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Add-ons That Make Good Catering Software Great

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Add-ons That Make Good Catering Software Great

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Home Page > Food and Beverage > Home Brewing > Add-ons That Make Good Catering Software Great

Add-ons That Make Good Catering Software Great

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Posted: Feb 05, 2009 |Comments: 0
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Catering software can be a powerful solution to meet many of the needs of your business, letting you combine useful components such as a calendar for event scheduling, menu creation, and financial tracking into a single software package. As useful as this all-in-one catering software can be, however, there are a few things that can be added to it in order to make your business even more efficient. Here are some of the features which are available to add to your all-in-one catering software solution to help take your business to even greater heights.

Labor Management Features
It can be difficult to make sure that you have enough staff at an event to make things run smoothly without having too many people scheduled. To keep from being understaffed while avoiding unneeded labor costs due to over scheduling, labor management add-ons are available which will let you do everything from creating labor reports to developing custom labor templates based on different types of events. You will even be able to print your labor schedules directly from the software.

QuickBooks Integration
If you use QuickBooks as your preferred accounting software suite, you can use an add-on to allow you to directly import customer invoices into QuickBooks to make sure that all of your costs and income are accounted for. This will not only save you time but will also help to ensure that you don’t accidentally make mistakes while inputting invoice information.

Outlook Syncing
Just like the QuickBooks import functions, add-ons are available which will let you synchronize contact information and event scheduling with Outlook Express. This will give you an easy method of being able to look up customer information in case you need to contact them, while also giving you a secondary set of reminders of upcoming events and tasks which need to be completed before the events occur.

Room Mapping
One of the most useful add-ons that you can get for your catering software, room mapping features allow you to create a high-quality map of the event floor with ease. This will make it much easier to organize your staff in advance of the event, giving them a good idea of exactly where they will be working instead of having to figure it out once they get there. The room diagram will also give you an opportunity to recognize potential problems related to the event layout beforehand so that you will have a suitable solution ready before the event even occurs.

Automatic Online Inquiry Processing
The central server used by your catering software can be linked with your website, allowing the automatic importation of customer inquiries so that they can be dealt with more easily. This helpful add-on will let you see at a glance whether you already have events scheduled on the days that potential customers want to book your catering business, helping you to avoid double-booking. The integration into your website can also help you to keep an up-to-date online calendar to let those interested in your services know when you are available even before they make an inquiry.

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Thomas Wilford

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Are these good ideas (Fred Brooks “The mytical man-month” 1975) ? Does anyone use them ? Did Collins ?

Sun, 23 May 2010 03:45:05 +0000

-The Mythical Man-Month
Assigning more programmers to a project running behind schedule will make it even later, due to the time required for the new programmers to learn about the project, as well as the increased communication overhead. When N people have to communicate among themselves (without a hierarchy), as N increases, their output M decreases and can even become negative, i.e., the total work remaining at the end of a day is greater than the total work that had been remaining at the beginning of that day, such as when many bugs are created.

Group Intercommunication Formula: n(n − 1) / 2
Example: 50 developers give 50 · (50 – 1) / 2 = 1225 channels of communication.
Brooks illustrates the fallacy of adding workers to speed the work by counterexample: If one woman can produce a baby in nine months, then nine women should be able to produce a baby in one month. The reason that this is false is that gestation is a sequential process, whose stages cannot run in parallel. If nine women get pregnant at the same time, in nine months they will produce nine different babies.

-The Second-System Effect
The second system that an architect designs is the most dangerous system he will ever design since he will tend to incorporate all of the additions he originated but did not add (due to the inherent time constraints) to the first system. Thus, when embarking upon a second system, an engineer should be mindful that he is susceptible to over-engineering it.

-The Tendency to Irreducible Number of Errors
The author makes the observation that in a suitably complex system there is a certain irreducible number of errors. Any attempt to fix observed errors tends to result in the introduction of other errors.

-Progress Tracking
Question: How does a large software project get to be one year late? Answer: One day at a time! Incremental slippages on many fronts eventually accumulate to produce a large overall delay. Continued attention to meeting small individual milestones is required at each level of management.

