Host are thrilled to announce the launch in June 2007 of their secure, web facing management system which is integrated between the supplier, client organisation and either the Host or the client central accounting system. Caternet can be operated with or without a Host catering management service.

The Caternet mission statement is; to provide clients with financial control through providing secure, real time performance data at their fingertips.

Caternet is a system which Jerry Brand visualised right back from Russell & Brand days in the early 90’s, although then the technology was unavailable to create the real time management information that is so important in making this system unique in modernizing the mature food service business we currently operate within.

Caternet offers the following to our clients and company management (there will be more features added regularly, and we are happy to have our clients all involved in the development forums, sharing their experiences and their ideas on how to develop Caternet – YOUR interactive management information system):

our unique answer to combining local and national suppliers via our secure purchasing web site, dedicated to allowing our units to purchase from within a 20 mile radius from their post code, thereby reducing food miles as well as promoting regional flavours and supporting local business. This system removes the need for a paper invoice, allows us to connect the smallest local suppliers as well as the major national supply companies, automatically reviewing and comparing weekly prices in product categories whilst sending confirmed purchases to the integrated stock system.

Daily diary; a real time note of all that goes on in a catering outlet on a daily basis, the diary records credit sales, cash income, free issues (inc. recharge reference info and invoicing), transfers and payroll data as well as any variances and banking receipts/cash control.

Q-Cam; got a busy restaurant? Always having to queue no matter how well the catering team queue bust for you? Q-Cam allows you to put a camera viewing the service counters and for your employees to view when it is best to go down and visit the restaurant.

e-Deli; too busy to go down to the restaurant? Got a hospitality meeting and need support? Is it your birthday and do you want to order pizza/cakes etc… for your friends and colleagues? e-Deli allows you to order from the Internet and pick up your food (or even get it delivered) in your restaurant – you won’t need to look at the Q-Cam as you just pop down and pick it up!

e-vent; if you are a busy person and you have to organise regular buffets, management meetings, special events and occasions, then using our e-vent will create a direct link to the catering department and provide you with a visual display of the special food services available. The e-vent system also automatically charges your cost centre or creates the invoice for external customers.

Real time data; the system provides a secure Internet based dashboard by which our clients and company management can view the performance of the operation on a daily basis. From seeing exactly what items we are buying for you, and being able to drill down to get detailed free issue and hospitality information through to performance criteria/ratios established to suit the specific client and budget actual variance performance on a period and year to date basis, our clients benchmark the Host performance against local supermarkets and national indices to ensure they are getting the best deal available. The audited data comes in the form of final electronic invoice and operational reports once the operating period is shut down. It’s even better for the environment!

The Caternet system stamps out inflated pricing and expensive into-unit prices and provides clients with the new model of contract food service which is being moulded by Host – real time management information at your fingertips.

You could be suffering from high purchase prices from an immoral contractor, or be self operational and just in need of a good system which will automate your operation, giving you access to the best net prices available using our ever growing purchasing power.

We will be happy to come and visit you in order to show you how our Caternet system can revolutionise your catering operation and costs.

For more details on how you could benefit from the Caternet system, please contact jerry.brand@hostmgt.com directly.