Online pizza ordering system?

[TheJoshMan]

What sort of languages would be needed to accomplish such a thing? Where the user inputs all the info in the form fields provided, then the info gets sent directly to the cash register and prints a ticket? PHP and ??? VB? C++? I really have no idea beyond the php, and I don't even know if PHP would handle that.

[thetestingsite]

It mostly depends upon the cash register system. If it is a computer based system like IBM, Micros, etc. then PHP might be able to handle it with a lot of complex coding, but probably the better idea would be to use a version of C (C++, C#, etc) to accomplish this.

Hope this helps.

[TheJoshMan]

well, when I get the site done... This project will be posted in the paid work requests forum because I know LITTLE php, and LESS THAN NO C++ etc...

LOL

However, I'm kind of getting the feeling that this project would either require direct access or at least remote access to the cash register system wouldn't it?

[thetestingsite]

I'm kind of getting the feeling that this project would either require direct access or at least remote access to the cash register system wouldn't it?

That is correct. Usually, it would need direct access to it; however, you may be able to find a way to do it remotely. Never know unless you try (I've never really tried anything like this before, so can't really be much more help than this).

[TheJoshMan]

It's ok... I may end up seeing if they might be willing to compromise to just recieving emails on a computer which would always have the email account open and ready to view new orders... Who knows. This is definitely turning out to be a very large headache. They never mentioned online ordering when they gave me the job. It was originally supposed to just be a website... Then they decided they wanted to be the only pizza joint in town with "online ordering"

LOL


Ah, what businesses will do for profits nowadays

[Medyman]

It's ok... I may end up seeing if they might be willing to compromise to just recieving emails on a computer which would always have the email account open and ready to view new orders... Who knows. This is definitely turning out to be a very large headache. They never mentioned online ordering when they gave me the job. It was originally supposed to just be a website... Then they decided they wanted to be the only pizza joint in town with "online ordering"

This is why you should have a firm terms of service signed at the outset. Hopefully, you're getting a nice chunk of change for this additional task.

When I was starting out, I had a job that was similar to this. It was for a lighting store that took orders online. The printing out of orders was no where as frequent as you might have for a pizza shop, but nonetheless, the owners wanted new orders to be looked after right away.

I totally threw out the automatic cash register link-up idea. It seemed way too complex for me. What we ended up doing, was using software that automatically prints all email that comes into the inbox. We set up a separate "orders" email and that's it... Simple PHP for the rest. Payment was taken after the order was received so I didn't even have to deal with PayPal or other vendors (you probably are in the same boat. payment taken when they come to pick up?).

The client actually contacted us a few weeks ago. She wanted some additional info added to the form and some over-all upgrades. We dumped the automatic print app (because I was never fond of it). We wrote our own AIR app that does the same thing but in a more controlled/extensible fashion.

Shoot me a PM with your client's budget for this new feature. I _might_ be able to help you out.

[Nile]

Why don't you try something like this:
http://www.microworks.com/products/Web-Ordering.htm

[TheJoshMan]

wow, thanks alot Nile... That's so very helpful of you. How can I ever thank you enough??? LOL

[Nightfire]

That's handy. Will keep that bookmarked until needed :D

[TheJoshMan]

You can keep it bookmarked... but if you intend to use it, you'll have to make sure whatever restaraunt you're going to use it for uses the ordering terminals (cash registers) that are made by "Prism"

Otherwise it won't be able to communicate