In this Edition
KitMan Development Education
Following the improvements to KitMan Online (lecturers requisition system) last year we have received many messages of how easy this is to operate and how it satisfies the needs of chef lecturers, stores technicians and provides management with their daily financial information. We are continuing to develop KitMan to meet the ever changing needs of Education.
Some of our more recent enhancements include:
- Product specifications – weights, tolerances, seasonality
- Increased bank of recipes including International dishes (all include methods, health and safety)
- Student Version – enabling students to have their own personal version
 Sheffield College
KitMan continues to deliver cost savings and benefits to our customers Castle College Sheffield have reported significant savings for the second year.
"For a number of years the college operated with a food deficit of 20K to 30K, which was quite good considering our activities. Last year with the use of KitMan we were able to eradicate the deficit. Like most colleges Castle College is struggling financially following the changes in funding and this year my department suffered a substantial reduction in its budget. KitMan has helped everyone to control costs and I am pleased to say that not only are we meeting those targets but we are exceeding them. KitMan is a major tool in our armoury and I think it is essential for all colleges – the cost savings alone are far in excess of the annual licence fees, which means that all of the other benefits it gives staff and students is a bonus"
John Janiszewski
Curriculum Team Leader
 Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University who use KitMan extensively throughout the University have extended their agreement to continue to train graduates in Hospitality and Management.
"KitMan is an excellent tool for the students in both reference material and project work. We can simulate live operational environments and allow students the ability to understand the financial and safety implications of running a food operation. KitMan is used by all of our students at various levels and we are pleased to have made a long term commitment with Olympus Associates."
Chris Mitchell
MSc. BSc. PGCE
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh
NHS Trust
Olympus have been working closely with the above trust over the past 2 years and we are pleased that we are providing significant cost savings. KitMan gives the Trust the financial and management information it requires from one source.
"As Head of Catering for the Trust I have responsibility for a large financial budget and it is important that this is under continual control, KitMan provides me with a management tool to do this. A slippage of a small percentage on our costs can have an enormous effect on the budgets. KitMan provides me with these daily costs advising me if the costs of meals have increased so that I can plan a change in menus. Purchasing has been made simpler and controllable. Food wastage has been reduced dramatically and we are seeing further benefits as we forecast more accurately the number of meals required for each Ward."
Paul Riley
Hotel Services Manager
KitMan Expands
The KitMan System has enjoyed success in many colleges controlling food costs, enabling them to achieve and exceed targets and to provide a teaching tool for students making them better equipped for the professions they have chosen. Not only is KitMan used by colleges and universities in England but it is also used by Dublin Institute in Eire, Belfast Institute in Northern Ireland and is in the process of being installed in Coleg Menai in Wales. Following the success of these installations and a presentation to Glasgow Metropolitan College we have been invited to make presentations to colleges throughout Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Eire making us a truly national operation for the Education sector throughout Britain
 Cedar Court Hotels
One of our hospitality customers is Cedar Court Hotels. They started using KitMan in one hotel and have been pleased with the results achieved that it is now operated in every operation throughout their group.
"With the use of KitMan I can control the food operations of all of my hotels and can easily identify any areas of concern. I have always considered that I have operated a tight ship yet by using KitMan the group has improved its profit margin in excess of 3% per annum. Health and Safety information and the latest HACCP details are ready to hand to ensure that a safe and healthy environment exists for the customer, company and staff alike. The use of KitMan has enabled me to have more free time to spend with my staff in developing their careers."
Mike Weaver
Group Executive Chef
 Olympus FoodLink
The FoodLink network continues to expand throughout the country with both regional and national suppliers joining. Amongst our national suppliers we are pleased that such companies as Brakes, 3663, DBC and Matthew Clark work with us throughout the country.
We continue to promote regional suppliers that can provide a local service to our customers.
"DDP Ltd are pleased to be associated with KitMan and Olympus Associates. As suppliers to the House of Lords and the Royal Household it is important to us to be associated with reputable companies. We believe that KitMan is a first class product and a major asset to all organisations providing food to the public"
Paul Grimshaw
Managing Director
KitMan New Features
Over the past months there has been another significant enhancement to the KitMan program. These have included updates to Chefs Office and the other support modules ensuring this is a complete management system that can be used throughout the college catering department and in particular as a teaching tool for students.
Chefs Office
Includes 185 different Menu Templates for over 40 types of menu incorporating suggested copy to customise to your exact requirements.
There are now over 700 links to web resources useful for the modern caterer.
Kitchen Manager
Over 50 items and nearly 100 links that represent a considerable training and HR resource for the modern kitchen manager.
Health and Safety Manual
Updated and easier to use.
Userguide
Easier to use and faster and includes the updates to KitMan and KitMan Online.
Support Services
A brief introduction to the specialist consultancy services that Olympus offer.
If you have any suggestions of tools you need or of websites for inclusion please email to links@kitman.com
College Working Party
It has always been our philosophy to develop KitMan to meet the changing needs of education; the introduction of KitMan On Line requisition system was created to solve the problems experienced by college lecturers and stores technicians whilst providing management with the financial information they require to control their department.
We shall continue to develop KitMan to resolve the issues faced by the education sector. It is planned to hold a working party of customers (including potential customers) to identify future enhancements. If anyone has any issues they would like to be discussed on this agenda please forward a brief note to support@kitman.com
Advanced Training
We have received a number of requests from customers for more detailed training on the uses of KitMan. We are therefore proposing to hold seminar training at a central location for interested parties. The object of the training is to enable customers to gain further benefits from the use of KitMan. This can be a 1 day or 2 days course dependent upon the level of interest. The training will cover such topics as:
- Benefits and features of Chefs Office
- Recipe compositions
- Health and Safety
- Service Areas
- Forecasting
- Posting performances
- Ordering - internal and external
- Stocktaking
- Management information
We will, of course, be happy to include any other aspects that customers would like to see. If there is an interest on your part can you please complete the form below.
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