Deploying CrunchTime is like sending out a team of brainy analysts to track how much product we purchase, what is being sold, how much is left, where it’s going and much more—in real time, all of the time. But it isn’t a set of humans that will spit out the data, it’s a comprehensive technology platform that works 24/7 to crunch data from point-of-sale inputs. It is a tool that will dramatically improve Areas’ operational efficiencies and productivity which in turn saves the company money and boosts our bottom line.
Now in full production at Areas’ Ft. Pierce travel plaza stores, the CrunchTime system is arming managers with a powerful tool to run their business more efficiently and effectively. “We now have a greater advantage to manage our cost of sales and have greater visibility of our purchasing, recipes, menu mix and cost analysis on a daily basis,” says Mike Ingle, general manager, Ft. Pierce.
It is allowing Areas to move toward a true perpetual inventory system. “As register sales come in, CrunchTime is doing the math behind the scenes and automatically updating inventory movement, your on-hand, transfers from one location to another, in real time,” says Lee Litherland, director of business application development. “It’s the first time we’ve had access to real data like this and it’s very powerful.”
In addition, says Litherland, it is important to note that the Support Center and Field Operations can view the same data in real time. It’s a new level of access to data and transparency to help drive efficiencies for all parties.
Litherland explains that as long as a point of sales is running it is calculating cost of sales and managing our inventory. As we move toward more real-time sales data flowing into CrunchTime, the system gets granular and easily accessible reports can pinpoint:
- The amount of food discarded during the course of the day. If a person working the burger board accidentally drops a beef patty it shows as an inventory adjustment, as Ops enters waste.
- Sales trends. A manager can know that sales of electronics are especially high on Fridays, so more of those can be put out on the floor.
- Which top shelf or liquors in the well are moving fastest.
- Items with better margins so more of those can be ordered.
- When stocks of popular products need replenishing, using advanced demand planning tools to drive suggested reorder quantities.
“As time goes on, we will have more historical data to help us. In turn, our customers will be able to get what they want and are expecting when they walk in the door,” says Ingle.
Associates currently working with the system are already finding it to be a valuable tool. “CrunchTime has been an incredible tool to work with,” says Paula Lopez, director of supply chain and merchandising. “The system will help the purchasing department spend less time in data entry and pricing updates due to the ease of the system and its option to integrate with vendors. This will allow the team to focus more on the analysis of the data and understand where we have opportunities to improve our costs and hold our vendors accountable.”
The system is a significant investment for Areas but over time it will pay for itself by allowing the company to manage and reduce cost of sales and ultimately reduce the days we have of on-hand inventory, which is capital the company must spend to bring more in. This will show savings to our bottom line and increase our profitability, according to Ingle.
Another aspect of CrunchTime soon to be deployed is its workforce management capability which allows us to better manage associate scheduling and eventually drive payroll. “Once we install the workforce tool then we will have food and labor costs all in one system and that’s the holy grail in helping us to plan our business,” says Litherland.
CrunchTime will roll out next to the rest of the Florida Turnpike locations and then on to the Miami International and Orlando International airports.