System, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for automatically checking in a customer

A computer-implemented method for automatically checking-in a customer, with said method comprising a processor performing the steps of:

• generating a database including data records with each record containing a customer profile;
• installing a customer application on a customer mobile computing device having a processor, a memory device, a touchscreen, and a wireless antenna for detecting a wireless hotspot about a store, with the memory device storing a customer application;
• installing an associate application on an associate mobile computing device having a processor, a memory device, and a touchscreen, with the memory device storing an associate application;
• receiving a signal from the customer mobile computing device that the customer mobile computing device has recognized the wireless hotspot, and including a unique customer identification associated with the customer mobile computing device;
• retrieving, from the database, one of the data records including the customer profile associated with the unique customer identification;
• determining if the retrieved data record further includes a customer order;
• and
• if the retrieved data record includes the customer order, then automatically checking-in the customer and transmitting a signal to the associate mobile computing device including an indication that the customer has been checked-in for pick-up of the customer order.

One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, having computer executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to:

• operate a customer mobile computing device to display a graphical user interface that is usable by a customer on a touchscreen of the customer mobile computing device, the customer mobile computing device further including a wireless antenna for detecting a wireless hotspot about a store;
• operate an associate mobile computing device to display a graphical user interface that is usable by an associate of a store on a touchscreen of the associate mobile computing device;
• operate the server computer to receive a signal from the customer mobile computing device that the customer mobile computing device has recognized the wireless hotspot, and including a unique customer identification associated with the customer mobile computing device;
• operate the server computer to retrieve, from a database, a data record including a customer profile associated with the unique customer identification;
• operate the server computer to determine if the retrieved data record further includes a customer order;
• and
• if the retrieved data record includes the customer order, then operate the server computer to check-in the customer and transmit a signal to the associate mobile computing device including an indication that the customer has been checked-in for pick-up of the customer order.