FDH HOSTS SAFFRON FOR ARTIZIAN CATERING

April 2002

Fretwell-Downing Hospitality (FDH), leading provider of information management software for the foodservice industry, has been selected by contract caterer Artizian Catering to host a SaffronT management solution. SaffronT is a comprehensive and scalable system that can manage, track and forecast the entire catering business process, improving caterers efficiency and sharpening their profits.

The SaffronT information management system will be delivered via ASP (Application Service Provision), which put simply, is rental of the software. The software is delivered as a service, rather than a product, and is web-enabled which allows Artizian to access the Saffron system even though it is held on FDHs servers.

ASP is particularly suitable for contract caterers, who have to work within the limits of specific contract agreements, and have to run their business on tight margins.

FDH Sales Director Charles Mobbs explains, "The ASP model allows Saffron® users to adopt more of a pay as you grow concept, rather than requiring up-front investment. The ASP option also allows smaller contractors to benefit from the same solutions and centrally hosted technology as the big players, but without having to incur all the cost."

Jackie Brain, Finance Director at Artizian Catering, comments, "FDH was the only solutions provider that really understood the contract catering business. The accounting method in contract catering is different from any other business area, and the depth of experience within FDH added real value to its solutions." She continued, "Another key factor was Saffrons flexibility - it was the only system we found that could do everything we wanted it to - from supporting unit paper work, client invoicing and even payroll."

By eliminating the need to purchase the computer hardware which runs the Saffron system, Artizian Catering have made savings on both capital and maintenance costs, and pay just one fixed monthly fee. Because FDH looks after the software, Artizian has the reassurance that skilled engineers are on hand to perform the implementation, upgrades and necessary maintenance.

Charles Mobbs added, "Our many years of catering systems experience ensures we fully understand the business process that every caterer goes through - including complex operators such contract caterers. Our solutions offer accuracy, efficiency and ultimately improve the caterers bottom line."

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Fretwell Downing Hospitality
Brincliffe House
861 Ecclesall Road
Sheffield
S11 7AE