Transaction Volume

As a site’s guest check volume increases, so does the workload placed on the share services. A guest check consists of one or more transactions – also known as a service round. Each round begins either by picking up (resuming) an existing check or starting a new check. The round is completed when the check is service totaled (saved) or tendered out completely.

Here are some examples of transaction counts:

• Counter service:

  • Begin check, ring in items, pay check

  • 1 transaction

• Drive thru:

  • Order window/speaker: begin check, ring in items, save check

  • Payment/pickup window: resume check, pay check

  • 2 transactions

• Table service:

  • Begin check, ring in appetizers, service total

  • Pick up check, ring in entrees, service total

  • Pick up check, apply discounts, print check, service total

  • Pick up check, pay check

At the end of each service round, the POS client sends updates to CAPS, items to Print Controllers for remote printing, items to the KDS controller, and so on.

It is also important to consider the traffic patterns that a site sees. POS systems typically require high performance for short spurts – like half time at a sporting event or a lunch rush. The hardware selected must handle the peak loads seen at a site.