Catering for conference season By Mat Whi of Catering, He Chair of TUCO and Dintor and C The University of Realy nonce Services at The summer months ‘can often be some of the boasiest for catering departments due to the commercial versity ‘opportunities available a from external events such as conferences, summer schools, banquets, weddings and community events. Marketing these ie to non-university groups not only has sizeable profit potential but it Also offers the chance to raise the profile of the institution to a wider audience. he shift in focus from catering for udents to often more formal occasions requires a great deal of planning and a change in purchasing habits. To help case the pressures for catering leads daring this transition period, specialist procurement technology, such as TUCO Online, can make the world of di when it comes to time efficiency, cost savings and easing admin-based tasks, For example, TUCO Online is linked to live supplier price files and allergen information, helping to reduce administration and streamline the recipe and menu management process. Italso cffectively manages supplier contracts through an online contract management diary. This can be a real-time saver when ordering for multiple event requests and different numbers of people daring the summer months, Through using digital procurement technology caterers can also have electronic purchase orders, delivery invoices, prices and products all in one place, giving complete control of expenditure and supplier relationships. ‘Valuable KPI information and quick, effective and simple food stock control is also available ina fraction of the ‘swell as automated price and product ‘comparisons between maltiple suppliers. his can help to further drive the profit potential during the term bre Digitalisation ofthe procureme process is enabling caterers o streamline their records and keep them alin one place. This one-stop shop, #0 t0 speak, rmeans they can do everything from costing recipes online to managing stock levels and adding local supplier Inform Tosindout more about TUCO Onlin, vist cor ke 52 | wmunversiybusiness.couk| @UB.UK Pl By The Russell Partnership's Prof David Russell vibrancy and significance to our savvy students, it is fandamental that higher education insitates utilise ewting- edge technological soltions and digital platforms chat enable che optimisation of catering outlets and che asocited customer ‘experience. In practical terms, tise the utilisation of smartphone applications sind related technologies that enable sophisticated marketing opportunities feedback occasions and subsequent facilitation For example, implementation of Beacon integration across catering outlets will deliver real-time opportunities for students and staf be electronically welcomed, receive menus and deliver deals relevant to that outlet Beacons ate Ap e's implementation of Bluetooth low-energy wirles technology that deliver an innovative method of providing location-based information and services to iPhones and other iOS devices. ‘Beacons are placed in store entrances and communicate with ss smartphones ‘upon arrival, providing there is Bluetooth cor corresponding application to receive the message. Beacons deliver an econphere ‘of posibiltes for location awareness, and countless opportunities for interactivity berweeniOS d Tn addition, integration of technologies wices and iBeacon hardware such a augmented reality (A) rechnology make the dining experience fun, inte and individualised to students and although this technology is ikely tobe transitory duct ts cumbersome natu, iis one that hasbeen succesful for us at major events such as the Rugby World Cup 2015. Finally, offering students the ability to order food from on-campus catering outlets isone chat would be gratefully rceived based on the succes of mobile applications such as Deliveroo and Just Eat. If food is nutrtions, fit priced and aligned with students favour plats then a higher education innovation such as this would hhave more benefits than just ommerca] viability ~ sents would be nourished, wwellcared fr and are more likely to rate their student experience more posiively As technology never sands sill, we must follow sit. Lets utilise the technology that 1we know works in an arena that is flooded by ‘mercurial millennials and digital devotees alike to ensure they ae satised, simulated and inspired by their higher education instieues dedicated ro digital integration