As a restaurant owner or manager, you're interested in learning more about table paging types and styles. Restaurants want to use the most effective and up-to-date procedures to alert customers to ready tables. If the waiting process is troublesome or the calling method ineffective, the customers leave or choose not to return for a next visit.

The most common table paging types and styles include visual, tactile, and audio. Some paging types include two or more of the sensory methods. When thinking about how your restaurant will page customers to their tables, consider the following information about paging tables types and styles:

1. Visual paging table systems visually alert all customers of the tables ready for service.

2. Tactile paging tables methods alert individual customers who have a table ready.

3. Audio paging tables systems alert customers of available tables through a PA system.

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Use visual signs for table paging at a restaurant

Restaurant owners can post visual digital signs in the waiting areas to alert customers of available tables. Restaurant workers give customers a number upon arrival. When the table is available, the workers key in the number on a number pad and the number displays on the sign for customers. Restaurant owners must ensure that displays are in all waiting areas, including outside areas and bars. Customers can view the sign frequently to check for their number. Many customers like this style because they can view numbers called to determine how soon their turn will come.

I recommend: Ctronix offers a paging visual sign in the form of a plaque that lists the last six numbers called for tables. Micro Frame also offers visual paging tables systems. Purchase the digital sign wireless or with wires.

Purchase a buzzer paging table system to notify customers

Many restaurants choose to purchase individual buzzers or vibrators to give to customers upon arrival. The paging station sets the vibrator off when the table is ready; the buzzers vibrate and/or glow when contacted by the paging station. Using this method, customers do not need to be in visual sight of a sign. However, they must be within frequency reach of the paging station. Other customers are not aware of the calling order.

I recommend: Call Systems sells vibrator guest pagers. They also offer the Glowster, which lights up and vibrates. Long Range Systems sells guest paging systems uniquely in the shape of lobsters and pizza for specialty restaurants.

Consider audio paging table microphone systems to alert customers of available tables

Some restaurants prefer to alert customers of their table availability by simply having a worker announce that the table is ready. In most cases, workers make the announcement in the form of the party's last name and number of guests. A microphone PA system is used. The key to this system is to ensure that guests hear the announcement in all possible waiting areas, including outside and in the restrooms.

I recommend: All Things POS offers a desktop paging system for restaurant table paging. Samson Tech sells an audio paging system that features a chime to alert guests that an announcement will follow.

Table paging devices help manage a restaurant's waiting list. In the past, customers waited in massive lines for a table, the host of the restaurant would shout the name on the reservation and run around looking for the person they called. Table paging systems have changed the entire process. Now, customers receive table paging buzzers or table paging vibrators that alert the patron when their table is ready. Many restaurants with waitstaff are buying table paging systems to speed up the seating process.

Paging a restaurant table is only one ways to use table paging devices. Guest pagers are small, handheld devices that beep or vibrate when the patron's table is ready. Waiter pagers are placed on the table to alert the waitstaff when the customer needs something. Wall-mounted pagers display a number to alert the customer or the waitstaff; how the unit is used is completely up to you. Select the type of restaurant table paging solution that works for your business.

1. Use guest table pagers to alert customers when their table is ready.

2. Allow customers to use a table paging system to contact waitstaff.

3. Alert customers or waitstaff with a wall-mounted table paging system.

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Page restaurant tables for a customer

Improve the efficiency of your restaurant's seating process with a table paging system. It makes the process easier for the hostess and reassures the customer that they won't miss their name being called. The small, handheld devices buzz or vibrate when activated by the hostess, letting the patron know their table or food is ready. Guest pagers are available not only in round or square shapes, but also in lobster, pizza and other food shapes.

I recommend: Browse the table paging services provided by Microframe Corporation. Long Range Systems carries unique food-shaped pagers as well as table pagers with areas for advertising. Visit Commtech Wireless for a full range of systems for paging a restaurant table.

Purchase a paging table system to help waiters serve tables more efficiently

The waiter call system for a table is very common within many restaurants. With these pagers the control board assigns tables to a specific pager. A call button for the pager system sits on each table and customers push the button to contact the waiter when they need something.

I recommend: Unify Technologies provides specialized waiter call systems for tables. Contact RestTech Solutions for quotes on waiter call systems. Cresco/Resco Restaurant Equipment supplies a variety of waiter call systems.

Contact customers and waitstaff with wall-mounted table paging systems

These table paging systems have a controller and a wall-mounted unit that used for both customers and waitstaff. The wall-mounted units are generally numeric and display the number typed in the controller. These table pagers are less expensive than other pager systems. A customer or waiter is assigned a number and when the number is displayed the table is ready or the waiter is needed for something.

