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KDS — Layout Options Feature

KDS — Layout Options Feature 1. Background Current KDS displays all orders in a single horizontal card flow . Kitchens use different hardware setups (EPOS tablets, wall-mounted displays, countertop screens). A fixed layout forces staff to adapt, increasing visual scanning time , cognitive load , and errors , especially during peak hours. 2. Objective Introduce a Layout Options setting so each device can choose the most suitable layout. The selected layout applies to both Open and Completed screens , and persists across reloads. 3. User Value Faster and easier order recognition . Layout that adapts to different screen sizes and mounting positions. Reduced missed items and smoother workflow during rush hours. 4. Proposed Layouts (MVP) 1. Horizontal (Default) Cards flow left-to-right, wrapping to next row. Larger card area for details. Ideal for wall displays or large EPOS devices. 2. Vertical List Single-column, full-width stacked cards. ...

KDS Offline Mode

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KDS Offline Mode MockUp :  Click to view the mockup Summary Problem: KDS devices (tablets/EPOS) in kitchens often lose network connectivity. When offline, chefs must still mark items as done. If actions fail or are lost, orders get stuck, causing delays and operational errors. Goal: Introduce a robust Offline Mode allowing chefs to continue working without connectivity, while the device safely queues actions and automatically syncs when online. Ensure clarity, data safety, and a smooth workflow. Why This Matters High availability: Kitchens must operate even with intermittent network failures. Business impact: Prevents delays and missed items; reduces friction between chefs and runners. Operational safety: Maintains order integrity and customer experience during outages. Key Behaviors (User-Facing) Offline Indicator: Prominent, persistent “Offline” banner when the device loses connectivity. Local Queueing: Actions like item taps, mark-all, re...

Edited Order Highlighting & Configurable New-Item Duration.

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Edited Order Highlighting & Configurable New-Item Duration. Mockup :   click to view mockup Summary Problem: Orders already in the Completed tab can be modified (new items added). Staff often miss these new additions because completed cards look final and controls are hidden. This leads to missed items, dispatch delays, and poor customer experience. Proposal: When a new item is appended to a Completed order, highlight it with a light-orange background + “NEW” label for a configurable duration . A new Settings control will allow users to set this duration (in seconds). This ensures discoverability without forcing orders back to Open. Why This Matters Completed orders visually appear “finished,” so newly injected items are ignored by the kitchen team. Highlighting new items increases visibility, reduces errors, speeds up response time, and improves overall throughput and customer satisfaction. Target Scenarios Standard Flow: Chef marks all items; car...

Elevating Chef Efficiency Through Improved Tappable Item Indicators.

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Elevating Chef Efficiency Through Improved Tappable Item Indicators. Making Interactive Items Obvious for Faster Chef Workflow Mockup   Click to view the mockup Problem In the KDS Open Tab, chefs must tap each food item to mark it as cooked. Once all items are tapped, the order automatically moves to Completed. However, chefs do not tap items because they look like plain text. There is no icon, feedback, or hint indicating that the items are interactive. Result: Orders stay in Open even after cooking Runners repeatedly ask for order status Delayed dispatch & cold food Poor quality standard for completing a task. visibility and operational confusion Root Cause No visual affordance (checkbox, icon, hover/touch effect) UI resembles static receipt text No onboarding tip explaining item tapping Misleading reliance on the main “DONE” button User Pain Points “I didn’t know I have to tap items.” “It looks like plain text.” “Why didn’...