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For
Immediate Release June, 2006 Contact:
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Manager says using RTIconnect Order Guides cuts ordering time,
lowers restaurant inventory, and saves hundreds each month
(
Kona, Inc., located in
“Before, the only way to get new numbers or new
items was from the MBM ‘flash’ reports, says Mrs. Roberts. That meant that a
report and an order could “cross wires” and an ordered item wouldn’t be on the
truck. “Now, the inventory item numbers stay up-to-date and I know immediately
if an item is discontinued or if a new item is added.”
By using electronic order guides, operators ensure that their
inventory item numbers stay in sync with the numbers assigned by vendors, as
well as pricing and case/pack information.
When the vendor updates its product list, the updated order guide
is electronically sent to RTIconnect, along with an email to the restaurant’s
office advising them of a change. Keeping the inventory items in sync with the
vendors also helps restaurants maintain their eOrdering discount (subject to
vendor participation).
Currently used in more than 1,500 quick-service restaurants,
RTIconnect is a Web-enabled system developed by Restaurant Technology, Inc.
(RTI). Participating vendors become RTI Supply Chain Partners, and this group
now includes COI,
“It cut my
time in half.”
A significant economizing tool in RTIconnect is
its ability to calculate and generate orders, using a combination of sales history,
sales projections, special events, and current inventory Mrs. Roberts says the efficiency of the
ordering system “really helps me out. It takes me an hour now [each week]
instead of two hours. It cut my time in half.”
She adds that using RTIconnect saves her more
than time. It also reduces inventory costs by lowering inventory in her restaurant.
“It has lowered our inventory quite a bit. I’m one of those people who gets
very nervous and doesn’t want to run out of stuff. For example, I was always
over-ordering paper supplies.” She calculates that RTIconnect’s ordering system
has saved her about 25%. “Now I spend from $500 to $800 less each month.”
The Right Amount to Order
When the manager
clicks Calculate Order, RTIconnect
begins its calculations of sales projections, actual inventory usage, and
current inventory counts. It’s even “smart” enough to calculate how long the
on-hand amount will last and how much is in transit from a previous order.
Using these amounts, the software generates an order for the manager to review.
As soon as the manager clicks Send Order,
the order is transmitted to the vendor.
When the
order arrives and is verified, the manager clicks Received and RTIconnect automatically adds the received items to
the restaurant’s inventory counts.
.NET Technology
RTIconnect was built using Microsoft’s(R) .
Cost-effective, RTIconnect is offered as either a hosted
subscription service at $99 per restaurant monthly, or as a licensed software
application for larger operators.
Restaurants currently using RTIconnect include Arby’s, Bear
Rock Café, Burger King, Camille’s Sidewalk Café, Carl’s Jr., Cinnabon, Wendy’s,
and other quick-service restaurants.