Skip to Content
📘Help ManualRS KDS

RS KDS

1 Introduction

What is an RS KDS? Guide to Your Kitchen Display Systems

A Kitchen Display System (KDS) is the digital command center for your kitchen. It seamlessly integrates with your POS and online ordering channels, instantly transforming orders into clear, actionable tickets. With features like colour-coded prioritisation and step-by-step tracking, it empowers your team to streamline workflows, accelerate service, and turn valuable preparation data into continuous operational improvement.

💡

KEY TERMS:

  • KDS (Kitchen Display System): A digital system aiding kitchen workflow management.

  • POS System: The system used by front-end staff to process customer orders.

  • BO (Back Office): The administrative interface for managing restaurant operations.

2 Module Business Value & Product Management Features

2.1 Module Business Value

2.1.1 Core Value: Enhance Kitchen Operational Efficiency

The core value of KDS lies in connecting front-end orders with back-end kitchen preparation, replacing traditional paper tickets with digital processes to enhance both output efficiency and quality control.

  • Real-Time Order Sync: Orders from the front desk are immediately displayed on kitchen screens, eliminating paper ticket handling and reducing errors.
  • Visualized Workflow: Chefs can see order priorities, time limits, and ingredient requirements directly on the screen, minimizing verification time and shortening preparation cycles.
  • Controlled Output Pace: Orders can be organized by table, order time, or dish type, helping kitchens manage order flow and avoid chaos from accumulated orders.

2.1.2 Key Value: Quality Control and Management

Beyond efficiency, KDS provides data support for restaurant management, helping improve dish quality and operational decision-making.

  • Standardized Procedures: Screens can display preparation steps and ingredient quantities, reducing variability due to chefs’ differing experiences.
  • Operational Data Analysis: The system records preparation times and serving efficiencies, helping managers identify inefficiencies.
  • Cost and Waste Management: By tracking order data and ingredient usage, restaurants can optimize inventory and reduce waste.

2.1.3 Extended Value: Customer Experience Optimization

Efficient kitchen operations enhance customer dining experiences, indirectly boosting brand competitiveness.

  • Standardized Procedures: Consistent preparation reduces flavor variability.
  • Reduced Order Errors: Digital order transmission significantly lowers the chances of incorrect or missed orders, reducing communication costs and disputes with customers.

2.2 Product Management Features

2.2.1 Order Management: Precise Sync and Dynamic Scheduling

This is the most basic management feature of the KDS system, addressing issues with traditional paper tickets and information sync.

  • Real-Time Sync: Orders from the POS or online platforms instantly transmit to kitchen stations without delay or omission.
  • Intelligent Sorting: Orders can be sorted automatically by “Order Time,” “Table Number,” or “Dish Preparation Time.”
  • Status Tracking: Orders can be manually or automatically updated with statuses like “Pending,” “In Progress,” “Completed,” and “Served.”

2.2.2 Process Management: Standardization and Visualization

Digital methods standardize kitchen processes, reducing human error and improving overall efficiency.

  • Standard Procedures: Screens can display preparation steps, ingredient amounts, and cooking durations to guide new chefs.
  • Station Coordination: Multi-station kitchens (e.g., hot, cold, main dishes) display relevant orders to avoid cross-station communication errors.
  • Exception Alerts: Orders exceeding preparation time trigger visual or auditory alerts to prevent long customer waits.

2.2.3 Data Management: Traceability and Decision Support

Unlike traditional management, KDS can store operational data, providing a basis for management optimization.

  • Data Recording: Automatically logs “Order Time,” “Preparation Duration,” and “Serving Time” for each order.
  • Report Generation: Export daily/weekly efficiency reports to identify inefficiencies.
  • Issue Traceability: Tracks order records to quickly resolve customer complaints about incorrect or missing dishes.

2.2.4 Permission Management: Clear Roles and Risk Control

Ensures system operations are standardized, preventing unauthorized personnel from disrupting kitchen workflows.

  • Role-Based Permissions: Different roles can be set, such as chefs viewing orders and updating statuses, kitchen managers modifying standards and viewing reports, and administrators configuring system parameters.
  • Operation Logging: Key operations leave a record of the operator and time for accountability.

