Table Tracking Database Installation

Description

This document provides information which will assist in the setting up of a Table Tracking Database to ensure it operates as expected.

To Be Considered

Global Tables - This is when different Locations in a Business/Venue share a single Table Tracking database. This allows for access to tables in SwiftPOS across multiple Locations. This feature is useful when customers seated in the bar while waiting for a table, wish to have their bar purchases moved onto their table so it can all be paid for when they are ready to leave. If this is a requirement of a site, then it must be considered when deciding the location and number of databases to be installed.

Do NOT connect to a Table Tracking Database over the internet. Table Maps are refreshed every 10 seconds to change the status on a table and this would create too much traffic over the internet. It should always be local to the site.

Pre-Requisites

Install SwiftPOS Touch.

Installation Checklist

The following checklist should be used to ensure a trouble free installation of the SwiftPOS Table Tracking Database.

Follow the steps in the order outlined below:

Ensure the Pre-Requisites above have been met.
Determine the location and number of Databases.
Create the Table Tracking Database.
Configure the Connection Setup.
Backup and Transfer to host PC/Servers.
Configure Windows Firewall Setup.
Configure SwiftPOS Touch.

Installation Guide

DETERMINE THE LOCATION AND NUMBER OF DATABASES

The first decision that needs to be made when setting up Table Tracking is to decide how many Table Tracking/remote order databases will be required and where they will be located. The best configuration should be decided after considering the size of the Business/Venue and the expected load on the Table Tracking database(s).

Single Business/Venue - Single Restaurant - In a single Business/Venue with a single restaurant the Table Tracking database can either be installed on the same host PC/Server as the SwiftPOS Back Office or on it's own dedicated Table Tracking PC/Server.
Single Business/Venue - Multiple Restaurants - In a single Business/Venue that has multiple restaurants the restaurants can either share a single Table Tracking database on a Table Tracking PC/Server, OR each have their own Table Tracking database on a single PC/Server, OR they can each have their own Table Tracking database on separate PC/Servers. Note : It is important to remember that if the restaurants do not share the same Table Tracking database they will not be able to interact with each other's tables.
Multi-Business/Venue - In a multi-Business/Venue setup, SwiftPOS Back Office would be installed at the head office and a separate Table Tracking database would need to be installed at each Location Group (Venue). When considering the requirements for each individual Business/Venue refer to the Single Business/Venue information above.

CREATE THE TABLE TRACKING DATABASE

Using New Table Tracking Database in the SQL Tools menu of the SwiftPOS Back Office, create the Table Tracking database on the SwiftPOS Back Office PC/Server.

CONFIGURE THE CONNECTION SETUP

Using Change Server/Database from the Main Menu screen select the Table Tracking Database Connection option to open the Connect to Server - Back Office screen and configure the SQL Server Connection to establish a connection to the SwiftPOS Back Office.

BACKUP AND TRANSFER TO HOST PC/SERVERS

Backup the configured Table Tracking Database created above.
Using the .ZIP file created by the Backup, transfer it to the host PC/Server(s) or SwiftPOS Touch terminal(s) that are going to host the Table Tracking databases. This would be required for multi-Businesses/Venues or for Businesses/Venues that are going to have multiple databases or for Businesses/Venues that will have a single database, but located on a dedicated PC/Server. Refer to the Determine the location and number of Databases step above.

Note : Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition will need to be installed on the host PC/Server(s) or SwiftPOS Touch terminal(s) that are going to host the Table Tracking databases.

CONFIGURE WINDOWS FIREWALL SETUP

The following instructions explain how to add an exception to the Windows Firewall so that SQL Server will be accessible from other networked PCs.

Note : If a 3rd party Firewall application is being used on the SQL Server host PC/Server or SwiftPOS Touch terminal, then consult that 3rd party's documentation to configure an exception.

At the windows desktop press the Start button then select Control Panel.
Double click the Windows Firewall icon.
Click the Exceptions tab then press Add Program.

Browse to the SQL Server executable which is located at C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe by default.
Select Change Scope once the correct file path has been set.

To allow access from any computer including those over the internet click the first radio box, otherwise click the second radio box to only allow access from computers on the same subnet.
Select OK to save the changes and close windows firewall.

CONFIGURE SWIFTPOS TOUCH

Start SwiftPOS Touch on the SwiftPOS Touch terminal that will be assigned the Table Tracking Master terminal for the selected Location.
Then navigate to the Table Tracking - Main Settings Tab and select the Connection Setup button to open the Connect to Server screen and configure the SQL Server Connection to establish a connection to the Table Tracking database.
Select the Table Number Ranges button and setup the table ranges for each Location.
Select the Table Tracking Visible Locations button and setup the visible Locations for the SwiftPOS Touch terminal.
Configure the remaining settings on the Table Tracking - Main Settings Tab as required then press OK.