Concepts
Let's get familiar with the key ideas you'll encounter in Servinn. Don't worry — these are simpler than they sound!
Venues (Your Business Locations)
A venue is any physical or online location where you do business. It could be your restaurant, hotel property, retail store, or even an online shop. If you have multiple locations (like three cafe branches), each one is a separate venue in Servinn.
Why it matters: All your orders, products, and settings are organized by venue. This keeps everything neat, especially if you manage multiple locations.
Catalogs (Your Menu or Offerings)
A catalog is how you organize what you sell. For restaurants, this is your menu with categories like "Appetizers" or "Drinks." For hotels, it might be "Room Types" like "Deluxe Suite" or "Standard Room." For retail, it's your product categories like "Electronics" or "Clothing."
Why it matters: Catalogs help customers browse your offerings in an organized way, making it easier for them to find and order what they want.
Products or Items (What You Sell)
These are the individual things customers can order — a "Grilled Chicken Sandwich," a "Deluxe King Room," or a "Wireless Headphone." Each item has a name, description, price, and optional photo.
Why it matters: These are what generate your revenue. The clearer and more appealing your product descriptions, the more customers will order.
Entry Points (Where Customers Order From)
An entry point is a specific location where customers can place an order. Think of it as an ordering station:
For restaurants: Table 5, Table 12, Bar Counter
For hotels: Room 101, Room 205, Front Desk Check-in
For retail: Checkout Counter 1, Sales Point A
Each entry point gets its own unique QR code that customers scan to start ordering.
Why it matters: Entry points help you know exactly where each order is coming from, so you can deliver to the right place or provide the right service.
Orders (Customer Purchases)
An order is a customer's request to buy something from you. Depending on your business type, Servinn might call this a "Booking" (hotels), "Order" (restaurants), or "Sale" (retail). Every order includes what was ordered, the total amount, payment status, and which entry point it came from.
Why it matters: Orders are the heart of your business. Tracking them properly ensures customers get what they requested and you get paid.
Payments (Money Tracking)
Payments are the transactions that happen when customers pay for orders. Servinn tracks each payment's status (successful, pending, or failed), method (cash, card, mobile money), and amount.
Why it matters: Understanding your payments helps you track revenue, spot issues with failed transactions, and know exactly how much money is coming into your business.
Staff (Your Team)
Staff are the people who help you run your business. In Servinn, each team member gets their own login with specific permissions based on their role.
Why it matters: Giving your team appropriate access means they can help without accidentally changing critical settings or accessing sensitive financial information.