CALCMENU joined hundreds of exhibitors in the recently concluded Igeho exhibition for international food, catering and hospitality companies held in Basel, Switzerland. In the 5-day affair of one of Europe’s most important events for the foodservice industry, EGS CALCMENU’s CEO Marc Enggist presented the different EGS solutions to CALCMENU’s visitors as well as showed a sneak peek of CALCMENU’s newest recipe management solution – CALCMENU Cloud. This cloud-based recipe management solution is geared to be formally launched in 2012.

Enggist noted a remarkable number of interested clients and visitors for CALCMENU’s recipe and back office management solutions, as well as its latest solution for 2012 -- CALCMENU Cloud. Many signed up to receive updates and information once this cloud-based solution is launched in the market. CALCMENU Cloud offers convenience on accessibility which is one of the most sought-after features paving the most current direction to the software’s future. Moreover, present strategies are providing customized solutions for medium to large groups of foodservice professionals who need recipe management, menu planning, nutritional analysis and more.

Loyal CALCMENU clients were also welcomed at the booth to update their solutions, with the CEO himself assuring them to expect better before- and after-sales service, prompt customer support and faster delivery of products and information.

Also at Igeho, Mr. Roger Zeender of Kisotec has been appointed as the exclusive Swiss distributor for the German-speaking regions of EGS CALCMENU solutions. Zeender is a Federal Diploma Chef / Production Manager and a Global Master Chef in the World Association of Chef Societies (WACS). His expertise expands EGS’ market across Switzerland and strengthens the training and support base in the country and other parts of the world.

To know more about EGS’ latest offering -- CALCMENU Cloud, visit www.calcmenu.com or e-mail us at info@eg-software.com.

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The IGEHO Expo to be held at Basel, Switzerland on November 19-23, 2011 pools together international food, catering and hospitality companies in a five-day event to showcase the newest products and services in the food and hospitality industry. It is one of Europe’s most important events for the foodservice industry.

In Igeho, CALCMENU will exhibit its recipe and back office management solutions for the foodservice industry. CALCMENU carries a product line that caters to the requirements of chefs, food and beverage managers, restaurant owners, food manufacturing companies, hospitals, franchise management, and other hospitality services.

The Igeho Expo creates the perfect venue for EGS to meet foodservice professionals in need of recipe and menu management solutions. To learn more about these and other EGS Solutions, visit the EGS booth at Hall 2.1/Stand D36 of the IGEHO Expo. Better yet, you can browse through www.eg-software.com and give us a call at +41 32 544-0017 or fax +41 32 753 0275. You can also email info@eg-software.com.

Check out the EGS CALCMENU Facebook Fan Page or follow us on Twitter for more interactive updates on our solutions and learn from our industry partners. Join the bandwagon and connect with other food professionals, chefs, restaurateurs and food enthusiasts while learning about EGS software. There are interesting articles, comments and posts from the international food biz.

Social networking allows you to easily connect with EGS by getting the latest buzz on the go. Know the latest updates to our solutions, features, new developments and services, and see who’s using EGS Solutions like you!

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Using a recipe management software but want to switch to EGS CALCMENU?

Worried that you have to re-encode all your recipes from a previous database?

Worry no more! EGS offers database conversion to make your current recipe database compatible with EGS CALCMENU.

If you are currently using Kochtopf, Eatec and other similar recipe management software and you want to use EGS CALCMENU instead, EGS can convert your collection of recipes without losing information so you can still use these recipes in EGS CALCMENU.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

Need help? EGS CALCMENU has the following Support numbers to accommodate your different needs:

German, French, English
+41 848 000 357

English Only
USA Toll Free Number: +1 800 964 9357 (24/7)
Europe: +41 22 533 1417 (24/7)
Europe: +41 32 544 0017 (morning)
Asia: +632 687 3179 (office hours)

We’re a phone call away and we’ll always be glad to assist you.

The sky is the limit when EGS CALCMENU cooks up another NEW and exciting Recipe Management Solution to launch in Igeho this November 19-23!

Join us and be the first to experience as CALCMENU showcases the latest of its products among worldwide known solutions during IGEHO - the international exhibition for hotels, catering, and the dining industry held in Basel, Switzerland. The 5-day trade show brings together hundreds of exhibitors from over 20 countries. Mark your calendars and see you there!

• Additional sorting option - In printing menu details, recipe printouts can be sorted by their position in the menu. For example, the first recipe listed in the menu will be the first recipe in the printout.

• Very useful new reports added– We have added reports:
  

  ▪	Recipe (967) - contains the following sections: Header and Ingredients, Preparation, Recipe Cost, Nutrients and Picture;
  ▪	Production (968) – a recipe production report that has the following sections: Header and Ingredients, Preparation, Recipe Cost, Nutrients and Pictures. Proposals using the same menu plan item are listed.

