Tablets a la mode: Computing in restaurants

Just as tablet computers are causing many retailers to consider new ways to incorporate the technology into their operations, so too are the devices convincing restaurants to adjust their practices.

There are many potential uses for tablets in the restaurant industry. One of the more popular early trends is to use tablets as menus and, sometimes, as the waiters themselves.

According to a USA Today report, several restaurants in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and elsewhere are employing this practice. Customers can use tablets set up on the table or near the ordering counter to choose ingredients, select drink options and complete their orders. This makes the ordering process more accurate, as it all but removes the chance of human error.

Tablet-based menus can also be used to provide customers with more details about certain dishes. Not as restricted by space as paper menus, tablets could allow customers to click on items they are interested in, which would pull up everything from ingredients to nutritional information about a dish, as well as recommended wines or side items.

The presence of tablets in restaurants is still new and is more of a marketing ploy at the moment. Moving forward, though, tablets could eventually become a staple in the dining experience.