TORONTO, CANADA, September 16, 2010 (Press-News.org) San Diego California based Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. and Canadian point of sale software developer Volante Systems have partnered in an enterprise point of sale system rollout. Volante is currently installed in 44 of the 119 Garden Fresh stores.
Garden Fresh is a company with 119 Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants operating in 15 states, offering fresh produce and salads, made-from-scratch soups, hot-tossed pastas, freshly baked breads and more. Since 1978, Garden Fresh has kept a commitment to delicious and healthy dining. The very first Souplantation restaurant was the first casual eatery brand to serve fresh, wholesome menu options, and the concept continues to resonate with customers. Each restaurant offers an all you can eat dining experience, where guests can create a meal tailored to their individual needs. Patrons can always count on fresh, high-quality ingredients and daily made-from-scratch menu items. The secret to Garden Fresh's success lies in their approach to food and their ability to keep costs down.
When it came to information technology, Garden Fresh had looked for a number of years for a point of sale system that was as unique and individualized as their concept. Wanting to move beyond basic cash registers interfaced to a back office computer, the company had struggled to find a reliable enterprise point of sale system that went beyond the traditional functions of POS. Garden Fresh felt it already had a firm grasp on cost control, and opted instead to take an aggressive marketing approach to help grow revenues. What Garden Fresh was seeking was transaction level detail, not simply aggregate totals on lunch and dinner periods, but the ability to instantly study patterns of guest behavior and purchasing to enable further marketing analysis. What was needed was a technology partner that could not only help them do that, but help them do it more intelligently. The POS vendor also needed to be able to adapt to Garden Fresh's ever evolving needs and goals, both quickly and easily.
Garden Fresh found that individuality and flexibility with Volante Systems Enterprise POS.
"Because our ultimate needs for functionality would be in a state of development for quite some time, we wanted to partner with a company that had a demonstrated ability to help us meet developing needs," states Rich Thomson, VP for Information Technology for the San Diego California based chain. "We didn't want to be a small fish in the big POS pond. Volante showed a continued interest in delivering workable innovation. In the final POS 'bake off', we saw Volante demonstrate features that we expressed an interest in just a week before."
For instance, Garden Fresh had a strong desire to influence targeted guest behavior. One way the company hoped to achieve this goal was by issuing a bounce back coupon based on certain decision criteria in the sale, with the hope of providing guests an incentive to do something they might not otherwise have done. After looking at 13 different companies, all with some kind of frequency program, getting the POS terminal to come up with something "on the fly" was something several companies said was possible to do. However, Volante already offered incentive based marketing, and according to Thomson, "only Volante was actually able to show us how it was done. Volante had a credibility factor that was unusual."
Having demonstrated an ability to step up to the plate quickly in response to Garden Fresh's marketing needs, Volante has also been a breath of fresh air with regard to reliability.
Volante offers system reliability and on-demand, real time access to data through a network of peer-to-peer terminals. Peer-to-peer topology is a feature that is unique in the point of sale industry. The technology is designed to allow each terminal to run independently and reliably, and do so transparently to the user. In the case of system down time, each terminal will continue to operate without any loss of data or system degradation. Peer-to-peer provides users with peace of mind, along with the opportunity to keep IT departments lean. "Volante has really helped us in that regard by making a system that is just incredibly robust, reliable and simple to use," says Thomson. "Training is minimal, and the system is easy to support. We haven't needed any additional help on the support level yet. With Volante, there are no disasters at the store level when the hardware fails. The reliability of the enterprise database backbone means a great deal to us."
In addition, Volante also offers a full data-reporting suite to aid management in decision-making. The suite is designed to provide a clear insight into all aspects of operations, with filtered data reported whenever necessary, all accessed quickly and easily. Tailored summary reports have provided Garden Fresh with the ability to view only information they want to see, on demand, allowing store owners and managers more time to focus on operations and guest service.
"We're a low cost operator," admits Thomson. "Our fundamental interest was to automate everything. From the point in time that we put in electronic registers and electronic time clocks, it was so the cashiers and managers wouldn't have to enter information more than once. So we really like things that are batch oriented, behind the scenes. With Volante, we not only have been able to automate both POS and time & attendance for all staff, but to continue that automation in a reliable way that is still manageable."
Garden Fresh's needs when it came to an enterprise system were also complex. Each of the company's one hundred plus stores are unique onto themselves.
"With respect to Enterprise, we did not want simply the ability to remotely log in and make changes, which most of the companies we examined did quite well. We also didn't want our store managers to have to touch anything related to programming, and with lean staff we couldn't afford time-consuming data entry at Corporate. We wanted the ability to make universal and exception based changes to an expanding array of more than a hundred locations, almost all of them with their own issues. Volante has performed flawlessly in this regard."
