Paging Table Key Terms

Learn terms that describe types of paging table systems

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.

 

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

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