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by Seasus / 20 Nov, 2014 / Published in | |

Android-Based Menu Management solution for General Soft Drinks makes it to the finals.

The Menu Management solution in 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 selects, 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 synchronised with a central back end and awaits management approval. Upon such 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. This consisted in several manual steps whereby the sales representative would visit the outlet and take a note of the combo meal or menu details following discussions with the outlet manager. This information would then be given to a graphic designer at GSD, who would manually create the combo meal or menu and sends it to the outlet manager for approval. At the stage, several iterations might need to be performed until the outlet manager is satisfied with the outcome.

Once the combo meal or menu visuals are approved by both the outlet manager and GSD marketing department, the high resolution images are 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 to the three parties involved in the business process, namely 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 itself performs a complex image generation in real-time which in a very novel way.

With the deployment of the solution, the process has been digitised and semi-automated with several advantages to the three parties involved in the business process, namely the GSD marketing department, the outlet manager and the printers.

Sales representatives now have outlet, order and prints information available to them whilst on the move. Considering that the information and the print creation are directly on the tablet, the process of approvals is significantly hastened, without the need for manual data entry and email exchanges. In addition, the process is much less prone to error.

Outlet managers now have the possibility to see the combo meal and/or menu to be printed being created in real-time on the tablet. They can therefore visualise the end product and can be more flexible in their creation. The process of approvals is also significantly simplified for them.

On the other hand, the workload on the GSD marketing department in having to create the combo meals and menus manually is completely eliminated, thus resulting in operations 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. Considering that the high resolution images are too large to transfer by email, the printers receive an email with a download link from where they can save the files and pass them on for printing and delivery. This email contains all information related to the printout required, making it easier for the printers to manage and complete the task.

 

About the General Soft Drinks

GSD is the licensed Coca-Cola bottler for the Maltese Islands, and employs approximately 260 employees in 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, where as 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, Lowenbrau, Berlin Beer, Powerade, Nestea, Cappy, Llanllyr Source Water and Evian amongst others.
 

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