I recommend: Visit HME Wireless for light-up table paging devices. Request a quote for wall-mounted systems at JTECH Communications. Call-Systems Technology supplies wall-mounted or handheld table paging devices specifically for restaurants.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Not all table paging systems are meant for every occasion and business, so plan accordingly.

Restaurants and other service businesses often have wait times that customers have to deal with. These businesses can use paging table systems to notify their customers when their table or order is ready. Similar systems also might notify the wait staff when their customers need their assistance or when food is ready for delivery to a table.

There are many styles of paging systems, so you'll want to know paging table key terms to help you pick the right one. You can use coaster, paddle and vibrating style pagers to page customers. Visual "now serving" systems also notify customers, but rely on a line of sight from the customer waiting area to the display location. Vibrating pagers can also notify staff that customers need them, as can alphanumeric systems.

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Guest paging

Many types of businesses may want to page either their guests or their staff, or both. Systems that are designed specifically for customers are called guest paging systems. Waiting pagers usually refer to the systems designed for staff. You can also use coaster and paddle style pagers to page customers.

I recommend: To find out the difference between guest paging and wait staff paging, go to Phone Source.

Coaster guest pagers

Restaurants hand out coaster style pagers to customers who are waiting for a table. The pager buzzes and lights up when their table is ready. The pagers have a rechargeable battery, and you can charge them by stacking them on top of each other in the base charger unit.

I recommend: To see an overview of a coaster style guest pager system, including illustrations, visit FoodSoftware.com.

Paddle guest pager

Paddle pagers work similarly to coaster pagers. With paddle chargers, the main difference is the way you can charge the pagers. The charger base has a spot for each pager, so it takes up more space than the coaster charger.

I recommend: Central Products provides a description and pictures of a paddle style guest pager system.

Now serving, take-a-number

For these type of pagers, customers must take a sequential number when they enter the establishment. This type of system usually displays the number, which is visible to customers. This system also may display which number customer is next for service. Another option is to display a number telling a customer that their order is ready in a system where staff members give customers a number as they request service.

I recommend: To check out various styles of now serving paging systems, go to Microframe.

Vibrating pagers

Vibrating pagers are excellent for venues where even the low-volume buzzing noise of a coaster-style pager might be distracting. Vibrating pagers vibrate quietly, so only the person carrying the pager is aware of it.

I recommend: For a description of silent, vibrating pagers and their features go to INTERPAGE.

Alphanumeric paging display system

An alphanumeric paging display system has the capability for guests to call for service. Wait staff can monitor the system and respond to the call as needed. This type of system is set up for businesses that serve over a hundred guests or groups of guests at a time.

I recommend: Ace-Karoke.com offers information about alphanumeric paging display systems.

Paging table systems are quite common in restaurants, allowing the staff to notify customers when their table or order is ready. If you've purchased one and you're having trouble with it, you may be able to find help online. If you're researching which one to buy, check out the support you'll receive before you purchase it.

There are several problems you may be able to solve by a visit to a website. Table paging installation and maintenance includes the following areas of concern:

1. Installing paging table system, which generally involves ensuring the charger and transmitter have adequate space and a power source.

2. Learning how to replace batteries of defective or dead pager units.

3. Inquiring about service and warranty issues.

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Download product manuals for paging table systems

When you purchase table paging systems, many vendors will help you set up the system. Whether they do or not, you can get valuable information from the product manual, including information about installation, maintenance and other issues that may come up during your use of the product. Learn how to get the best range from your paging system and how often you should expect to have to replace batteries or pagers with product manuals.

I recommend: Click on the names of various system models at INTERPAGE to download manuals, information or software. Download PDF file manuals of many different models of paging systems from Microframe. Find product brochures, setup instructions and product manuals of products offered by iPort Communications.

Get paging table systems warranty and service information

In some cases, you may need to perform routine maintenance in order to qualify for your warranty. Many situations can cause you to seek warranty or service information. A broken transmitter would be a worst-case scenario, but other minor issues such as a dead pager would be a reason to seek service or make a claim on the warranty. If the pagers take batteries, you might fix the problem by replacing them.

I recommend: Get service and warranty information and other helpful information on the paging products offered by JTECH Communications. Click on links for warranties and other support options from Alzatex.

Find table paging installation and maintenance resources online

Beyond the manual and warranty information, you can get other kinds of online help for your product. Some vendors and manufacturers provide help in the form of written or video tutorials detailing how to use the product or troubleshooting to fix problems. Also, you might learn the best way to use the product to get the most life out of your pagers.

I recommend: Get drivers and information on reordering and warranty issues from Long Range Systems. Find out how to install and use your paging system and get other helpful information at the support page for American Messaging Services. Visit the technical support resource center at Commtech Wireless for technical knowledge, drivers, utility and other helpful information.