Understanding the Notify 💬 Feature in NX
The Notify 💬 feature allows venues to automatically or manually send text messages (SMS) to guests — keeping them informed about their order status in real-time.
This new feature streamlines guest communication directly from NX POS and NX KDS.
💡 What Is the Notify 💬 Feature?
With Notify 💬, your venue can automatically or manually send SMS messages to customers based on order activity.
These messages can notify guests when:
An order is bumped from the NX Kitchen Display System (KDS) An order is closed from the NX POS Or when staff chooses to manually send an update using the Notify 💬 button in POS
⚙️ How Notify 💬 Works
The Notify 💬 system is built around three key parts:
- SMS Templates –
Predefined messages that use placeholders to automatically fill in details. - Configuration Settings –
Determines when and how messages are sent (on bump, on close, or on demand). - POS and KDS Integration –
The actual sending of messages during live service.
🧱 Step 1: Create SMS Templates
All Notify 💬 messages are based on templates created in the NX Portal.
Navigation:
Configuration → SMS Templates
Each template includes:
- Name: The message title (e.g., “Order Ready”)
- Body: The text of the SMS message sent to the guest
You can use Content Placeholders to personalize each message automatically.
🧩 Available Content Placeholders
When creating your SMS template, you can include placeholders that NX replaces with real data when the message is sent.
Example message:
Hi %CUSTOMER_FIRST_NAME%, your order #%CHECK_NUMBER% from %VENUE_NAME% is ready for pickup!
Below are some of the most common placeholders:
| Placeholder | Description |
|---|---|
| %CUSTOMER_FIRST_NAME% | The guest’s first name. |
| %CHECK_NUMBER% | The order or check number. |
| %CHECK_NAME% | The name of the check. |
| %VENUE_NAME% | The name of your venue. |
| %AREA_NAME% | The dining area (e.g., Dine-In, Patio). |
| %ORDER_TYPE_NAME% | The order type, such as Dine In, To Go, or Delivery. |
| %CHECK_URL% | A web link to the guest’s digital receipt. |
| %VENUE_PHONE% | The phone number of the venue. |
| %VENUE_CITY_STATE_POSTAL% | The venue’s full location details. |
📘 Tip: The full list of available placeholders is available when creating the SMS template.
⚠️ Note: Not all placeholders will be applied to all Notify 💬 messages.
Example Template
Template Name:
Order Ready
Body:
Hi %CUSTOMER_FIRST_NAME%, your order #%CHECK_NUMBER% is ready for pickup from %VENUE_NAME%.
🧭 Step 2: Configure Routing Destinations (KDS)
Once templates are created, you can assign which messages are used by each KDS.
Navigation:
Configuration → Printing → Routing → Destinations
Under the Notify 💬 tab, you can configure:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| On Bump Notify 💬 Message | Automatically sends a message when an order is bumped from this KDS. |
| Available Notify 💬 Messages | Choose which templates can be sent manually from this KDS. |
💬 For example, “Order Ready” can be the On Bump message, while “Order Problem” and “Order Closed” remain available for manual sending.
🧩 Step 3: Configure Areas
Areas allow you to control Notify 💬 messages for orders closed in POS.
Navigation:
Configuration → Areas → [Select Area] → Notify 💬 tab
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| On Order Close Notify 💬 Message | Sends automatically when an order in this area is closed. |
| Allowed Notify 💬 Messages | Defines which templates can be sent manually from POS for this Area. |
⚡ Step 4: Enable in Order Types
To determine when messages are sent automatically, you must enable Notify 💬 permissions in Order Types.
Navigation:
Configuration → Ordering → Order Types → [Select Order Type]
In the Notify 💬 Settings section:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Allow Notify 💬 Message On Bump | Allows Notify 💬 messages to send automatically when orders are bumped from KDS. |
| Allow Notify 💬 Message On Order Close | Allows Notify 💬 messages to send automatically when orders are closed in POS. |
These settings work together with the Destination and Area configurations to automate guest notifications.
📲 Step 5: Sending Notify 💬 Messages in POS
Once configured, you can send Notify 💬 messages right from NX POS — either automatically or manually.
a) Manual Notify 💬 from POS
Tap the Notify 💬 button at the bottom of the Pay screen (if configured as a Pay Command) or from the Order Info Commands.
Employees must have the permission Check: Notify to be able to send on-demand Notify 💬 messages.
You’ll then be prompted to:
- Select the Notify 💬 Message template (e.g., “Order Ready”)
- Confirm or enter the guest’s phone number
- If the order already has a customer phone number, it will pre-fill automatically.
- If an order does not have a phone number attached, NX will prompt the user to enter one before sending.
- If the order already has a customer phone number, it will pre-fill automatically.
b) Automatic Notify 💬 Messages
If configured:
- A Notify 💬 Message is automatically sent when an order is bumped from KDS.
- A Notify 💬 Message is automatically sent when an order is closed in POS.
Orders without a phone number will not have automatic Notify 💬 Messages sent.
📬 Example Guest Messages
| Trigger | Message Sent to Guest |
|---|---|
| Order Bumped | “Hi Sarah, your order #22 from NX Bar & Grill is ready for pickup!” |
| Order Closed | “Hi Sarah, thank you for visiting NX Bar & Grill. View your receipt here: [link]” |
| Manual Notify | “Hi Sarah, there is an update regarding your order #22. Please check with our staff.” |
🔒 Important Notes
- All Notify 💬 messages are sent via NX’s integrated SMS system — no third-party setup required.
- Messages are one-way (guests cannot reply).
- NX records each Notify 💬 event in the order log for reference.
- Orders without a phone number will not have automatic Notify 💬 Messages sent.
✅ Summary
The Notify 💬 feature is a powerful new tool for improving guest communication.
By configuring your SMS templates and linking them to your routing destinations, areas, and order types, you can automate customer updates and streamline order handling — all from within NX POS and KDS.
In short:
- Create SMS Templates with placeholders
- Configure Destinations and Areas
- Enable notifications in Order Types
- Use the Notify 💬 Button to send or trigger messages instantly
With Notify 💬, NX helps you keep your guests informed, your staff efficient, and your operations seamless.