Facilities management services group Bosasa Operations has deployed a Web-based technology solution to standardise, streamline and control its business process as a supplier of a full industrial kitchen administrator services while improving data accuracy, integrity, billing and stock control.
With the tender award of 23 industrial kitchens as a first roll-out, the company was faced with enormous challenges to meet the client requirements as set out in the tender specifications as well as ensuring adequate stock levels at each kitchen to meet the menu cycle as agreed with the client. This was compounded by the fact that not all meals were standard, a certain proportion being special meals in terms of nutritional values and religious beliefs.
The company recognised that a technology solution was the only way to meet its and its clients needs in respect of stock levels, cost analysis, correct reporting and control of nutritional value of meals, stock rotation, re-order levels, daily stock issues from stores as well as the accurate preparation of billing records for itself and its clients. The company is paid a set fee per meal served per person per day.
Computer Initiatives (Pty) Ltd, as our technology partner, was commissioned to convert a spreadsheet-based solution, developed by Bosasa into a custom Web-based solution, designed to integrate with Microsoft Great Plains as a replacement to several traditional systems previously deployed for industrial kitchen environments with little success. Bosasa Operations required a technology solution that would not only focus on cost control but would be able to ensure integrity of data to measure that additional value to clients made by the company.
Centralised controllers monitor the distribution process allowing employees access to reliable, accurate information in real-time, as well as an improved customer experience through the electronic accessibility of information and processes.
"Having the right IT systems in place has simplified our internal business processes, while adding tangible business value in the form of improved stock control, financial management, reporting on the nutritional value of food prepared and accurate reporting," says Bosasa Group CFO Andries van Tonder.
The custom Web-based system solution was designed and implemented over a six-month period.
"Once the Microsoft Great Plains solution was fully deployed, we achieved greater efficiency for all of our employees, which translated into improved customer service through increased productivity, as well as providing business insight to improving our decision-making processes across this respect of our organisation," concludes Van Tonder.
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