Wireless local-area-network technology makes wireless point of sale (POS) applications possible in hotels, restaurants, and other food service facilities such as stadiums and arenas.

Antennas are used as access points to manage the communications with the wireless handheld units. Normally one antenna is required per restaurant, although it could require more depending on the size, layout and construction of the facility.

As many as 225 handheld units can be run off one antenna. But the number of antennas usually is determined by the square footage of the area that needs to be covered. A site survey of the facility is conducted to determine how many antennas are needed.

While point-of-sale system providers agree wireless systems were a small part of the market in 2007, most anticipate significant growth in the wireless sector in 2008 and are working on solutions for future customers.

In North America, the wireless POS system was initially only in stadium markets due to the limited user interfaces screens on the handheld units. It was a good fit because stadiums have limited menus and servers had to cover large areas, such as all the club box seats.

One challenge has been to get the user interface on the handheld the same as it is on a touch-screen. Unless restaurants convert their whole operation to handheld units, the two screens must to be the same.

Other factors that inhibit the growth of wireless POS systems are cost, concerns about depersonalized service, the handheld unit's durability, and a lack of wireless standards. The biggest challenge, however, to wireless Point of Sale (POS) handheld order transmitters in restaurants is changing the basic way that restaurants operate.

A much faster turnover on the table with a wireless, handheld solution for servers is quite possible. Table turns are considered more important at chain restaurants than at hotel restaurants, according to industry insiders.

Another benefit to handhelds beyond faster table turns is enhancing the guest experience.

Servers at nice restaurants such as those in several Disney timeshare resorts can provide a wow-factor, personal touch and create a positive, enhanced guest experience. This particularly appeals to up-market four and five star hotel restaurants like Victoria and Alberts at the Grand Floridian near the Disney Boardwalk timeshares. For example, with handheld units the server can discreetly take an order for wine and have the wine delivered to the diners while still at the table completing the food order.

But most chain restaurants want to simply save time by turning tables more quickly so they can serve more customers. The biggest advantage of handhelds is that they speed up service and increase order-throughput. Servers can handle more tables using handhelds because they do not have to go back to the kitchen as often.

Handhelds thus provide both a volume-of-customers benefit and a customer-service benefit.

Servers using handheld units with credit-card readers and separate mobile printers can complete the credit-card transaction at the table, saving time compared to going back and forth to a non-mobile POS touch-screen.

Another potential benefit of handhelds is up-selling the order. Restaurants can save more time and increase revenues by up-selling if they are willing to change some of their practices, according to several restaurant experts.

The current method is to hire one server to handle five or six tables. That server will then do all the service for those tables, perhaps including setting the table and cleaning it off. With wireless handhelds, restaurants can hire salespeople who are good at up-selling and all they do is greet and take orders. They can recommend a dessert or drink with a certain meal.

If a hotel has a wireless LAN installed, they can use it for wireless POS. That same device can be used to order items for the restaurant and hotel, or for any other back-of-the-house use.

Wireless technology also checks-in guests and manages housekeeping activities.

Many hotel food and beverage operations are finding ways to use wireless, whether it is banquets, room service or on casino floors. The use of wireless at pools and beach bars is big because of the long distances that the server staff needs to cover.

A return of investment in the handheld order transmitting technology in restaurants is realistic in six to twelve months. The return is accomplished through increased revenues from table turns, reduction of labor costs, and fewer communications errors between servers and the kitchen. Communication errors cause both costly food-waste and customer dissatisfaction issues.