KitMan Enhancements

For Lecturers

Some 18 months ago we launched the unique Lecturers Ordering System enabling class requisitions to be placed easily. Since its introduction we have listened to the requests of our customers and are pleased to announce that after many months of development we shall shortly be issuing all of our customers with an update including all the following enhancements:

• The major change is linking KitMan to the Lecturers Ordering System. This means that if a new recipe is added to KitMan it will be available the next day
• New products or changes in products (additions and deletions) will be available to lecturers the following day
• A new design of the facia makes it much easier to understand and operate
• It is much easier and quicker to find products with search facilities added for each category
• If a lecturer is not choosing a recipe it is much easier and less time consuming to create a requisition by selecting products only
• The placing of repeat orders has been simplified so that a class size can be adjusted by the number of students, which amends the quantities required
• Repeat orders can be placed for a scheme of works many months in advance and amended closer to the date
• Better facilities for searching past requisitions
• Facility to record returned goods from a classroom to the stores
• Facilities to record the transfer of finished products to a food service area or for onward production by another department
• Each requisition records the quantities of goods at each stage e.g. quantity ordered, quantity delivered, quantity returned

In addition to the above there are many other changes that have taken place making both KitMan and the Lecturers Ordering System easier to use.

[back to the top]

For Stores

The suppliers database has received many amendments allowing more flexibility and ease of use for each of our customers. Stores departments can now tailor the database to their own requirements. These facilities include:

• The ability to add/remove suppliers easily and to reinsert them if required
• The ability to approve new products for use by lecturers
• The ability to remove products that are out of season
• Flexibility to purchase products from various suppliers
• Products without a price can incorporate a market price from suppliers within the Olympus Foodlink network

[back to the top]

Hosting

As you are aware the on line system is an Internet based system and whilst we were using a large organisation for hosting these facilities we have now taken this opportunity to switch these facilities to an International organisation that is a member of Tele House. The benefits this gives our customers is that the responses should be much faster

[back to the top]

Training

This new development incorporates many changes and enhancements and we want all of our clients to achieve the full benefits of these improvements. We are therefore recommending that further training should be given to all users so that they are conversant with these workings, details of this will be given to the Head of Department.

[back to the top]

Re Branding of Lecturers Ordering System

With so many changes taking place simultaneously we have taken the decision to rename the Lecturers Ordering System. We thought this was quite lengthy and of course the system is much more embracing as it incorporates the stores elements of purchase ordering. From this point on the system will be called KitMan Online.

[back to the top]

Reporting

The KitMan System has been further extended to include an ability to provide a reporting package for colleges to meet their needs. These reports will be requested by the Head of Department and will be available on a weekly/monthly basis as necessary. This will provide the management information necessary to control costs on an ongoing basis assisting everyone to achieve the goals set by the college. These reports will include:

• Cost per class by category
• Cost per student by category
• Cost per lecturer
• Dishes chosen for each course
• Cost per course by food category
• Comparisons of values ordered per class and delivered per class
• Values of items returned to stores by class
• Expenditure by supplier
• Expenditure on major food items
• Comparison of actual costs against a forecast for the period/year
• League tables for any set of results

Reports can also be provided in groups for comparison purposes e.g. by course categories.

The above are just a few of the reports that will be available and as we are progressing other reports will be incorporated as standard as requested by our customers.

[back to the top]

KitMan Demonstrates its Value

We have always maintained that once operational the KitMan System will provide the financial information and controls necessary to assist the Hospitality and Catering Division to manage the business efficiently. We are pleased that this is being demonstrated by a number of colleges and in particular we would like to make reference to Sheffield College who are reporting that for the first time the Catering department is operating at a surplus.

[back to the top]

Olympus FoodLink

The Olympus FoodLink Supply network continues to expand throughout the country. This is a network of Regional and National suppliers that offer attractive terms to our customers. All suppliers offer a quality product and have full accreditation ensuring that they meet the requirements under the new HACCP Regulations. They work closely with Olympus Associates ensuring that prices are regularly updated and incorporated in the network. It is appreciated that colleges need to support suppliers within the local community and whilst this can still be maintained there are other situations that we can assist with to offer you better terms on various product lines.

[back to the top]

Updating of Prices

The updating of prices from suppliers is a major feature of the KitMan System as this provides everyone with accurate costings, this is particularly true with suppliers who change prices frequently such as fresh produce. Olympus Associates have been working closely with local suppliers throughout the country to achieve this, unfortunately some of this has not been successful due to lack of co operation on the supplier's part. We shall continue to work, in conjunction with the college, with these suppliers, however if they persist in not providing the information required to assist you then we shall recommend a change of supplier to one in our network. In many instances this will also offer significant cost savings.

[back to the top]

Welsh Culinary Association

Olympus Associates are committed to supporting colleges throughout the UK and we are pleased to announce that we sponsored the Best College Award at the Welsh International Culinary Championships were held at Llandrillo College, Llandudno on 5th April 2006. We are delighted to be associated with this prestigious event.

[back to the top]