Volante is currently installed in 44 of the 119 Garden Fresh stores in a corporate rollout. The installation process itself has proved to be remarkably easy and seamless. "The training and installation has been extremely simple," Thomson adds. "Staff reaction from the field has been great, both from managers and cashiers. Volante is a simple system to pick up, and the training requirements were significantly less than what we were anticipating, given the magnitude of the logistics involved."
According to Rich Thomson, Volante has changed how Garden Fresh looks at a point of sale transaction. "In the past, the transaction was something that was there, and that was it," he says. "With Volante, we can not only look at and analyze the transaction, we can now also try and influence the next transaction."
Not surprisingly, Garden Fresh is indeed taking a fresh approach at the point of sale.
Contact:
Annette Ennamorato
Vice President, Sales
Volante POS Systems
1188 Martin Grove Rd
Toronto, ON
Canada
M9W 5M9
416.522.1825
http://www.volantesystems.com
sales@volantesystems.com
About Volante POS Systems: Since 1993, Volante has been providing open standards, point of sale solutions to the hospitality industry worldwide. Volante is the perfect software choice for venues requiring a flexible yet comprehensive enterprise POS solution. For further information, please contact us at 416.522.1825 or visit our website at http://www.volantesystems.com.
Enterprise POS Systems: Volante Takes A "Garden Fresh" Approach
When it came to Enterprise POS software, Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. had looked for a point of sale system that was as unique and individualized as their concept. Garden Fresh found that individuality and flexibility with Volante Systems.
2010-09-16
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
PathGuide's Latitude VMI Helps Distributors Offer Speedy Customer Service, Lower Costs and Warehouse Efficiency Improvements
2010-09-16
PathGuide Technologies (www.pathguide.com), a leading provider of warehouse management systems (WMS) for industrial and retail distributors, today announced the deployment of its new vendor managed inventory (VMI) solution to help distributors efficiently manage the inventory replenishment levels of their customers. The new Latitude VMI product is one of the first in the industry to offer inventory notifications via email, along with automated customer ordering through docking, remote WiFi and VPN.
Because the Latitude VMI is already in use by distributors such as British ...
Top-Producing Real Estate Agent Welcomed to Dream Town in July
2010-09-16
The leading agency for online Chicago real estate, Dream Town Realty, expanded its size this summer with several new agents in July. The brokerage is also building a fourth office in the Lincoln Square neighborhood to accommodate its growing roster of realtors. Carola del Rio was one of the incoming agents who now calls Dream Town home. She joined the firm on July 8th, 2010.
Ms. del Rio comes to Dream Town with a very solid career behind her. She has over 10 years of experience in real estate sales and purchases. Her annual sales volume puts her in the top 5% of all ...
Howard's Way endorses critics of obesity surgery
2010-09-16
Obesity specialist and the founder of the Howard's Way very low calorie diet (VLCD), Penelope Howard, has endorsed other experts' views that bariatric surgery is not a 'magic bullet' to make you thin - and stop you returning to be obese.
Writing in The Daily Mirror, Dr Miriam Stoppard commented: "It's sad that we're resorting increasingly to surgery to tackle obesity. The NHS carried out more than 4,000 weight-loss operations last year - nine times as many as in 2004.
"Now a report by research body the Office of Health Economics argues for even more, claiming that ...
Magic Logix Seeks To Hire Advanced Software Developer in Dallas, TX.
2010-09-16
Magic Logix, an award-winning Website Design, Website Development and Online Marketing firm is looking to add an advanced Software Developer to our expanding team. Magic Logix most recent award is being listed in INC 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Inc. Magazine award Magic Logix spot #194 in the USA, #9 in DFW, and the #1 fastest growing companies in DFW for Advertising & Marketing firms. Magic Logix offers a great opportunity for a talented and motivated coder that wants to be a part of an extremely talented team. Please review the following job description ...
Vayu Media LLC Uses A Powerful SEO Strategy To Help Promote Local Businesses
2010-09-16
Vayu Media LLC is helping its clients across the globe maximize their revenue potential and return on investment (ROI) by harnessing the power of reciprocal links as part of the process of link building. The simple process of linking one website to another using back-links has revolutionized local Internet marketing strategies. Using Reciprocal links to promote the products and services of an online business is a white hat SEO technique. Vayu Media LLC has used this mode of organic search engine optimization to give local businesses a much-needed impetus.
Using an intelligent ...
Gulf Shores Golf Association Retains Buffalo Communications to Implement Publicity and Media-Relations Program
2010-09-16
The Gulf Shores Golf Association (GSGA) has extended its partnership with Buffalo Communications (Buffalo) to provide targeted publicity and media-relations outreach for its group of nine highly-rated golf courses and tourism partners on the Alabama coastline.
Buffalo's representation of the "stay-and-play" cooperative - known as Golf Gulf Shores (www.golfgulfshores.com) - signals that traveling golfers to the region recognize it has moved beyond the summer's oil spill headlines and is a vibrant destination ideal for stellar fall and winter golf at incredible values.
