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I apologize, I have no idea what these are meant to be called:

You go to the post office, or whatever, you take a number. Your entry time is registered in a computer somewhere, and optionally you're given an estimate of how long it'll take until it's your turn. Number shows up on a big dashboard/TV, and the person behind the counter can manage the queue - mostly pulling up the next number in line.

What are these systems called, and are there any recommended brands? Simplicity and ease of use are key.

Starting point for you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queue_management_system

just google queue systems and a number of options will come up.

Seems like it would almost be easier (and cheaper) to write a script for this function. Just take a running average of the n most recent transaction times and multiply it times the number of active tickets in the queue. There's the average wait time t for the next ticket. Then add, say, 10% and tell the next customer their expected wait time is "t to 1.1*t minutes."

ludi wrote:

Seems like it would almost be easier (and cheaper) to write a script for this function. Just take a running average of the n most recent transaction times and multiply it times the number of active tickets in the queue. There's the average wait time t for the next ticket. Then add, say, 10% and tell the next customer their expected wait time is "t to 1.1*t minutes."

I forgot to add - I was looking for an off-the-shelf solution, or as close as possible - maybe the ticket printer machine, and the relevant PC software.

Is this a single-function queue (i.e. everyone needs the same service) or is it like my state DMV that's broken down into 6 sub-queues based on the service you need?

Single queue, Ned.

morphine wrote:

Single queue, Ned.

Anything wrong with the classic deli paper ticket and "now serving" sign, or are you looking to get some metrics out of the system?

Captain Ned wrote:

morphine wrote:

Single queue, Ned.

Anything wrong with the classic deli paper ticket and "now serving" sign, or are you looking to get some metrics out of the system?

The customer in question is required by law to record at least the time of entry, and I believe, also the time until service is rendered.

This is off my area of expertise, so apologies for all the noob-ish questions and poor/incomplete question phrasing