Setting up Kitchen Display System 2.0

KDS 2.0 is currently in beta. This feature is in development with regular updates.

About Kitchen Display System 2.0

The KDS works by assigning a dedicated POS to be the Hub. This Hub receives all of the orders from any number of POS and creates secure websites to display those orders for each service station, as needed. You can set all orders to go to a single screen or you can configure multiple KDS displays each with its own name, such as “Grill”, “Cold Service” or “Bar”. Items can be flagged for a specific KDS so you might send the order for a cheeseburger to the "Grill" while the order for a cocktail goes to the "Bar".

Once orders appear on a KDS screen, the operator can flag orders as they are started and when they are ready. Orders can be held, canceled, or have their priority changed.

The KDS is designed to create a live and interactive picture of what is needed and what is happening in your restaurant.

Preparing for KDS 2.0

To start, you'll need to enable KDS 2.0 on your account. Contact your Sales Account Manager for more details. Then, you’ll assign a dedicated POS to be the central Hub for KDS orders and configure your Back Office settings. Ensure you have the latest versions of the OS and POS installed. Finally, assign a tablet or any screen with a browser to act as the KDS screen.

The POS assigned to be the Hub for the KDS must always remain on for the system to function. Please keep it charged or plugged in at all times.

KDS 2.0 supports the two most recent versions of iOS, Android, Windows.

Configuring your dedicated POS Hub

Go to Settings > Kitchen Management System
Tap Check for updates to verify you're running the latest version. If there's an update available, then update to the latest version.

(If "Kitchen Management System" is not visible, that means it's not enabled for your account. Contact your Sales Account Manager to add it to your account.)

Assigning a Static IP to your POS Hub

It is important that the POS Hub does not lose its data connection with with KDS the screens. To prevent any network changes from affecting the Hub's connection, you will need to set a Static IP address to the iOS device assigned to be your Hub.

Open Settings.
Tap Wi-Fi.
Tap the name of your Wifi Network to open the menu for that connection.
Under IPV4 Address take note of the current IP Address.

Use the values you find on your device, not the ones from this sample screenshot.
From IPv4 Address, navigate to Configure IP > Manual.
Enter your IP Address as noted.
Set the “Subnet Mask” to 255.255.0.0
Set the Router to the same IP Address, except change the final number to 1.
Tap Save in the top right corner.

Understanding Kitchen management settings

IP Address: The IP address of your POS and the address you will need for your KDS screens.
Current version: The current version of KDS running on the POS. Tap Check for updates to see if there is a more recent version available.
Connection Code: The four digit security code each KDS screen needs to authenticate its connection.
Connected Devices: The list of devices that have been or are currently connected to this Hub.

Configuring the Back Office settings

Items will not appear on a KDS if they have not been assigned to a production center.

Each screen in KDS displays order items from one or more production centers, which need to be added in the Back Office before configuring the screen. In a restaurant with multiple screens or production centers, items can be directed to a specific location by editing each item and assigning it a production center.

Adding production centers

To add a production center in the Back Office:

Go to Configuration > Printing > Production centers
Click Add production center.
Enter a Name.
Fill in the form to customize the production center. For a list of settings and descriptions of what they do, see Production center settings.
Select Save to add the production center to the Back Office.

Configuring items for production centers

In the Back Office, edit your items to be routed to the proper production centers when ordered.

Go to Menu Management > Items. Click any item you wish to edit.
Go to Order instructions > Printing Stations. (Note that KDS screens appear here as Printing Stations). Under Select primary printing station, click on any production center to assign that item to the KDS.
Repeat the configuration for each item that needs to be directed to a production center.

Configuring the KDS Screen

To avoid connection interruptions, use a wired connection rather than relying on wifi.

Each KDS screen needs to be configured before it can start receiving and displaying orders.

Go to the IP address as listed on your POS in the browser. Note the Connection code (also called the Verification code).
Connect the KDS screen to the Hub by putting the IP Address in the browser address bar. (e.g. If the IP Address listed in the KDS is "10.0.1.24", then put that in the browser as though it were a website to go to the KDS.)
Select a language for the KDS screen.
To authenticate the screen, enter the Verification Code you noted earlier. Click Connect to confirm the code.
Enter a unique name for this KDS screen, maximum 25 characters. This name can be anything because it's not related to the Production center name and is only used to identify the screen on the POS Hub.
Select one or more of the production centers configured in the Back Office for this KDS screen. Multiple screens can be assigned to any Production center.