Term	Definition
Back of the House (BOH)	The physical part of the restaurant that the guest does not normally see. Usually consists of the kitchen, prep line, and receiving dock.
Backup Printer	A secondary printer to which printing will be diverted in the event that communications with the primary printer are interrupted.Example: Typical reasons for the diversion to a backup printer include: paper out, power out, paper jam, printer off line, etc.
Bandwidth	The amount of data that can be exchanged by communications channels in a given amount of time. Given the same amount of time, a wider bandwidth will allow more information to be relayed in that time than a smaller one.
Bank	A predetermined amount of cash carried by a server or assigned to a cashier terminal used for making change. Can be given to a cashier at the beginning of the shift (as with a cash drawer), or may be the responsibility of the cashier to provide (as with some forms of self-banking).
Banquet Service	This refers to a type of service when more than one server is assigned to a single guest check.
Barback	The person who assists the bartender.
Barcode Number	A printed number that is translated into a machine-readable language by means of a series of printed bars.Example: The number the cashier at the grocery store swipes over the electronic scanner.
Barcode Reader	Allows an employee to post sales of merchandise (menu items) by scanning a generated barcode number or UPC (Universal Product Code) number that is printed on most products today.
Basic Input / Output System(BIOS)	A set of instructions that manages communications between the operating system and the hardware, ensuring the smooth operation of the hardware devices.
Batch Communications	A mode of communications whereby data is transmitted not in single characters, but in a predefined group of characters.
Batch File	A text file containing a number of commands to be executed automatically one after another.
Batch Processing	This type of processing allows a complete program to be carried out from start to finish without requiring any user intervention. However, it does not allow any input while the batch is running, or any correction in the event of a system failure
Baud Rate	A measurement of the rate at which a computer transmits information. The baud rate is the number of bits transmitted in one second.
Begin Check	An operator opens a blank guest check for a new customer. When an operator begins a check, a record is created for it in the database’s Open Check File that will store all transaction activity for that check.
Beta Test	The final stage of new software testing. The test is usually conducted by outside testers independent of the company before the software is released for sale. The software being tested is called the beta version.
Beverage Control	An automatic prompt asking the operator to enter beverages if there has been an insufficient number of beverages ordered. Can be configured to count beverages alone, or to compare the number of beverages to the number of guests.
Bin Number	This refers to the numbering system for inventorying bottles of wine.
Binary Code	A counting system based on just two digits (0 and 1). Binary code was developed to enable a computer to handle data, since the computer can only make a decision based on two alternatives (0 and 1).
BIOS	Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) - A set of instructions that manages communications between the operating system and the hardware, ensuring the smooth operation of the hardware devices.
Bit	Binary Digit. A unit of information that is the result of making a decision between '0' and '1'. The actual value of 0 or 1 that is assigned to a bit is called the bit value
Blind Drop	A form of cash drop where the cashier does not count their own drawer or bank before turning it in and, therefore, does not know if they are over or short. Sometimes used as a deterrent from theft by a cashier.
Block Transfer	A feature that allows one server to take ownership of some or all of the checks from another server.
BOH	Back of the House. (BOH) - The physical part of the restaurant that the guest does not normally see. Usually consists of the kitchen, prep line, and receiving dock.
Boot	To load and initialize an operating system on a computer.
BootTP Protocol	A protocol used for booting diskless workstations.
Breakpoint Method	A method of tax calculation. Specific points are defined where an increase of one cent in sales will increase the tax by one cent.
Bus	A circuit connection of a computer on which data travels throughout the computer or network.
Business Day	A predetermined range of hours that serve as a beginning and ending point for the tracking of totals and activity.Example: A 7-Eleven is a 24-hour operation, but it is not effective for forecasting to track totals perpetually. Therefore, they define a particular hour (usually very early morning) to have all totals reset. The hour when this happens would be considered the end of the previous business day, and the beginning of the new business day.
Busser	An employee responsible for clearing tables of dirty dishes, silverware and linen, cleaning the table, chairs and surrounding area, and “resetting” the table with clean dishes, silverware and linen. Usually considered a member of the host staff. Also known as a “busboy”.
By-Round	An option that causes a guest check to be printed each time it is service totaled, rather than printing only when the operator chooses, “Print Check”.Opposite of “On-Demand”.
Byte	Byte A collection of binary digits that the computer processes as one unit. Each byte contains 8 bits.