Tech briefs

By Staff
As published in: Franchise Times - August 2008

XProtean, a new company that provides point of sale to small-format retailers, introduced a new Web-based management program. Key features include: aPOS that handles transactions, payment processing and customer rewards, inventory management, lifecycle planning and order fulfillment programming. The software improves service speed, order accuracy, product availability and sales per visit.

Culver's, the Wisconsin-based restaurant chain, chose ESRI's ArcGIS Business Analyst and Business Analyst Online programs to help franchisees optimize the store location selection. ArcGIS Business Analyst compares and contrasts the target demographics of similar store locations and provides in-depth customer information to franchisees. Business Analyst Online provides easy-to-read quality maps and reports.

Burger King franchisee HB Boys LLC chose SICOM Systems, a full-service POS provider to the quick-service restaurant industry, for all of its locations. SICOM POS and SICOM's Enterprise Management Solution provide an industry Web browser with exception-based reporting, menu maintenance, and all-day system support and repair services.

Mississippi-based McAlister's Deli, a franchisor of restaurants featuring a variety of made-to-order menu items, will now use the Givex system to operate its gift card program. Under the Givex system, McAlister's will maintain databases about such matters as online program administration and reporting, card production and marketing. Currently, there are 265 McAlister's locations throughout 19 states.

Hothand Wireless, a mobile content provider, teamed with a UCLA-area Subway franchise to launch the start of its Local Merchant Network. The program aims to provide local businesses with the ability to customize their marketing campaigns in real-time towards specific audiences. Hothand hopes to expand the program to many more universities nation-wide as a part of its University Mobile Network program.

Wyndham Hotel Group, a branch of Wyndham Worldwide, will use the MICROS OPERA Xpress management system to synchronize operations for its 155-unit Wingate By Wyndham brand of hotels. The new system will allow for the coordination of matters such as reservations, inventory, and yield and revenue management.

Kentucky-based franchise Tumbleweed Southwest Grill recovered an average of $13,000 in annual revenue for 23 company-owned units through use of the MIRUS system of exception-based reporting. The software allowed for Tumbleweed to better manage and compare their beverage and entrée sales.

Contact:

Contact Person: Vikas Jain
Company Name: XProtean, Inc.
Telephone Number: (408) 933-4466
Fax Number: (408) 933-4545
Email Address: info@xprotean.com
Website address: www.xprotean.com