...
Assisted Living Locators Roswell chooses Panorama Press as their Marketing Partner.
2010-09-16
Assisted Living Locators Roswell a Roswell based service enterprise announced the selection of Panorama Press as their marketing partner. Assisted Living Locators helps families within the Roswell Community dealing with assisted living needs. Assisted Living Locators¿ Roswell is a free service that acts as a guide in the sea of choices by providing assessments, analysis of options and guidance throughout the selection process of assisted living services no matter what your needs are.
The website, www. AssistedLivingRoswellGA .com, features information on the benefits ...
GameDay Rugs Helps Students Decorate Dorms with Fun Finds, Free Shipping
2010-09-16
As millions of college students decorate their new living quarters, they are faced with the reality of on-campus living: small, cramped spaces in various shades of drab and restricting decor rules that stifle creativity and prohibit more permanent expressions such as painting walls, nailing in wall art or moving furniture. To infuse some style and school pride into these otherwise bland spaces, new web retailer GameDay Rugs is helping students outfit their digs with decorating tips and free shipping on GameDay Rugs' high-quality sports-licensed rugs.
The National Retail ...
UWC Financial Services Ltd - SHARE MONEY "JUST LIKE THAT".
2010-09-16
Living in today's fast age of technology, the necessity for having a reliable, efficient, yet cost-effective provider of online financial services becomes more and more vivid. Providing you with more convenient and cheaper ways to make international bank wire transfers and enabling your employees to use their money whenever and wherever they want to are the main aims of UWC Financial Services Ltd, a service-driven business that proves to always be there to help.
UWC Financial Services Ltd is a private UK limited company based in London. It is authorised as Small Payment ...
Cloud Computing Topics Examined and Evaluated at CIO Cross-Industry Summit for Fortune 1000 Leaders
2010-09-16
The CIO Summit, a technology event for CIOs and IT leaders within the Fortune 1000, has announced that the major focus of this year's strategic agenda is devoted to the examination of cloud computing. The CIO Summit agenda is comprised of thought-leadership sessions, executive vision panels, think-tanks and focus groups. The CIO Summit will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, November 7 - 10, 2010.
"Cloud computing is at the forefront of every discussion we're having within our CIO community. Rather than devout a few spare sessions to the topic, we've decided to include ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Reality check: making indoor smartphone-based augmented reality work
Overthinking what you said? It’s your ‘lizard brain’ talking to newer, advanced parts of your brain
Black men — including transit workers — are targets for aggression on public transportation, study shows
Troubling spike in severe pregnancy-related complications for all ages in Illinois
Alcohol use identified by UTHealth Houston researchers as most common predictor of escalated cannabis vaping among youths in Texas
Need a landing pad for helicopter parenting? Frame tasks as learning
New MUSC Hollings Cancer Center research shows how Golgi stress affects T-cells' tumor-fighting ability
#16to365: New resources for year-round activism to end gender-based violence and strengthen bodily autonomy for all
Earliest fish-trapping facility in Central America discovered in Maya lowlands
São Paulo to host School on Disordered Systems
New insights into sleep uncover key mechanisms related to cognitive function
USC announces strategic collaboration with Autobahn Labs to accelerate drug discovery
Detroit health professionals urge the community to act and address the dangers of antimicrobial resistance
3D-printing advance mitigates three defects simultaneously for failure-free metal parts
Ancient hot water on Mars points to habitable past: Curtin study
In Patagonia, more snow could protect glaciers from melt — but only if we curb greenhouse gas emissions soon
Simplicity is key to understanding and achieving goals
Caste differentiation in ants
Nutrition that aligns with guidelines during pregnancy may be associated with better infant growth outcomes, NIH study finds
New technology points to unexpected uses for snoRNA
Racial and ethnic variation in survival in early-onset colorectal cancer
Disparities by race and urbanicity in online health care facility reviews
Exploring factors affecting workers' acquisition of exercise habits using machine learning approaches
Nano-patterned copper oxide sensor for ultra-low hydrogen detection
Maintaining bridge safer; Digital sensing-based monitoring system
A novel approach for the composition design of high-entropy fluorite oxides with low thermal conductivity
A groundbreaking new approach to treating chronic abdominal pain
ECOG-ACRIN appoints seven researchers to scientific committee leadership positions
New model of neuronal circuit provides insight on eye movement
Cooking up a breakthrough: Penn engineers refine lipid nanoparticles for better mRNA therapies
[Press-News.org] Enterprise POS Systems: Volante Takes A "Garden Fresh" ApproachWhen it came to Enterprise POS software, Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. had looked for a point of sale system that was as unique and individualized as their concept. Garden Fresh found that individuality and flexibility with Volante Systems.