Providing a new solution to an old problem, ReadyPing lets restaurants notify guests by text message when their table is ready. The system aims to improve on restaurant pagers, which require a substantial upfront investment plus maintenance costs, and have a limited range. Restaurants don't need to purchase new hardware to use ReadyPing; all that's required is an internet connection and a computer. ReadyPing charges a flat monthly fee of USD 35, which includes sending an unlimited number of 'pings'.
To use the system, hosts enter a party's name, number of guests, and their mobile number. When their table is available, the host clicks a button to send a customizable text message. Launched in January 2009, ReadyPing is currently only available in the United States, but it definitely has potential in other time-strapped parts of the world. Of course, there's no reason why similar systems couldn't be used by other types of businesses. One to brainstorm on? (Related: Subway launches food ordering via SMS.)
Website: www.readyping.com
Contact: www.readyping.com/about/contact-us
Spotted by: Judy McRae
This is not entirely a new idea. Major restaurants in India do the same for several yrs now. They infact give a personalised call to the client to inform them about readiness of their table. Regulars can expect some customized welcome drink or snack waiting at their table based on prior records.
The above charge is too high for a service like that in Asian countries. Might work well in West.
Very nice and simple idea.
I got the website and during my whole navigation i didnt see nothing saying that service only works in US !!!!