-Conceptual Integrity
To make a user-friendly system, the system must have conceptual integrity, which can only be achieved by separating architecture from implementation. A single chief architect (or a small number of architects), acting on the user’s behalf, decides what goes in the system and what stays out. The architect or team of architects should develop an idea of what the system should do and make sure this vision is understood by the rest of the team. A novel idea by someone may not be included if it does not fit seamlessly with the overall system design. In fact, to ensure a user-friendly system, a system may deliberately provide fewer features than it is capable of. The point is that if a system is too complicated to use, then many of its features will go unused because no one has the time to learn how to use them.

-The Manual
What the chief architect produces are written specifications for the system in the form of the manual. It should describe the external specifications of the system in detail, i.e., everything that the user sees. The manual should be altered as feedback comes in from the implementation teams and the users.

-The Pilot System
When designing a new kind of system, a team will design a throw-away system (whether it intends to or not). This system acts as a “pilot plant” that reveals techniques that will subsequently cause a complete redesign of the system. This second, smarter system should be the one delivered to the customer, since delivery of the pilot system would cause nothing but agony to the customer, and possibly ruin the system’s reputation and maybe even the company’s.

-Formal Documents
Every project manager should create a small core set of formal documents defining the project objectives, how they are to be achieved, who is going to achieve them, when they are going to be achieved, and how much they are going to cost. These documents may also reveal inconsistencies that are otherwise hard to see.

-Project Estimation
When estimating project times, it should be remembered that programming products (which can be sold to paying customers) and programming systems are both three times as hard to write as in-house programs.[3] It should be kept in mind how much of the work week will actually be spent on technical issues, as opposed to administrative or other non-technical tasks, such as meetings.

-Communication
To avoid disaster, all the teams working on a project should remain in contact with each other in as many ways as possible — e-mail, phone, meetings, memos etc. Instead of assuming something, the implementer should instead ask the architects to clarify their intent on a feature he is implementing, before proceeding with an assumption that might very well be completely incorrect. The architects are responsible to formulate a group picture of the project and communicate it to the others.

-The Surgical Team

Much as a surgical team during surgery is led by one surgeon performing the most critical work himself while directing his team to assist with or overtake less critical parts, it seems reasonable to have a “good” programmer develop critical system components while the rest of a team provides what is needed at the right time. Additionally, Brooks muses that “good” programmers are generally five to ten times as productive as mediocre ones. See also Organization and Team Patterns.
Code Freeze and System Versioning
Software is invisible. Therefore, many things only become apparent once a certain amount of work has been done on a new system, allowing a user to experience it. This experience will yield insights, which will change a user’s needs or the perception of the user’s needs. The system should, therefore, be changed to fulfill the changed requirements of the user. This can only occur up to a certain point, otherwise the system may never be completed. At a certain date, no more changes should be allowed to the system and the code should be frozen. All requests for changes should be delayed until the next version of the system.
Specialized Tools
Instead of every programmer having his own special set of tools, each team should have a designated tool-maker who may create tools that are highly customized for the job that team is doing, e.g., a code generator tool that creates code based on a specification. In addition, system-wide tools should be built by a common tools team, overseen by the project manager.
Lowering Software Development Costs
There are two techniques for lowering software development costs that Brooks writes about:

Implementers may be hired only after the architecture of the system has been completed (a step that may take several months, during which time prematurely-hired implementers may have nothing to do).
Another technique Brooks mentions is not to develop software at all, but to simply buy it “off the shelf” when possible.

Would this help, to deploy a good system ? What if people treat the document as a checklist of what not to do?

Mon, 03 May 2010 16:38:48 +0000

Standard: Configuration Management Plan
Phase: Production and Deployment
Activity: Systems Management
Task: Establish Configuration Management Strategy
Reference: DFAS 8000.1-R, Part C, Chapter 2
Effective Date: May 17, 2002

DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE

Configuration Management Plan

For

Program Name

Date of Issue and Status: Date plan acknowledged as acceptable (mm/dd/yyyy) and whether plan is draft or approved. Also include version number.

