Who is this for?
StoreHub merchants using the POS system in F&B or retail environments who want to set up and use a Number Calling System (NCS) to manage customer queues and order pickups.
Overview
This guide will show you how to set up and use your Number Calling System (NCS). You'll learn how to connect the Mi TV Stick to your TV, install the NCS app, pair it with your StoreHub POS, choose the sound that plays when an order is ready, set how long Ready numbers stay on screen, and understand its features to improve customer communication and order flow.
Before You Begin
You must have an active KDS & NCS license for your store. (Refer to 'How to Activate and Manage Your KDS and NCS Licenses').
You need a TV with an 'HDMI port' and a 'Mi TV Stick'.
Your Mi TV Stick and StoreHub POS register must be connected to the same local network (Wi-Fi).
The Number Calling System only supports 'Pay Now' orders.
The NCS app must be launched on the Mi TV Stick device for the POS register to detect it.
To use everything in this article, keep your NCS app on version 1.9.0 or later and StoreHub POS on version 1.121.0 or later. Calling numbers from the Expo Display also needs KDS 1.13.0 or later.
What is a Number Calling System (NCS)?
The Number Calling System (NCS) helps you communicate order statuses to your customers. It displays order numbers or table numbers on a TV screen, letting customers know when their order is 'Preparing' or 'Ready' for pickup. It can also read the ready number out loud.
What You'll Need:
A TV with an 'HDMI Port'
A 'Mi TV Stick'
Step-by-Step Guide
Set Up Your Mi TV Stick
The Mi TV Stick converts your regular TV into an Android TV, allowing it to run the NCS app.
1. Plug the 'Mi TV Stick' into your TV's 'HDMI port'.
2. On your TV, switch the input source to the 'HDMI' port where the Mi TV Stick is connected.
Note:
You could refer to this YouTube video for a simple guide.
3. Follow the on-screen steps on your TV to set up the Mi TV Stick:
Select your preferred 'Language'.
Select your 'Region'.
Skip setting up TV with Android (if prompted).
Select and connect to your 'WiFi Network'.
Note:
Please select the same network as your POS Register.
Sign in to your 'Google Account'.
Accept 'Terms of Service'.
Choose 'Yes' or 'No' for 'Location' services.
Choose 'Yes' or 'No' to 'Help improve Android'.
Select 'Continue' on 'Google Assistant'.
Select 'Continue' on 'Services and your privacy'.
Select 'No thanks' to get personal results.
Unselect any additional apps you don't want to install, then select 'Continue'.
Continue with any remaining setup steps until you reach the Mi TV Stick homepage.
Install the Number Calling System App on Mi TV Stick
1. On the Mi TV Stick homepage, select the 'Google Play Store' app.
2. In the 'Google Play Store', search for 'StoreHub Number Calling System'.
3. Select 'Download' to install the app.
4. Once the app is downloaded, launch the 'StoreHub Number Calling System' app on the Mi TV Stick.
Until you pair it, the app shows 'Device is not connected to POS'. This is normal.
Connect NCS to Your POS Register
1. On your main StoreHub POS register, go to 'Settings'. Then tap 'Number Calling System'.
2. Tap 'Search for Number Calling Systems' at the bottom of the screen.
3. Your NCS device (Mi TV Stick) will appear in the list. Tap 'Pair' next to its name.
Note:
The Number Calling System app must be launched on the Number Calling System device for the POS register to detect the device.
When it connects, a message shows 'Connected to' and the name of your NCS.
Ensure you also connect to the Kitchen Display System (KDS), for all devices to function together seamlessly.
Notes:
Ensure that all devices are connected to the same WiFi network.
If your POS register is an iPad, make sure to allow Local Network Settings.
To rename your NCS, tap its name, edit the name and tap 'Save'.
To use a different device as your NCS, tap 'Remove', then tap 'Search for Number Calling Systems' again.
Choose What Plays When an Order Is Ready
The NCS can play a chime, read the order number out loud, or stay silent when an order moves to 'Ready'. You set this on the NCS, not on the POS.
1. On the NCS screen, select the 'Settings' icon (the gear) at the top right. Use your TV remote to move, then press 'OK' to select.
2. Select 'Announcement'.
3. Under 'When an order is ready', choose 1 option:
'Chime + number': the chime, then the number read out twice
'Chime only': the chime, without the number
'Silent': nothing is played
4. Select 'Play a sample' to hear what your customers will hear.
Notes:
The sound uses your TV's volume. There is no volume control in the NCS app.
After your NCS updates to version 1.9.0, it keeps playing 'Chime only' until you choose another option.
Set How Long Ready Numbers Stay on Screen
Ready numbers clear from the NCS screen by themselves. You set how long they stay on your POS, not on the NCS.
1. On your StoreHub POS register, go to 'Settings', then tap 'Number Calling System'.
2. Under 'Display', tap 'Ready number display duration'.
3. Choose 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes. The default is 15 minutes.
Notes:
Your NCS keeps 1 duration. If you change it on any POS register, the latest change applies.
A number may stay up to about 1 minute longer than the time you set.
Orders in 'Preparing' are not affected.
Don't see this setting? Update your StoreHub POS app.
Choose When Numbers Are Called
By default, a number shows as ready on the NCS as soon as the kitchen bumps every item. With KDS 1.13.0 or later and StoreHub POS 1.121.0 or later, counter staff can call each number from the Expo Display instead.
