Max number of open guest checks

[Kenyonl]

We have run into an issue with keeping tickets open. We run a large bar and we keep several hundred tickets open at any given time. All servers use the same login since we do tip pooling. Therefore, we have discovered an interesting and quite painful system limit that I am hoping someone can assist with. I recognize the operational questions that this whole scenario raises. However, our situation is quite unique.

The system only allows us to show 176 total open guest checks at any one time. The list is in alpha order so by 2pm we can only see up to the letter M. Since the server cannot find a ticket for Mr. Smith they open another ticket for him. It makes for a mess at the end of the evening. Does anyone know of a way to increase this limit?

 

[PosGuyUS]

Which POS system?

 

[Kenyonl]

Sorry about that. MICROS.

 

[Moregelen]

First question.. do you actually have that menu check legitimately open or are the servers simply not closing their cleared tables?

 

[Kenyonl]

They are not closing their tables. We have guests that will stay from noon till 8pm. By 2pm we are past the maximum number of viewable checks so the servers end up opening more and more checks when they can't find the open checks.

Micros 9700 ver. 3.6

 

[Moregelen]

If you're saying what I think you are (that you have a ton of open checks that shouldn't be), this really sounds more like a training problem. I know it might seem easier to just modify the way the system works, but fixing a symptom is just a work around...

 

[PosGuyUS]

I think in the configurator, you're looking for File Config. In there should be where you can increase the numbers of open check detail size.

 

[Kenyonl]

True. Good memory. You can change the check detail size in there. Unfortunately that is the amount of detail for one check. We actually need number of open checks increased.

 

[PosGuyUS]

I thought it was the detail size of all open checks.

 

[hosehead78]

How are they looking for the previous checks? Are they Picking up a Check by Number/Name or picking from a list?

 

[Kenyonl]

They are picking from a list. The list is the problem. It only display 176 checks.

 

[hosehead78]

The screen is using Up/Down to show all of the checks?

Is it possible to allow them to enter the check number/name? The trick to this is remembering these numbers.

 

[Kenyonl]

Yes. But alas, they would have to remember the number. They remember some but that's rare.

 

[Moregelen]

.. have your servers close their checks? Or you could start using separate employee numbers; it wouldn't make tip pooling that much more difficult given that you could run a System report to see tip totals.

 

[hosehead78]

I would suggest the later from Moregelen. It would clear up a lot on your end. Tips can all be added together later through reports. You can setup employees to see only their checks or all checks.

 

[Kenyonl]

Agreed on all fronts. However, if we separate the servers then the overachievers will see that they are not getting their share of the pool. Sounds silly (and a bit unfair) but it is a real concern. For the time being we are stuck closing checks on an hourly basis which hurts our efficiency. I appreciate the operational suggestions and you are correct. Unfortunately, we arrived here after years of trying different things. Now we the business has grown exponentially and we've discovered this Micros limitation that we didn't plan for when we took this approach. We have a tier 2 ticket open with them so we will see if they can come up with anything. I will post back here if we find a solution. Thank you all for your help!

 

[hosehead78]

Not sure the full reasoning for Pooling Tips if Servers are concerned they do not get "their share". I completely understand pooling tips, but just not in this case or reasoning.

What if you go the route of a couple different Cashier/Server accounts, maybe 2 to 4? Do them based on sections of the establishment. This way all the servers can still see their tips in the pool as they are all still working under the same Cashier/Server number. You can then limit what each of these Cashier Server numbers see. So section 1 Server doesn't see checks for Section 2, 3 or 4. This helps limit the issue with the large guest check count per server account.

 

[Moregelen]

If it comes to it, your best solution will probably be to use a SIM using ISL generated touchscreens in order to generate your own Pickup Check button. You'd have to write the pagination code yourself and it will involve some database scripting, but it seems the easier approach at this point. Micros is unlikely to change their core code over this, if it isn't something that is a setting.

 

[hosehead78]

Looking at the Configurator there is a setting under RVC Information > Parameters > General Tab, look at Max Guest Check. You can go up to 9999. However, not sure if the Limitation you are having deals with the Workstation or not. I would think it does.

 

[Kenyonl]

Good thinking! But no, that wasn't it. That only appears to effect the check number itself.