According to comScore, a marketing research company, new data indicates that the use of Facebook and Twitter on cell phones or other mobile devices has greatly increased over the last year. With over 30% of smartphone users accessing social networking sites on a regular basis, cell phones have become a main source of interaction and communication. It’s comfortable, convenient and cost effective. It only makes sense that restaurants tap into this resource as it pertains to the restaurant business. People are very accustomed to interacting in a technological way and Call4Sure enables restaurants to participate with guests in this form of communication. Not to mention, people enjoy the freedom of not being physically tied down, which is alleviated with Call4Sure since it allows you to communicate with guests wherever cell phone service is available. Here we have the merging of what is now an “old-fashioned” interaction, that being eating together, with current interaction, that being communication by mobile device.

As for your business, GuestAlert paging systems reduce the likelihood of guests walking away before being seated. Any restaurant owner knows that when a guest leaves before ever reaching the table, that’s a missed opportunity for revenue and profits. More interestingly though, guest pagers can actually increase sales by encouraging customers to hang-out in the bar area and have a few drinks while waiting for their table. Your customers will no longer have to worry that the bar area is too noisy and fear missing their name being called. Meanwhile, the lack of congestion around the hostess stand and at your front door will make the overall environment more pleasant. The results often speak for themselves and include increased check averages, greater tips, happier employees, and a healthier bottom line.

As we mentioned in our last post, each pager has a unique Channel Access Protocol (CAP) code. To signal a specific pager you enter its’ number into the master transmitter. The master transmitter first encodes and then transmits or broadcasts the signal to all of the local pagers, but only the pager with the corresponding CAP code responds. Some master transmitters can also be connected to a phone system, which enables every pager to be “paged” directly from any phone on the system. This is especially valuable in larger restaurants and other hospitality applications such as hotels, resorts and clubs. An optional GuestAlert feature is the Call4Sure™ cellular phone messaging module.

Additional JTECH Master Transmitter Features:
• Plugs into standard 110V outlet
• Operates in FM mode on UHF (450-470 MHz)
• Adjustable power settings with up to 2 watts of power for complete area coverage
• Out of range feature captures guests, reduces walk-away’s and reduces pager loss (GuestAlert)
• Search feature assists in pager management and reduces pager loss (GuestAlert)
• 2X and 3X messaging options (ServAlert)
• Server Cancel and Expeditor Panels (ServAlert)
• Integrates with other JTECH systems
• Designed Restaurant Tough™

Pagers are essentially simple radios that have predetermined responses upon receiving the correct signal. It’s a method of communication that, while simple, has provided a host of businesses in the hospitality industry with a countless number of applications. Whether they’re used to signal guests that their table is ready or allow cooks to quickly communicate with servers on the dining floor, pagers are an integral part of many of today’s most successful casual dining restaurants.

Each JTECH pager offers several “addresses”, each with its’ own a Channel Access Protocol (CAP) code, allowing the pager to be activated when signaled by that code. Moreover, each pager “address” is pre-programmed with a specific response or “cadence”, allowing several distinct responses from a single pager, depending on the commands sent from the master transmitter. Most of the pagers used in JTECH’s GuestAlert® and ServAlert® systems fall under the classification of “beepers” which means they communicate simple messages through vibration, tone and/or flashing lights.

In our next post we’ll describe the master transmitter, which is a significant part of a JTECH wireless restaurant solution. It’s the central device responsible for sending messaging to the JTECH family of pagers.

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JTECH’s ServAlert® instant messaging system streamlines your internal communications. ServAlert allows kitchen staff to communicate immediately with servers and manager—increasing overall speed of service and quality of meals while preventing costly mistakes and reheats. The more efficient your servers tend to your guests’ needs, the faster they can turn tables and serve additional guests. ServAlert and the ServerPass™ pagers are designed Restaurant Tough™ to consistently perform in the harshest restaurant environments, streamlining service and maximizing every profit opportunity.

ServAlert Allows You To:

• Get food out of the kitchen faster
• Prevent the need for reheats
• Increase guest check averages
• Reduce labor expenses
• Increase tips for wait staff
• Improve customer rapport and loyalty

An integral part of the ServAlert system is the robust ServerPass ™ pager. ServerPass is designed and manufactured Restaurant Tough ™ and is the perfect communication tool for busy restaurant environments. These low profile, silent vibration pagers help to improve efficiency, especially during peak hours to maximize productivity and enhance profitability.

Additional ServAlert Features:

• 8, 16 and 32-button panels
• Multiple messaging capabilities
• Fully integrated with the JTECH GuestAlert ® wireless communication system
• Server Cancel and Expeditor modes
• Easy to use and convenient removable nameplates
• A durable metal housing designed to stand up to the rigors of the restaurant industry
• UHF technology that provides complete coverage within a range of up to a mile or more
• Pages that are sent continuously until cancelled
• Remote location paging for managers
• Full support of the ServerPass rechargeable pager and the InstaCall Numeric manager pagers

ServAlert is just one of the many reasons why over 60,000 customers have chosen JTECH for wireless paging solutions that enhance and streamline operations, reduce costs and improve profitability.

Guest service is a significant differentiator in the competitive restaurant business, especially in challenging economic times. JTECH’s GuestAlert® paging system improves guest service by letting your guests know when their tables are ready and when they’re able to be seated. All GuestAlert® system pagers offer voice alerts for out-of-range guests, which helps retain diners and reduce pager loss. GuestAlert® will assist you in turning more tables and increasing profits.

Here are some of the added benefits of our GuestAlert® system:

• Find guests faster
• Reduce no-shows and walkaways
• Provide more accurate wait times
• Seat more people quicker
• Eliminate annoying overhead PA noise
• Reduce guest anxiety
• Establish commitment between restaurant and guest

JTECH’s ServAlert® paging system increases the proficiency of your staff. With streamlined communication, your servers are able to spend more time with your guests. This allows them to employ suggestive selling techniques and increase sales while also creating a better rapport with guests. This improved efficiency often translates to an increase in tips for the wait staff and an increase in repeat guests. Also, servers can be notified immediately in the event of questions or problems from the kitchen. It is more profitable to run a restaurant that encourages loyal, returning customers than it is to attract new diners.

The ServAlert® Advantage:

• Have diner’s meals arrive quickly, hot and correctly prepared
• Eliminate reheats
• Increase average check
• Reduce labor expenses
• Make food runners more efficient
• Run a smoother operation
• Retain good servers with increased tips