
• Timers Not Updating: Ensure auto-refresh is enabled on the display
• Missing Timers: Verify that KOTs have creation timestamps

Next Steps

After understanding Order Timers:

• Configure Real-time Order Display for automatic updates
• Set up Station Filtering to organize orders by kitchen stations
• Enable Status Updates to track order progress