3 Module Capabilities

3.1 How to Install and Activate❓

3.1.1 For Android System:

  1. Installation:
  • Download the Android installation package from the Restosuite website.
  • Select your region and choose the product as KDS.
  • During installation, when prompted to allow installation from unknown sources, click【Allow】to complete the installation process.
  1. Start Connection:
  • Open the application and select KDS. When prompted for authorization, choose【Agree to All】
  • If there are multiple KDS devices in the store, choose the one with the best performance as the KDS server. There must be one and only one KDS server per store.
  • Enter the corresponding store ID to quickly find the POS server address associated with the store.
  • If not found, you can manually enter the POS server address.
  1. Activation and Login:
  • Enter the activation code for the store to activate the device.
  • Once activation is complete, you can access the KDS login interface.
  • If the login screen does not prompt employee PIN entry and goes directly to the settings interface, you can check in the BO end under【Restaurant Management → Business Parameter → KDS Login-Free Use】to see if it is enabled.

3.1.2 For Windows System:

  1. Installation:
  • Download the Windows installation package from the Restosuite website
  • Select your region and choose the product as KDS
  • During installation, when prompted to allow installation from unknown sources, click【Allow】to complete the installation process
  1. Start Connection:
  • Open the installed application and first configure the KDS server (each store must have one and only one KDS server), connecting to the LocalServer address.
  • You can discover the LocalServer address (POS server address) through service discovery, or you can manually enter the server IP as a custom address.
  1. Activation and Login:
  • Enter the activation code for the store to activate the device.
  • Once activation is complete, you can access the KDS login interface.
  • If the login screen does not prompt employee PIN entry and goes directly to the settings interface, you can check in the BO end under【Restaurant Management → Business Parameter → KDS Login-Free Use】to see if it is enabled.

3.2 How to Receive Ordered Items❓

Step 1: On the BO end, navigate to【Items Management】page. You can configure the production department for items when you【edit】or【add】new items.

Step 2: POS Setting

On the POS system, 【Setting → General Settings → KDS】enable the KDS switch

Step 3: KDS Setting

On the KDS system, you can select the dishes department

3.3 How to Configure and Use the KDS❓

3.3.1 Basic Settings

Configuration Item

Options/Description

Enable

Disable

Site Settings > Screen Type

  1. Side Dish Screen
  2. Production Screen
  3. Expedite screen
  1. Configure the screen type of the current screen after selection

Site Settings > Display Timing

  1. Display by Process
  2. Display on All Screens upon Order & No Linkage in Different Stages
  1. Dishes flow in the order of screen types
  2. No linkage between different screen types, dish marking on each screen is not affected

Order Settings > Department Selection

Multiple Selection：

  1. Drinks
  2. Main Courses
  3. Side Dishes
  1. Select the dish production department, stall

Order Settings > Order Type

  1. Dine-in
  2. Take out
  3. Pickup
  1. Dishes of the corresponding order type are displayed on this screen
  1. Dishes of the corresponding order type are not displayed on this screen

Order Settings > Screen Filter

Switch

  1. After enabling, you can globally filter orders or dishes that fully match the dish group
  1. This function does not take effect

Order Settings > Side Dish Output

  1. Side dishes are displayed by the production department
  2. Side dishes are split from the main dish and displayed as individual dishes, and the main dish is also split from the side dishes and displayed individually
  1. Side dishes are displayed on the corresponding screen according to their production department
  2. Side dishes are promoted to individual dishes and displayed separately
  1. The two switches are mutually exclusive

Order Settings > Table Area

Switch

  1. After enabling, the current screen only receives orders or dishes in the table area
  1. This function does not take effect when disabled

Dish Settings > Click Mode

  1. Single-click to mark dishes
  1. Single-click to mark dishes
  1. Double-click to mark dishes

Dish Settings > Dish Marking

  1. Entire row marking
  2. Enable partial marking
  3. Select one dish at a time + Long press to select dishes in batchees
  1. Single-click/double-click to mark one row at a time
  2. Single-click/double-click to prompt the number of dishes to mark
  3. Single-click/double-click to mark one dish at a time, long press to mark the quantity

Dish Settings > Select Marking

Dish Settings > Order Marking (Order Mode)

  1. Confirmation pop-up is required for whole order marking
  1. Click to mark the whole order to trigger a confirmation pop-up
  1. No confirmation pop-up prompt

