Due Time Overview and Usage on SkyTab POS

Description: Learn how to use the Due Time feature on SkyTab POS to schedule when orders should be ready, helping teams manage time-sensitive orders across POS, kitchen printers, and Kitchen Display Systems (KDS).

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Availability: Due Time is available for all SkyTab merchants running SkyTab POS version 1.123.0 or later.

For more information on manager controls, payment behavior, and Order Type settings related to Due Time, visit the Due Time Settings, Payments, and Manager Controls article.

Overview

The Due Time feature allows SkyTab POS users to assign a specific time when an order should be ready. This helps kitchen staff prioritize preparation, improves communication between front-of-house and back-of-house teams, and ensures orders are completed at the expected time.

Due Time can be displayed and managed across:

• SkyTab POS
• Kitchen printers
• Kitchen Display Systems (KDS)

This feature is commonly used for pickup, takeout, phone orders, and experience-based dining where precise timing is required.

When to Use Due Time

Use Due Time when:

• A guest requests an order at a specific time (for example, pickup or takeout)
• The kitchen needs visibility into time-sensitive orders

Setting a Due Time on a Ticket

A Due Time can be set on any open ticket, regardless of Order Type.

1. Open the ticket on SkyTab POS.
2. Tap the kebab menu (⋮) on the open ticket.
3. Select Due Time.
   
4. Configure the Due Time using one of the following options:
   • Select a preset increment (+5 min, +10 min, +30 min, +1 hour).
   • Enter an exact time.
   • Tap Round Up to the Hour.
   • Tap Set Time to Now.
5. Tap Set Due Time to save.
   

If no time is selected, Due Time defaults to the current time.

Note: Due Time must be set to a minimum of 1 minute in the future.

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Updating Due Time After Sending an Order

A Due Time can be updated multiple times after an order is sent, as long as the ticket remains open.

A new kitchen ticket will print if:

• A new item is added to the ticket
• Items are marked to "Resend" to the kitchen

A new kitchen ticket will not print automatically if the user only adjusts the Due Time. KDS tickets always update the Due Time in real time.

Where Due Time Appears

On the POS and Ticket Grid

• Due Time appears on open tickets and counts down to the Due Time
• Tickets can be sorted to show the earliest Due Times first
• Overdue tickets display PAST DUE and count up after the Due Time

Due Time on Kitchen Printers

Due Time always prints on kitchen tickets when an order is sent with a Due Time.

Due Time can optionally print on:

• Guest checks
• Transaction receipts
  

This can be enabled under Manager > Settings > Hardware > Printers/KDS > Receipt Printer Settings.

Note: Separate settings exist for each receipt type.

Due Time on Kitchen Display Systems (KDS)

• Due Time displays in the ticket header as "DUE"
• Updates made on the POS are reflected on KDS automatically

Important Notes and Limitations

• Due Time can only be set for the current business day (based on Business Settings in Lighthouse)
• Due Time does not delay kitchen printing
• Automatic prep-time-based Due Time suggestions are not currently supported
• Time format (12-hour or 24-hour) follows the site’s regional settings