Android-based Menu Management solution for General Soft Drinks makes it to the finals.
The Menu Management solution is an integrated platform composed of an Android-based app and a back-end system that assists the marketing department at GSD in the management of promotional print material at client outlets.
GSD sales representatives visit outlets on a regular basis and propose the sponsorship of print material by Coca-Cola. Sales reps are provided with an Android app running on a tablet which provides them with outlet information. If an outlet is not already within the system, sales reps can add their contact information in real-time through the app.
Once the outlet has been selected, the sales rep can proceed to generate a combo meal and/or a menu together with a Coca-Cola drink. The outlet representative can see the visuals generated directly on the tablet.
Upon agreement on the visual, this information is synchronised with a central back end and awaits management approval. Upon approval, a low-resolution image is emailed or shown to the outlet manager for their approval. Upon confirmation, a high-resolution image is generated and automatically dispatched to the printing agency.
The solution replaces the paper-based process that was previously in place, which consisted of several manual steps whereby the sales representative would visit the outlet, take note of the combo meal or menu details following discussions with the outlet manager, and pass this to a graphic designer at GSD, who would manually create the combo meal or menu and send it to the outlet manager for approval, a process that could take several iterations. Once approved by both the outlet manager and GSD marketing department, the high-resolution images were then dispatched manually to the printing agency. This was a lengthy and cumbersome process which was error-prone and resource-intensive.
With the deployment of the solution, the process has been digitised and semi-automated, with several advantages for the three parties involved: the GSD marketing department, the outlet manager and the printers. The use of portable devices in business processes is in itself an innovative approach which is still in its infancy; however, the system performs a complex image generation in real time, in a very novel way.
Sales representatives now have outlet, order and print information available to them whilst on the move. With the information and print creation directly on the tablet, the approvals process is significantly hastened, without the need for manual data entry and email exchanges, and is much less prone to error.
Outlet managers can now see the combo meal and/or menu to be printed being created in real time on the tablet, allowing them to visualise the end product and be more flexible in their creation, significantly simplifying the approvals process for them.
On the other hand, the workload on the GSD marketing department of having to create combo meals and menus manually is completely eliminated, resulting in operational cost reduction and a quicker turnaround from outlet visit to print.
Finally, the printers are sure to receive a standardised file to go for print in a structured manner. Since the high-resolution images are too large to transfer by email, printers receive an email with a download link from which they can save the files and pass them on for printing and delivery; the email contains all information related to the printout required, making it easier for the printers to manage and complete the task.
About General Soft Drinks: GSD is the licensed Coca-Cola bottler for the Maltese Islands, and employs approximately 260 employees across the Operations, Technical, HR, Finance and Sales and Marketing departments. The company manufactures both carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks. Carbonated beverages include the Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Dr Pepper and Schweppes brands, while non-carbonated beverages include Kristal table water. Through its sister company, Falcon Wine and Spirits (FWS), the company imports a variety of brands such as Stella Artois, Löwenbräu, Berliner Beer, Powerade, Nestea, Cappy, Llanllyr Source Water and Evian, amongst others.
