Ghosting is defined by when a tag record appears on screen when the tag is not actively in use. Typically this occurs when a Guest Tag (coaster) is moving between the area where the tags are collected (“deactivate station”) and where they are distributed at a register or counter.
Most commonly, tags will remain on screen after the coaster has been placed on the charger. This is because the guest tags go into sleep mode when on a charger and do not broadcast.
There is one fundamental item that defines how a Guest Tag triggers an update in the system.
The Guest Tag must hear the same Reference Tag 2x in a row for the system to update. This applies for a table, zone, deactivate or activate tag.
As an example:
Once a table has been located and food runner removes the guest tag from the table, they are stored in the deactivator bin until they go back onto the charger. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that the guest tags stay in the deactivator bin the entire time including walking over to the chargers. There is a 20 second window to place the tags onto the charger after being removed from the deactivator bin. If this process isn’t followed, Ghosting will become a problem.
The best way to resolve Ghosting is to follow the procedures of returning the guest tags to the charger.
Proper Procedures for Ghosting Prevention
- Bring the guest tags to the deactivator bin when the food has been delivered to the customer.
- Once the basket is full, walk with the guest tags INSIDE the basket over to the charger.
- Put the guest tags onto the charger.
- Walk the deactivator basket back over by the food runner station.
If these procedures are followed, you should not experience Ghosting.