Issuing organization: Identify the organization issuing this plan.

CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. Purpose. This plan specifies processes and procedures for the execution of configuration management (CM) to support the entire software change/modification process.

2. Scope. This plan applies to all activities related to the establishment of system/configuration baseline and change and release of application configuration items (CIs). These CIs are identified in appendices to this plan.

3. Software Configuration Management Structure.

3.1. Organizational Components. Identify the organizational units or teams responsible for the system’s CM activities.

3.1.1. Systems Engineering. Identify and describe the systems engineering activities and tasks that will be accomplished and how the results of these efforts will be documented.

3.1.2. Configuration Management. Identify and describe CM tasks that will be performed.

3.1.3. Development Platform Engineering Team (DPET). Identify and describe the integration of release management procedures with informational and technical requirements necessary for release of software for test and production.

3.1.4. Configuration Control Board (CCB). Identify and describe the membership, roles, and responsibilities of the CCB.

3.2. Configuration Management Responsibilities. Describe the responsibilities of the organizational components performing CM activities.

3.2.1. Configuration Item Identification. Identify who is responsible for CI identification.

3.2.2. Configuration Control. Identify who is responsible for configuration control and describe the procedures for accomplishing configuration control (CI identification, establishing baselines, changes, deviations, waivers, configuration change orders (CCOs), CCB requirements).

3.2.3. Configuration Status Accounting. Identify who is responsible for configuration status accounting and describe the procedures for accomplishing configuration status accounting (CIs, baselines, records, databases, etc.) requirements.

3.2.4. Audits and Reviews. Identify the responsibilities involved in audits and reviews and describe what will be accomplished during each audit and review.

4. Software Configuration Management (SCM) Activities.

4.1. Configuration Identification. Describe the procedures for meeting the CI requirements, including a description of activities for identifying CIs and baseline items, formation of releases, and baselining of products.

4.2. Configuration Control. Describe the configuration control activities, including level of authority for approval, change proposal processing, and CCB roles and procedures.

4.3. Configuration Status Accounting. Identify reports required for status accounting, i.e., the status of CIs, SCRs, and releases.

4.4. Audits and Reviews. Describe the formal review/audit procedures to be used for configuration audits and reviews (functional configuration audits and physical configuration audits).

4.5. Scheduling and Tracking of SCM Activities. Describe the scheduling and tracking of CM activities that will be accomplished for each release.

5. Library Management. Describe the procedures to be used for development library environment management, release management library environment management, validation testing library environment management, and release certification.

6. Tools, Techniques, and Methodologies. Identify tools and techniques and describe any unique methodologies used to accomplish effective CM.

7. Records Collection and Retention. Identify CM information to be retained and the locations and methods of retention.

8. Procedures for Updating Plan. Describe the steps required to modify the plan to include version number and methodology.

9. Change Information Sheet. List the changes and additions included in the current version of the plan.

CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

APPENDIX A – ACRONYMS

Describe the acronyms as they are used in the plan.

APPENDIX B – DEFINITIONS

Describe the key terms as they are used in the plan.

APPENDIX C – REFERENCES

Provide a complete list of documents referenced in the text of the plan. Each reference shall contain, as approp

Would this help, to produce good software ? What if people avoid following the checklist ?

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:09:12 +0000

Standard: Review Checklist
Phases: Concept and Technology Development, System Development and Demonstration, and Production and
Deployment
Activities: Numerous
Tasks: See Documentation Matrix
Reference: DFAS System Life Cycle
Effective Date: May 17, 2002

DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE

Review Checklist

for

Program Name

Date of Issue and Status: Date checklist is acknowledged as acceptable (mm/dd/yyyy) and whether checklist is draft or approved. Also include version number.

Issuing organization: Identify the organization issuing this checklist.

