What We Built?
A real-time queue monitoring and alert system
Goal
To develop an innovative queue management system designed to streamline supermarket operations and improve customer experience.
- Alerts employees proactively when queues become crowded
- Enables efficient staff deployment based on real-time queue data
- Enhances customer experience by reducing waiting times
This system also utilizes smartwatches to notify employees about queue buildups in specific sections like fish or meat.
Challenge
Developing a system that effectively bridges the gap between real-time queue data and employee notification on smartwatches. The project involved:
- Implementing a reliable queue monitoring mechanism
- Defining clear thresholds for triggering alerts based on waiting time or the number of people waiting
- Integrating with smartwatches for real-time employee notification
Solution
Web Application
This user-friendly interface allows supermarket managers to configure alert triggers for queue buildups. Managers can choose to be alerted based on:
- Waiting Time per Customer: Set a threshold waiting time. If a customer exceeds this time, an alert is triggered
- Number of People Waiting: Set a limit for the number of customers in a queue. When the number surpasses the limit, an alert is triggered
Real-Time Monitoring & Alerting:
- A cron job running in the background periodically checks the current state of queues
- If the configured thresholds are exceeded (waiting time is too long or too many people waiting), the system triggers an alert notification.
- These notifications are then sent to employee smartwatches, promptly informing them of queue congestion in specific sections.
Skills
JavaScript, TypeScript, Vue.js, Node.js, ExpressJS, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Result
This innovative queue management system offers several benefits for supermarkets:
- Reduced Customer Waiting Times: By proactively addressing queue buildups, employees can be directed to congested areas, allowing them to expedite customer service and minimize waiting times
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Shorter queues lead to a more positive customer experience, encouraging repeat business and customer loyalty
- Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Supermarket managers gain valuable insights into queue patterns, allowing them to optimize staffing and resource allocation for improved overall efficiency
- Scalable Solution: The system can be easily scaled to accommodate additional departments or multiple store locations
This real-time queue monitoring system empowers supermarkets to streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and gain a competitive edge