Dish Settings > Marking Tip

  1. Disable marking success prompt
  1. No marking success prompt after enabling
  1. There is a marking success prompt

Dish Settings > Withdrawal Settings

  1. After the whole order is served, individual dishes are not allowed to be withdrawn
  2. Enable the marked dish list
  1. After enabling, the whole order cannot be withdrawn after marking in the entire process
  2. The withdrawal button displays the marked dish list
  1. The whole order can be withdrawn after marking
  2. The withdrawal button is to withdraw the last marking

3.3.2 Display Settings

Configuration Item

Options/Description

Enable

Disable

Page Icon

  1. Template 1 (Pattern)
  2. Template 2 (Text)
  1. Display the corresponding identifier according to the pattern
  2. Display the corresponding identifier according to the text

Item Colors

  1. Font color of all dishes on the screen
  2. Font color of dishes marked as completed on this screen
  3. Font color of dishes that do not disappear after marking
  4. Font color of dishes with taste and preparation method
  5. Font color of remarks
  6. Custom dish color (after enabling the configuration, you can customize the font color of dishes on the page)
  1. After enabling, the corresponding dish color on the screen is displayed according to the configuration
  1. Display according to the default dish font color when disabled

Guest Count

Switch

  1. Display the number of diners on the page after enabling
  1. Do not display the number of diners when disabled

Display Code Configuration

  1. Table Number
  2. Pickup Number
  3. Ticket Number
  1. Display after configuration, default display of table number + pickup number
  1. The configuration does not take effect when disabled, and the default display is used

Order Sorting Rule

  1. Delivery Top
  2. Pickup Top
  3. Urgent Orders on Top
  4. Additional Orders on Top
  1. Dishes with the corresponding identifier are displayed at the top after enabling
  1. This function does not take effect when disabled

Flicker Seconds

Configuration

  1. Configure to control the blinking seconds of the card header for message notifications such as dish return
  1. Default 10s

Blinking Disappearance
Flash disappear

  1. Void
  2. Fire
  3. Move Table
  4. Move Item
  1. The dish status is updated automatically after blinking is enabled
  1. Manual click confirmation is required when disabled

Card Display

  1. Taste and Preparation Method
  2. Side Dishes
  3. Remarks
  1. Display the card after enabling
  1. Do not display when disabled

Merge Display

  1. Single-line Display of Taste and Preparation Method
  2. Remark Scroll Display
  1. Multiple taste and preparation methods are displayed in a single line after enabling
  2. Remarks exceeding 2 lines are displayed in a fixed 2-line scrolling manner after enabling
  1. Each taste and preparation method occupies one line when disabled
  2. All remarks are displayed directly when disabled

Replenish Enabled

Switch

  1. After enabling, there will be a supplement button on the KDS screen, you can supplement the number of dishes, the dish name will be displayed, which does not affect the order and inventory data, and the report has supplement statistics. This function is often used in industries such as dumplings
  1. This function does not take effect when disabled

Number Calling for Pickup

Switch

  1. After enabling, you need to install the number calling screen APP first, and clicking the number calling button will trigger the dual-meal broadcast of number calling
  1. Does not take effect when disabled

Table Transfer

Switch

  1. After enabling, the table transfer button will be displayed on the page, and table transfer can be operated before the table order is settled
  1. Not displayed on the home page when disabled

Order Center

Switch

  1. After enabling, the order button will be displayed on the page, and table transfer can be operated for both settled and unsettled orders
  1. Not displayed on the home page when disabled

Text Size

  1. Small
  2. Medium
  3. Large
  4. Extra Large
  5. Super Large
  1. The screen font size is displayed corresponding to the selected configuration

Screen Mode

  1. Order Mode
  2. Dish Mode
  3. Fixed Column Dish Mode
  4. Fixed Row Dish Mode
  5. Dish Grab Mode
  1. The entire order is on the same card
  2. Each dish is on one card
  3. Fixed column style lane can be configured
  4. Fixed row style lane can be configured
  5. Table display mode

Dish Configuration > Mode Type

  1. Original Dish Quantity
  2. Dish Split
  3. Dish Merge (Dish Mode)
  1. The displayed dish quantity follows the order2. The displayed dish quantity is split into 1 and displayed one by one3. The same dishes are merged and displayed together with the total merged quantity