1. On your StoreHub POS register, go to 'Settings', then tap 'Number Calling System'.
2. Under 'Call Number', select 'Manually from the Expo Display'.
To learn how staff call numbers and confirm pickup, see 'Call Order Numbers from the Expo Display' in How to Set Up and Use Your Kitchen Display System (KDS).
Number Calling System Functionality
The NCS displays order numbers or table numbers to your customers. The type of number displayed depends on your 'Additional Checkout Options' in your BackOffice:
Assign table number at checkout
You will have a free text option on the POS to type in a table number or customer's name.
Auto-generate queue number
The order number will start from 1 and reset once it reaches 99.
When an order is placed on the POS register, its status will update on both the Kitchen Display System (if used) and the Number Calling System.
Order Statuses
There are two main statuses displayed on the NCS:
1. Preparing
When an order is newly created, its order ID will appear under the 'Preparing' column.
2. Ready
Once items within an order are marked as prepared on the Kitchen Display System (KDS), the order ID will move to the 'Ready' column on the NCS. If your POS calls numbers from the Expo Display (KDS 1.13.0 or later and StoreHub POS 1.121.0 or later), the order ID moves to 'Ready' only when staff tap 'Call'. If the Expo Display uses 'Confirm pickup', the number leaves the NCS as soon as staff tap 'Collected'.
Note:
Order IDs will vary depending on which platform the order was made from:
Beep Order: 0001
Beep Takeaway Order: TA-001
Pre Order:
Food Panda: FP01
Shopee Food: SP01
Order Ready Notification System
When an order is ready:
1. The order ID will move from the 'Preparing' column to the 'Ready' column.
2. The NCS plays the sound you chose under 'Announcement'.
The latest ready number shows large on an orange panel at the top of the 'Ready' column, so customers can spot it from far away.
3. The number stays on the orange panel until the next number is called, or until the order leaves 'Ready'.
Notes:
With 'Chime + number', if several orders become ready at the same time, the NCS calls them 1 at a time, oldest first.
Ready numbers clear by themselves after the time set on your POS. See 'Set How Long Ready Numbers Stay on Screen'.
Setup Recommendations
Here are some recommendations for setting up your NCS based on your business type:
Quick Serve Restaurants (QSR)
Description: QSRs focus on speed, convenience, and affordability, serving customers quickly through dine-in, takeaway, or delivery.
NCS Recommendation: We highly recommend setting up a Number Calling System in your QSR. This works perfectly with an Expo Display KDS (see KDS setup guide) to call customers when their food is fully prepared. With KDS 1.13.0 or later and StoreHub POS 1.121.0 or later, staff can also call each number from the Expo Display. This setup ensures faster service and clear communication, reducing customer wait times and confusion.
Full-Service Dining Restaurants
Description: These restaurants offer a complete dining experience with seated guests and attentive waitstaff.
NCS Recommendation:
For full-service dining, an NCS is generally less critical than for QSRs, as waitstaff typically deliver orders directly to tables.
However, if you offer a pickup option (e.g., for takeaway orders placed online), an NCS can still be useful to notify customers when their takeaway orders are ready.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Solution |
Can't Find Your Number Calling System Device | 1. Ensure your Mi TV Stick and POS register are connected to the same local network (Wi-Fi).
2. Verify that the 'StoreHub Number Calling System' app is launched and running on your Mi TV Stick.
3. Restart both the Mi TV Stick and the POS register.
4. Verify that your NCS license is active in the BackOffice and your POS has synced.
Refer to 'How to Activate and Manage Your KDS and NCS Licenses'. |
NCS is connected but not updating order statuses. | 1. Ensure your POS device has successfully synced with the BackOffice after activating the NCS license.
2. Confirm that the Number Calling System only supports 'Pay Now' orders. 'Pay Later' or other order types will not appear.
3. If using KDS, ensure orders are being marked as 'Bumped' or 'Bump all' on the KDS, as this triggers the status change on NCS.
If 'Call Number' on your POS is set to 'Manually from the Expo Display', staff must also tap 'Call' on the Expo Display.
4. Restart both the Mi TV Stick and the POS register. |
FAQs
1. Will there be a notification sound when an order is ready?
Yes. You choose what plays: 'Chime + number' (the chime, then the number read out twice), 'Chime only', or 'Silent'. On the NCS, go to 'Settings', then 'Announcement'. The sound uses your TV's volume. There is no volume control in the NCS app.
2. Does NCS support open orders & open prices?
No, NCS does not support open orders or open prices, but KDS does.
3. How long do Ready numbers stay on the NCS screen?
Ready numbers clear by themselves after the time set on your POS: 5, 10, 15 (default) or 30 minutes. To change it, on your POS go to 'Settings', tap 'Number Calling System', then tap 'Ready number display duration'.
4. What devices are compatible with NCS?
NCS is compatible with Android TVs (Android 6 and above, recommended size 42 inches or larger). If an Android TV is unavailable, a Xiaomi TV stick can be used to convert the TV into an Android TV.
5. What are the different NCS order statuses?
Preparing Order: When an order is placed on POS and pushed to KDS.
Ready Order: When the kitchen bumps every item in the order. If your POS calls numbers from the Expo Display, this happens when staff tap 'Call'.
Need Help?
Contact StoreHub Support via live chat in your StoreHub app or email [email protected].
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