Time is money

Not a free lunch, but a step in the right direction

By Chase Christensen

Tapingo is a new technology company that has recently made its way to Utah State University’s campus. It promises to decrease lines and increase efficiency by allowing users to order and pay for food, from The HUB, using only their phone, according to the company’s website.

When an order is placed through Tapingo’s free smart phone app, or via the company’s website, The HUB receives the information and prepares it. By the time the user arrives the order may already be waiting in a designated Tapingo area, said Dallas Fonnesbeck, a representative for the company at USU.

This technology could make it possible for students to bypass long lunch lines.

The idea first came to fruition at Santa Clara University more than a year ago, according to Mickey Katz, director of campus marketing for Tapingo.

“We are a service provider,” said Katz. “And we felt that working specifically with college campuses made the most sense for us.”

The company’s app allows users to securely pay for items using either an A-number or a credit card.

“There are security measures in place to protect users,” Katz said. “We take the security of our customers’ private information very seriously.”

He added that the app allows users to register using a personal identification number in order to ensure the safety of personal information.

Tapingo is also working to expand the number of businesses that the app can be used with, according to Katz.

“We do plan on working with restaurants that are off-campus who will deliver to students on campus,” Katz said. “As students prove that they love our app and that there is a need for it at the locations, we hope to open other areas on campus as well.”

Ordering ahead can save a significant amount of time, which can be an important factor to college students, Katz said.

Some students are embracing the technology.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Landon Spendlove, an engineering student at Utah State. “I can order my lunch while I’m still in class and it is waiting for me when I get there. It is pretty nice not to have to wait in line right after sitting through a class.”

Other students are not sure of the benefits just yet.

“I just don’t know how much time it would actually save me,” said Lance Rasmussen, a USU student. “The lines are not that bad. It is a cool idea though and I might try it just for fun.”