LOCAL AUTHORITY CATERERS LEAD SURGE IN WEB-HOSTED SOLUTIONS

Local authority catering divisions have contributed significantly to the surge in growth in the web-hosted versions of software solutions that systems provider Fretwell-Downing Hospitality (FDH) has seen in the last 12 months.

 

FDH believes a tipping point in the UK broadband market has been reached, which has led to the 62% jump in the number of its customers, particularly local authorities, opting for online-hosted versions of the firm’s Saffron suite of hospitality management information and nutritional analysis software.

 

According to FDH’s sales director Andrew Markwell, the trend is set to continue, particularly in the wake of a recent OFCOM report claiming that over 80% of the UK’s internet connections are now broadband. This has enabled the high-speed transmission of information that had been a barrier to the uptake of web-hosting by businesses in the past.

 

FDH now works with 82 local authorities. Most recently the company secured a contract with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) to provide the web-version of its nutritional analysis software, Saffron Nutrition, across all 22 local authorities and school meal providers in maintained schools in Wales. 

 

For local authority school meal providers there are several advantages to using the web-hosted versions, particularly when it comes to operating across many sites. Key personnel, particularly those moving between different operating sites, can input management information more easily through an internet connection. The hosted software systems allow staff access from any location, including home PC’s if required.

 

Importantly, there is also the potential for cost saving, because if a system is hosted and managed by FDH, the requirement for IT skills within the user organisation and at individual sites is significantly reduced. 

 

Andrew Markwell commented: “The ubiquity of high-speed internet access has made online services more affordable, accessible and convenient than was previously possible.

 

“In particular local authorities and contract caterers who need comprehensive feedback of information from each operating site are finding the online systems more effective. Web-hosting, particularly if FDH hosts the system centrally can also cut down on the IT maintenance costs that a business can incur.”