REVIEW CHECKLIST

1. Purpose. The Review Checklist is used to ensure the reviews are conducted in an appropriate and successful manner. This checklist is used for all product reviews, including but not limited to System Requirements Review, Functional Requirements Review, Critical Design Review, peer reviews.

2. Scope. Identify extent of use of this checklist.

3. Project Name. Name of Project or Application

4. Date of Review. Date review actually took place

5. Type of Review. Identify review in which checklist applies

6. Duration of Review. Actual time elapsed during review

7. Release or System Change Request (SCR) Numbers. Release identifier or SCR numbers reviewed

8. Review Participants. Include full name and role in the review (i.e., review coordinator, moderator, software quality assurance (SQA) representative, etc).

9. Questions. Questions should be posed to require a “yes/no” response. “Yes/no” questions should be presented so that all “yes” answers indicate successful completion of a task and “no” a lack thereof.

Sample Questions:
GENERAL
1. Was written notification provided at least three (3) working days prior to the review?YN
2. Was an agenda prepared?YN
3. Were scheduled facilities adequate?YN
4. Was a review package prepared?YN
5. Were the participants notified of review materials location at least three (3) working days in advance?YN
6. Was a review checklist prepared?YN
7. Was the review agenda followed?YN
8. Was the review checklist completed?YN
9. Did the Recorder take minutes of the meeting?YN
10. Did the Recorder distribute minutes of the meeting?YN
11. Did the Review Coordinator summarize review findings?YN
12. Were open/action items identified?YN
13. Did the Recorder prepare the review report?YN
14. Did the Recorder distribute the review report?YN
15. Were the review metrics recorded in the metrics repository?YN
16. Were open/action items tracked to resolution?YN
17. Were Release Quality Findings/Recommendations: (List Release program trouble reports (PTRs) Action Items (Responsibility and Completion Date) discussed during PTR?YN
18. Were Customer Support Findings/Recommendations: Action Items (Responsibility and Completion Date) discussed during PTR?YN
19. Were Training Findings/Recommendations: Action Items (Responsibility and
Completion Date) discussed during PTR?YN
20. Were User Documentation Findings/Recommendations: Action Items (Responsibility and Completion Date) discussed during PTR?YN
21. Were Overall Release Findings/Recommendations: Action Items (Responsibility and Completion Date) discussed during PTR?YN
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
22. Have requirements in all categories (functional, regulatory, user interface, performance, interface, infrastructure, security, user training) been adequately defined, analyzed, and documented?YN
23. Do the requirements, as documented, reflect appropriate functional mandates specified in the Federal Financial Management Regulations (FFMRs) and “A Guide to Federal Requirements for Financial Management Systems (commonly called the Blue Book)?YN
24. Do the requirements, as documented, comply with the release plan?YN
25. Are adequate security and information assurance requirements identified? Do they comply with the requirements of the DoD Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process (DITSCAP)?YN
26. Are risks identified and mitigation plans in place?YN
27. Have requirements adequately been traced back to the System Requirements Specification (SRS)?YN
28. Has sufficient attention been placed on the human factors?YN
29. Does the design team feel the Software Requirements Description (SRD) is complete, consistent, and unambiguous enough to create a complete design?YN
30. Does the test team feel the requirements contained in the SRD are unambiguous and testable?YN
31. Is the application using DFAS standard data elements?YN
32. Does the application’s operational, systems, and technical architecture comply with those at the enterprise level?YN
33. Have the Oracle Designer quality checking reports been run and have deficiencies been addressed?YN
34. Are ther

What is a good, backup software for linux?

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:55:18 +0000

We have 3 linux (RedHat ES3)

We are thinking we want commercial software, but open source software is not out of the question.

I definitely want a central management interface, so I can schedule/backup/restore, from on single machine/tape drive.

I want something with DR bare-metal restore capabilities.

Ease of installation, and administration, is much much preferred — If there are specific advantages (and really good documentation community support, like for a good OpenSource option), I might be willing to give a little “ease” up — but for the most part we want something that wont take a lot a time to set up and maintain.

