This setting allow clerks to assign a table number to orders as well as keeping the orders open in the touchscreen so that they can be edited before it is tendered for payment. Customers may add items to their order or "tab" as in a restaurant or bar, and have one bill at the end of their experience.
After a clerk logs into the touchscreen, they will be prompted to assign a table number or ID. Table ID's are user-defined and may be up to four alphanumeric characters in length. The system will accept any four characters entered. This can be helpful when a winery has multiple tasting areas for example, and an alpha prefix is used to identify numbered tables in these areas. For example, P01 and P02 where "P" might mean tables 1 and 2 on the Patio. Or T01 and T02 where "T" could mean tables 1 and 2 on the Terrace.
See TAB MODE Config Options: PSTABCTL for details concerning user-defined settings that control printing, a pre-authorization percentage amount, and suppression of tip lines on output.
Once a table ID is entered, choose [Accept] and add products to the order as usual. When complete, choose [Tender Accept/Suspend] ...
... then select [Suspend Tab] to print a pre-receipt and keep the tab open.
The order is suspended as shown below. Clerks may now go back into that table as many times as necessary to make changes to the order.
Add items to order and either suspend tab again, close the tab, or tender for payment. In the example below, more items were added and the order was closed.
If using tips with your tab mode, using a credit card will send it for pre-authorization so that a receipt will print out with a tip line, the customer can add a tip, and the card can be sent for post authorization. If not using tips, the card will only need to be sent for approval one time.
To control tip collection see PSTABCTL
