Kitchen Display System (KDS)
The Kitchen Display System (KDS) is a dedicated mode within the OMS app built specifically for kitchen staff. It strips away the business logic — no order acceptance, no payment handling, no refunds — and focuses entirely on what the kitchen needs: what to cook and when it's done.
Who Uses KDS?
KDS is designed for Kitchen Staff members who have been invited by the business owner through BMS with the Kitchen Staff role. When a Kitchen Staff member logs into OMS, they see the KDS interface automatically.
The mode you see in OMS is determined by the role the business owner assigned you. Order Managers see the full Order Manager view. Kitchen Staff see the KDS view. You don't need to switch modes manually.
What the KDS Shows
The KDS interface is intentionally simple. It presents a clear view of the work that needs to be done:
Order Queue
Orders appear in the queue as soon as an Order Manager accepts them. Each order card shows:
- Order number for quick reference
- Dining method (dine-in, takeaway, or delivery) so staff can prioritize and plate accordingly
- Time elapsed since the order was accepted, helping the kitchen stay on track with prep time estimates
- All items in the order with quantities and any customizations or special notes
Items to Prepare
Each order card lists every item that needs to be prepared, including:
- Item name and quantity
- Selected customizations (e.g., "No onions", "Extra cheese", "Large size")
- Special instructions or notes added by the Order Manager
This level of detail ensures the kitchen team knows exactly what to make without needing to ask questions or check a separate system.
Marking Cooking Progress
The primary action in KDS is marking cooking as done. When all items in an order have been prepared:
- Find the order in the queue.
- Tap Cooking Done (or the equivalent action button).
- The order moves out of the kitchen queue and advances to the next stage in the order lifecycle.
The Order Manager will see the order move to the Cooking Done status on their side, and they can then package it and move it to Ready for Pickup.
During high-volume service, work through the order queue from top to bottom. The oldest orders appear first, helping you maintain a first-in, first-out flow and keeping wait times consistent.
What KDS Does Not Include
KDS is deliberately limited in scope. Kitchen Staff using KDS cannot:
| Action | Available in KDS? | Who Handles It? |
|---|---|---|
| Accept or reject incoming orders | No | Order Manager |
| Set prep times | No | Order Manager |
| Change payment or dining method | No | Order Manager |
| Cancel orders | No | Order Manager |
| Process refunds | No | Order Manager |
| Manage stock availability | No | Order Manager |
| Override menu pricing | No | Order Manager |
This separation keeps the kitchen interface clean and focused. Kitchen staff don't need to worry about payments, refunds, or business decisions — they see what needs to be cooked and mark it done.
Why Use KDS?
Using KDS for your kitchen team offers several practical benefits:
- Reduced distractions — Kitchen staff see only what's relevant to cooking, nothing else.
- Clear accountability — The Order Manager handles all customer-facing decisions. The kitchen handles preparation.
- Real-time sync — As soon as the kitchen marks an order as done, the Order Manager sees the update. No verbal handoffs or paper tickets needed.
- Works on any device — KDS runs in the same OMS app, so kitchen staff can use a phone mounted near the prep station or a tablet on the kitchen wall.
KDS is a read-heavy interface by design. Most of the time, kitchen staff are reading the order queue. The only write action is marking orders as "Cooking Done." This keeps the experience fast and straightforward, even during the busiest service hours.