Business Systems, Barriers, and

Accessibility

1 – What is the business system used for? (McDonald’s)

McDonald’s uses a digital POS system called newPOS. This information system—developed

in-house by McDonald’s—is used to integrate cash registers, kitchen displays, and the kiosks

on which their customers can order. Pertaining to its ordering system, the newPOS system is

designed to handle large volumes of customers, requiring vast power and reliability.

2 – What type of business is using the system?

The business type is that of the service kind. Being a multi-billion dollar company—

McDonald’s— that provides fast-food services to 68 million of its customers daily, a

formidable information system is required.

3 – What changes would you make to remove the barrier you have identified?

In lieu of its praise, the system isn’t without its faults—especially for the disabled. The

McDonald’s ordering kiosk system mainly presents a communication problem for the

visually impaired. Why? The McDonald’s kiosk system relies entirely on touch input, which

would prove futile for a visually impaired person. So, how do they typically input? It’s a

given that visually impaired persons use braille as an input aid, or audible aids as an

alternative. Thus, McDonald’s can integrate—at least realistically—audible aids to help

guide the visually impaired through the ordering process.