DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGITAL ORDERING WEB APPLICATION “PORTAL PLATE” TO ENHANCE E-COMMERCE EFFICIENCY IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE SECTOR

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation in the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector has shifted consumer behavior toward faster, more accurate, and efficient ordering systems. This research aims to design and develop "Portal Plate," a web-based digital ordering application intended to enhance e-commerce efficiency for culinary businesses. The primary issues identified in manual ordering systems include high risks of human error, long wait times, and non-integrated transaction data management. The methodology used in this system development is Software Engineering with a Waterfall approach, encompassing the stages of requirements analysis, system design, implementation, and testing. The data collection process was conducted through direct observation of restaurant workflows, interviews with owners and customers, and literature studies of similar applications. The system is built using the Python programming language with the Django/Flask framework on the backend and MySQL as the database management system. The result of this research is a platform that implements a Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) mechanism, which strictly separates access rights between administrators and consumers. This feature not only enhances system security by protecting sensitive functions such as menu management and user data but also optimizes navigation based on specific role requirements. The implementation of Portal Plate is proven to accelerate the workflow from ordering to the kitchen through data automation. This study concludes that a structured Waterfall approach and robust backend technology are crucial in building reliable and secure F&B management systems that foster user trust in the digital economy era.