Not necessary but .. We might actually decide to use DVD DL media for our backups. If we did, it would be nice if the software had a windows interface for the management, so the discs could be burned from on the windows machine with the DVD DL drive.

Anyway — interested to hear what people thing about the different options that are out there!!

is it good idea to sign a contract which has a penalty clause for not meeting zero critical defects goal?

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 22:17:10 +0000

I work in the software field as a vendor prviding software solutions to client. After investing in several months of development and testing effort for a project, they are insisting that just before go-live deploy decision is made, they will do dry run and do final verification. if still there are any critical defects found during final verification, supplier (meaning I) has to bear the cost of any further schedule slippage. Is this realistic or advisable to accept ?

Anyone know a good schedule software for basic everyday events and keeping my homework assignments in order?

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:12:57 +0000

Well i have a buzy year this year in college. And im looking for a good basic/simply program that acts as a calender on my cpu. All i want to do is schedule events such as *Hair cut – 3:30* and *homework – read pages 1-6*
Something that will go on as a desktop icon and is safe and simple
thanks

Where to Find Good Time Management Software for Working Moms

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:52:15 +0000

You get everyone all ready and have to run to a doctor’s appointment, but you remember you have to put your load of wash into the drier. You finish the stint and get out to the car. You forgot to get gas the night before, so you have to go out of your way to put gas in the vehicle. You forgot about the construction on the highway, and now you are late. What can you do?

The need for a personal time management software is increasing.

This software would show you how you could have put everything into priority of when it needs to be done. You also would find out from the software which things could be done at a later time. As a woman, you will eventually be able to prioritize your time properly

You can use this strategy to figure out what the time wasters were in the scenario. Do you know what the time wasters were? This person forgot about the laundry that needed to be dried.

If she had had personal time management software, she would keep had it gone already. In addition, she forgot the gas. This may appear like minor goods, and in comparison personal software would seem overkill, but merely the process of organizing your thoughts and tasks into one laundry list and then using a handy tool to prioritize and schedule those projects can give you a lot of help in handling your time. As you can see, with a good software, you will not ever ever succeeding to forget this and forget that.

Are you a time victim?

We all have similar situations that happen to us when we are parents. We have so much to struggle against, so much to do in a day. We need to prepare our day so we get the best out of it.

This is not easily done without using a personal software. Your software can point out all the tasks needing to be completed. For mobility, you could port the software to your cell handset or print out your daily schedule to keep with you as you move around the house / city.

The best of both worlds.

If we are realistic with our personal software, we can have the best of both worlds. We can juggle our family life while having some free time. Doesn’t it sound great to be able to soak your pressures away in the bathtub?

We can’t do that if we don’t make the time for it. Don’t worry, you may fall behind sometimes. There are unforeseeable events that tend to get in the way of all of our plans.

What is the key?

However, the key is to take the foremost step (by managing your time using time management tools such as personal time management software for the working moms) and to stick to the process.

As you get better at judging the time you need to complete tasks and the number of tasks you can handle during a day, your productivity will increase and you will be able to enjoy your life and pursue your personal goals a lot more.

Even though, you may now realise that why working moms should need a good personal time management software, but all words no actions is entirely does not make your goals come true. You really needs to get this software right now.

Take action now is the most open thing to do if you want you goals realized.

Without an effective and proper time management system, there will not be hugely goal-oriented lifestyle to hope for.

Understanding the fact of every working mom should need a personal time management software is easy to follow and implement and now allowing you to side-track is really allowing you to enjoy your life once again. So, please don’t wait any longer before giving another excuse to realize your education goals again.

Eddy K Elgin is the author of the 17 Minutes Time Management Secrets. Drop by at good personal time management software for working moms for more details.

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Whats a good software to organize my schedule?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:02:21 +0000

i would like to be able to make scheduels and to do list and claendars

What is a good software for scheduling appointments and stuff?

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:58:59 +0000

I need a software where I can login appointments, meetings, and schedules. One that will alarm me a day or two in advance would be nice as well and bring up a clients resume or file that I’ve made. Thanks