Dish Configuration > Combo Logic

Set meal header is not displayed for set meals

  1. The set meal header is not displayed after enabling, and the set meal sub-dishes are displayed separately
  1. The set meal is displayed together with the set meal header when disabled

Fixed Row and Column Settings

  1. x columns can be displayed here, dishes will be displayed in the order of order placement time
  2. You can fix the displayed dishes by setting fixed columns
  1. The number of rows and columns can be configured for display
  2. Lanes and dishes in the lanes can be configured

Default

Row & Column Settings

  1. Number of Displayed Columns
  2. Number of Displayed Rows
  1. Can be configured with 2~5 columns
  2. Can be configured with 1~4 rows

Fixed Lane Configuration

  1. Add Column
  2. Add Lane
  1. Configure column names and column reception meal types
  2. Configure lane dishes

Height Type

  1. Non-fixed Height
  2. Fixed Height
  1. Flow layout displays one by one
  2. Card fixed height display

Fixed Height

  1. Can be configured with 1 column and 1~8 rows
  2. Order cards in fixed height mode are expanded by default
  1. Display according to the configured height
  2. The part exceeding the card is expanded by default after enabling
  1. Display according to the configured height
  2. The part exceeding the card needs to be expanded manually when disabled

Dish Merge

  1. Only merge dish names, dining method, specification, side dish remarks, etc. are not involved in merging
  2. Only merge dish specifications3. Merge orders received within a few minutes
  1. Merge as long as the dishes are the same after enabling
  2. Dishes with the same specifications are merged together after enabling
  3. Merge according to the order placement time within a time period after enabling
  1. Does not take effect when disabled
  2. Does not take effect when disabled
  3. Does not take effect when disabled

Merge Detail Logic

  1. The details of merged dishes are displayed by dish split
  1. Display by split after enabling
  1. Display by original quantity when disabled

Follow Main Dish to Place Order and Display on Main Dish Lane

Switch

  1. After enabling, side dishes are displayed on the main dish lane when ordered together with the main dish, and displayed on their own lane when ordered separately
  1. Display on their own lane when ordered together with the main dish when disabled

Dish Split Settings

Configuration

  1. Dishes with configured split rules are split, and dishes without configuration are not split
  1. Default all split

Unfinished Dishes Summary

Switch

  1. Upon activation, the right side of the screen displays the total count of all unfinished dishes.
  1. Disabled by default

Timeout Settings > Timeout Reminder Type

  1. Uniform Timeout Setting - Calculated from Dish Display on Screen
  2. Dish Preparation Time - Calculated from Dish Display on Screen
  3. Uniform Dish Timeout Setting - Calculated from the Completion of the Previous Process
  1. Calculate timeout time based on screen display time
  2. Calculate timeout time based on screen display time plus the configured dish preparation time
  3. Calculate timeout time based on the current screen display time

3.3.3 Sound Settings

Configuration Item

Options/Description

Enable

Disable

New Order Sound

Configuration + Switch

  1. Optional sound configuration prompt tone, prompt accordingly after enabling
  1. No prompt when disabled

Next Screen Marking Sound

Configuration + Switch

  1. Optional sound configuration prompt tone, prompt accordingly after enabling
  1. No prompt when disabled

Yellow Timeout Alert

Configuration + Switch

  1. Optional sound configuration prompt tone, prompt accordingly after enabling
  1. No prompt when disabled

Red Timeout Alert

Configuration + Switch

  1. Optional sound configuration prompt tone, prompt accordingly after enabling
  1. No prompt when disabled

Current Screen Marking Sound

Configuration + Switch

  1. Optional sound configuration prompt tone, prompt accordingly after enabling
  1. No prompt when disabled

Void item Sound

Configuration + Switch

  1. Optional sound configuration prompt tone, prompt accordingly after enabling
  1. No prompt when disabled

Other Sound

Configuration + Switch

  1. Optional sound configuration prompt tone, prompt accordingly after enabling
  1. No prompt when disabled

Broadcast Frequency

If there is a new trigger within the configured time period, it will not be re-broadcast

  1. Do not re-broadcast within the configured time

3.3.4 Printer Settings

Configuration Item

Options/Description

Enable

Disable

Choose a Printer

Configuration

  1. Can configure local printer
  2. Can configure network printer

Print Receipts

  1. Production Order Receipt
  2. Expedite Receipt
  3. Customer bill
  4. Item Label
  1. Print related documents after checking
  1. Do not print related documents after unchecking

