Due Time Settings, Payments, and Manager Controls on SkyTab POS

Description: Learn how managers can control Due Time behavior in SkyTab POS, including requiring Due Time for specific Order Types, understanding how Due Time interacts with payments and completed tickets, and managing visibility for time-sensitive orders.

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

For an overview of how Due Time works on tickets, kitchen printers, and Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), visit the Due Time Overview and Usage article.

Prompting for Due Time for Specific Order Types (Manager/Owner)

Managers can require staff to set a Due Time before an order is sent to the kitchen or paid for by enabling Prompt for Due Time on specific Order Types.

This is commonly used for Pickup, Takeout, or other time-sensitive order flows.

Enable “Prompt for Due Time”

1. Navigate to Order Types on SkyTab POS or Lighthouse Business Manager (LBM).
2. Select the desired Order Type (for example, Pickup).
3. Enable Prompt for Due Time.
4. Save changes.
   
   

What Happens When Enabled

• Staff are prompted to set a Due Time every time they send an order or take payment.
• The prompt continues until a Due Time is set.
• If additional items are added later, the prompt appears again with the previously selected Due Time.

This ensures time expectations are always captured for applicable orders.

Due Time and Completed Tickets

Due Time only displays while a ticket is in the OPEN section of the Orders screen.

Once a ticket moves to COMPLETED, the Due Time is no longer visible.

This can cause confusion if payment is taken before the order is ready.

Keeping Paid Tickets with Due Time Visible (Recommended Workflow)

If you want paid tickets to remain visible with their Due Time, it is recommended to disable automatic ticket closure.

Disable Auto-Close on Payment

1. On SkyTab POS, navigate to Manager > Settings > Tickets.
2. Disable Close Ticket Automatically When Paid in Full.
   
3. Tap Save.

How This Changes Ticket Behavior

• After taking payment, staff can choose LEAVE OPEN or DONE.
  
• Selecting LEAVE OPEN:
  • Sets the ticket balance to $0
  • Keeps the ticket visible in the OPEN section
  • Preserves the Due Time countdown
    
• When the order is ready to be completed:
  1. Tap TAKE PAYMENT.
  2. Tap DONE.

This workflow is recommended for pickup and takeout orders where timing visibility is critical.

Operational Best Practices

• Avoid leaving tickets open across multiple business days
• Leaving orders open overnight can cause reporting discrepancies if tills or banks remain open
• Reconciling open tickets should be part of standard end-of-day procedures

Notes:

• Prompt for Due Time applies only to configured Order Types
• Due Time visibility is tied to ticket status (OPEN vs COMPLETED)
• The KDS always updates the Due Time in real time, regardless of the ticket payment status