Key catering technologies to optimize your stocks and your supply

Par
 
Justine Demarque
 
le
 
14/3/2024

Supplier and inventory management is not only a necessity; it is the art of maintaining the perfect balance between efficiency and quality. The digital age has transformed supplier and inventory management, making these processes both simpler and more efficient through a series of technological innovations. But what are the most notable advances in this sector? And what software and businesses are embracing this new era? Discover them in this article.

What are the key technological advances?

Integrated Inventory Management Systems (ERP): A 360° vision

Cloud-based software makes it possible to track the stock levels of each item in real time, from receipt to use and storage. This minimizes human error and ensures accurate inventory management, allowing establishments to maintain the perfect balance between overstock and out of stock. In addition, these systems facilitate close collaboration with suppliers through automatic orders triggered by stock levels. This then allows for smooth and responsive management of the supply chain.

AI and Machine Learning: Forecasting and Optimizing

Artificial intelligence and machine learning can analyze large volumes of data to predict consumer trends and adjust inventory levels accordingly. This helps improve procurement decision-making and reduce wastage. In addition, machine learning makes it possible to analyze sales history and other variables. Thus, this technology makes it possible to recommend the quantities to be ordered, allowing establishments to reduce costs while satisfying demand.

Internet of Things (IoT): Real-time connectivity and monitoring

The Internet of Things (IoT) optimizes the supply chain by connecting equipment and systems for intelligent management of stocks and suppliers. It allows the real-time monitoring of products, from order to delivery, improving the freshness of ingredients while reducing waste.This technology also makes it possible to monitor temperature and humidity in storage areas. Thus, in the event of unfavorable storage conditions, the technology is responsible for sending alerts in order to guarantee the quality and safety of stored foods.But that's not all, IoT can even optimize the use of energy in kitchens. How? By automatically adjusting equipment as needed, which results in substantial savings. Thanks to IoT, restaurant owners benefit from increased visibility into their operations, facilitating decisions based on accurate data for maximum efficiency.

Blockchain: Traceability and transparency

Blockchain technology offers a transparency And a traceability unprecedented levels of food products, from their origin to the consumer's plate.This ability to track:

  • improves food safety by making it easier to manage product recalls
  • reduces the risk of fraud, and
  • strengthens relationships of trust with suppliers

In addition, blockchain optimizes inventory management by providing accurate data that help adjust inventories according to demand, thus reducing food waste. By automating and making the exchange of information reliable, blockchain increases operational efficiency. It can thus contribute to a reduction in costs for catering professionals, while supporting more sustainable and responsible procurement practices.

Digital Procurement Platforms: Simplifying Operations

Digital procurement platforms offer centralization of purchasing processes. This allows restaurant owners to easily access a wide range of suppliers and products. Through automation and data analysis, they:

  • simplify ordering and stock management in real time,
  • promote better price negotiation and
  • improve the transparency and traceability of products.

By reducing manual errors and providing accurate data for decision making, these digital tools enable professionals to manage their resources more effectively, while contributing to a more sustainable supply chain.

Predictive analysis: Anticipating needs

Predictive analytics is revolutionizing restaurant supply chain management by using historical data and algorithms to predict future trends. It allows restaurant owners to predict demand, optimize inventory levels, and plan purchases accurately. This thus avoids overstocking or shortages. By anticipating customer needs and adjusting the offer accordingly, predictive analytics significantly improves operational efficiency and contributes to better customer satisfaction.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Task Automation

RPA is a transformative technology for supply chain management, especially by automating repetitive tasks and reducing errors. In the restaurant industry, it streamlines operations. How? By automating supplier orders, inventory management or even delivery tracking. By monitoring stock levels in real time, it can automatically order ingredients when they reach a certain threshold. This makes it possible to prevent stockouts and reduce waste.Especially since RPA offers flawless precision in data management. Thus, it frees up staff for higher value-added tasks, thus optimizing the supply chain from end to end. By automating supply chain processes, RPA ensures that ingredients are efficiently sourced and delivered on time, reducing costs and minimizing disruptions.

Some examples of innovative solutions

Coopeo

Specially designed for restaurant owners and bakers, Coopeo aims to transform purchasing and supplier management into a less demanding and more efficient task.

logiciel Coopeo technologies restauration

Source: Coopeo

Available on Android and iOS, this application offers a detailed analysis of your supplier invoices. It helps you identify potential savings without compromising quality. With Coopeo, restaurant owners regain control of their purchases in a practical way, while benefiting from training to optimize their purchasing procedures. all accessible via a subscription.

Choco

Choco is a revolutionary application that facilitates direct communication between restaurant owners and suppliers and aims to modernize the food supply chain, which is traditionally fragmented and obsolete.

application choco

Source: Choco

By digitizing the order processes, the application first of all makes it possible to save around 3 kilos of food per week and per establishment. Second, it saves valuable time, with a significant reduction in order errors. Choco is about to take a new step forward with the integration of artificial intelligence. Through “Choco IA”, it promises to automate order processing in all formats and languages used by customers.

Inpulse

The French start-up is revolutionizing supply management in the restaurant sector thanks to its AI-based SaaS software. Inpulse allows restaurant owners to optimize their raw material orders and manage their stocks effectively. It uses historical sales data and factors like weather to predict future needs. This innovative approach helps avoid losses and stockouts. It also facilitates the management of inventories and orders by digitizing them while digitizing them. By offering real-time access to profitability ratios, Inpulse focuses on improving profitability. Thus, restaurants, especially chains, are saving money and increasing their margins.

Ratatool

Ratatool is an innovative software solution designed specifically for catering professionals, aimed at simplifying and optimizing the daily management of cooking recipes and ingredient orders.

logiciel ratatool technologie restauration

Source: Ratatool

By exploiting cloud technologies, it offers a complete solution for:

  • the digitization of technical recipe sheets
  • detailed recipe creation
  • Cost calculation
  • the generation of supplier orders
  • stock control

All while ensuring the traceability of ingredients and the management of allergens.

IDA

IDA represents a significant advance in the field of software and technological innovations designed to optimize supplier and inventory management for catering professionals.

logiciel IA IDA technologie restauration

Source: IDA

Designed as a SaaS solution, IDA uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize the management of fresh food stocks. By analyzing more than 100 parameters, the software suggests precise commands. This technology thus makes it possible to respond effectively to supply needs. Among the parameters taken into account, there are for example:

  • Meteorological conditions
  • seasonality
  • sales history
  • etc.

Accessible directly from a tablet, the software facilitates communication between the purchasing center and suppliers. It thus offers significant gains for stores that integrated it into their pilot process. The adoption of these revolutionary technologies marks the beginning of a new era for supplier and inventory management in the restaurant sector. By integrating these innovative tools, you open the door to increased operational efficiency, a significant reduction in waste, and strengthened collaboration with your supply chain partners.