Print Language

Configuration

  1. Configure the print language, which needs to match the print template

Non-printable Order Type

  1. Dine-in
  2. Takeaway
  3. Self-pickup
  1. Do not print after checking
  1. Print normally if not checked

Print Using Graphics

  1. Print Using Graphics
  1. Use image printing after enabling
  1. Default normal printing when disabled

3.3.5 Cloud Scheme

Configuration Item

Options/Description

Enable

Sync Local Scheme to Cloud

  1. Upload & Update Cloud Scheme
  2. Upload & Create Cloud Scheme
  1. If the cloud scheme is used, the cloud scheme can be updated
  2. If the local scheme is used, it can be uploaded to the cloud

Select Cloud Scheme

  1. Select KDS Scheme to Apply Locally
  1. Can use the uploaded cloud scheme

3.3.6 Settings Bar

Configuration Item

Options/Description

Enable

Information Display

  1. Store Name
  2. Site Name
  3. Device ID
  4. Server
  5. LocalServer
  6. Version
  7. IP Address
  8. Local Server

Language Switch

Language files supported by the store

  1. Switch language

Background Color Switch

  1. Dark
  2. Light
  1. Switch theme color

Screen Merge Mode

Configuration

  1. Can select devices screens of the same stage to merge

3.4 How to Configure and Use Order Number Calling for Pickup❓

  • Calling Screen Settings: On the BO end, navigate【Restaurant Management → Calling Screen】
  • There are two KDS call-out rules:
    • Automatic call-out：Automatically call out after the entire process and dish marking are completed
    • Manual call-out: Enable the【Call number to pick up meal】button. Click the【call-out】button on the dish card to announce the order.

3.5 How to Configure and Use the Print Function❓

Step 1:

On the BO end, navigate to【Restaurant Management → Receipt Template】page, after selecting the receipt type, click【Add Receipt Template】in the upper right corner of the page.

You can customize and configure templates for kitchen tickets, transfer menus, and other receipt templates.

Step 2: KDS Configuration

On the KDS【Settings → Printer Setup】page:

  • Choose a Printer (Required)

  • Select Print receipt types: Kitchen Order Receipt /transfer Dish Receipt (Required)

  • Select Print Language (Required)

  • Set Non-printing Order Types/Enable Image Printing (Optional)

  • KDS Printing Rules:

    • Trigger Condition: Marking a dish prepared (order bump)
    • Production Receipt: One per dish (default)
    • Transfer Dish Receipt: One consolidated ticket per order
    • First-Dish Rule: Printing the full transfer dish receipt when the first dish is marked
  • KDS Reprinting

On【Completed Orders】page, Click【Re-Print】button to reprint the order receipt

3.6 How to Configure the KDS for Login-Free Operation❓

On the BO end, navigate to 【Restaurant Management → Business Parameters → Kitchen Setting】, turn on the【KDS Login-free Use】switch.

3.7 How to Configure KDS User Accounts and Permissions❓

Step 1:

From the store’s perspective on the BO end, navigate to the【Basic Services → Role Management】page. Here, you can view the system’s “Kitchen Manager” role, which has all KDS permissions by default. You can also create new custom roles and configure their permissions as needed.

Step 2:

In the【Basic Services】→【Employee Accounts】page, you can batch assign roles to employees.

3.8 How to Configure and Use Solution Uploading and Distribution❓

Step 1:

On the KDS【Settings】page, after completing the configuration, select【Upload & Create Cloud Scheme】

💡

Note: The KDS login account requires plan upload/distribution permissions (which can be set through employee roles).

Step 2:

On the BO system, from the group perspective, go to the【Restaurant Management → Kitchen Management → KDS Configuration Share】page. In the list, select the plan that was uploaded locally and click【Distribute】to send it to the target stores.

Step 3:

After distribution, on the KDS side, click【Settings → Select Cloud Scheme】and choose the appropriate cloud plan from the list. Then click 【Confirm】 to complete the application.

3.9 How to Configure Items That Do Not Require Marking as Completed❓

On the BO end, under【Restaurant Management → Business Parameter → Kitchen Setting】, select and configure the dishes and categories that do not require marking as served.

Last updated on:
集团管理RS Handheld Ordering