• ABC Classification – added an option on which transactions, whether Input or Output, to base the classification of inventory.
• Optimized closing of inventory.
• Optimized the function of adding to stock in the Delivery Receipt and Receiving modules.

• Nutrient Calculation. You can link recipe ingredients to products in international nutrient databases such as USDA, ASA or BLS. Nutrient values are automatically calculated whenever you add or remove an ingredient from a recipe. These nutrient values can also be printed in an easy-to-read format.

• Allergens and Pseudo-allergens. Identify allergens and pseudo-allergens in recipe ingredients. The allergens and pseudo-allergens in ingredients are automatically assigned to recipes and menus using them.

In CALCMENU Web, aside from Nutrient Calculation, you can also identify GDA values.

• GDA or Guideline Daily Amounts. GDA fields are available for Energy, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, and other nutrients. You can select which nutrients you want to include in the GDA list and identify the standard GDA values for each nutrient. GDA promotes better understanding on how different foods contribute in achieving a healthier diet and it makes it easy to see at a glance key information about the nutrients of a food item. The GDA feature is an optional feature. An additional fee applies to this feature.

• Unlimited priority support through phone, fax, e-mail, and Internet chat - We assist you all the way in solving any installation and configuration problems. We provide step-by-step instructions to guide you through any unfamiliar feature.

• Updates and new features– Get access to any of our downloadable software updates, complete setups, electronic versions of our user guides, and other useful documentation. You will always have the latest version of our software and benefit from any of its enhancements, new features, new reports, etc.

• Fixes, tips, advices, and more - Get assistance in fixing database problems, restoring lost password, plus tips on how to use and configure our software. Remember, our competent customer support team members are waiting for your calls.

• Remote Assistance – Let our operator connect remotely to your computer to take you out of a difficult situation... while you are watching!

Get free recipes from RecipeCenter.com. Like the RecipeCenter fan page in Facebook!

Check out EGS on different social networking sites for more interactive updates on our solutions and learn from our industry partners. Join the bandwagon and connect with other food professionals, chefs, restaurateurs and food enthusiasts while learning about EGS software. There are interesting articles, comments and posts from the international food biz.

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
  
• Connect with us on LinkedIn
  
• Join us on Ecademy
  

Social networking allows you to easily connect with EGS and be in by the getting the latest buzz on the go. Know the latest updates to our solutions, features, new developments and services, and see who’s using EGS Solutions like you!

Menu Engineering is one of the newest features for CALCMENU Web and F&B Control.

Increase profitability, decrease food cost.
Menu Engineering allows you to evaluate your menus to achieve your cost and profit objectives. It is an analysis tool that will assist you in finding the right price for each of your menu item. You adjust the values of Menu Price and Sold Items and see how it affects your menu and profitability.

Know which meals on the menu to promote, which meal to improve, which meal to retire.

To know more about Menu Engineering, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

Managing costs has always been an important function in the hospitality and food service industry and never more so than in the current times. The impact that food cost has on the overall profitability of a food service company is immense, one wrong purchase decision can slip the company into the red. The aim of all successful operators is to monitor and manage costs carefully in order to obtain maximum profitability.

The use of a dedicated recipe costing and menu planning solution is the key to managing food cost and inventory levels. Maintaining a healthy balance sheet, with no dead inventory nor last minute cash purchases, both of which eat into the profitability.

EGS CALCMENU and EGS F&B Control are software solutions that have been created specifically for the food service industry. These solutions are available in 12 languages and are in use in over 50 countries across the globe, ranging from independent restaurants to some of the world’s largest food service companies. There is a solution to serve each type of operator.

Investing on software such as EGS CALCMENU and EGS F&B Control to formulate menu pricing strategies and control inventories can dramatically decrease food costs and notably increase profits. While many property management software's offer recipe costing and menu planning as part of their product, few can match the encompassing solutions and ease of use of the EGS suite of solutions. View an online demo now to see how you too can benefit from this solution. You must be signed in on the EGS website to view the online demo.

CALCMENU Web offers many new features for 2011!

Monitor user activities and statistics in CALCMENU Web. With the new feature Auditing User Logs, authorized users can keep track of CALCMENU Web log ins recording the number of visits per user and the timestamp of his access. You can filter the log for a particular time period.

Auditing User Logs will help you make decisions about organization and licensing and knowing what recipes are popular among your site’s users.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

CALCMENU Web offers many new features for 2011!

Create step-by-step instructions on how to prepare ingredients of a recipe. The CALCMENU Web feature Production Instruction allows you to illustrate complicated steps by using pictures for a more visual and clearer understanding of the procedure which can also be printed out.

The Production Instruction feature saves you time in training old and new staff and lets your staff follow all instructions easily and accurately. In this way, dishes are prepared the same way.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

CALCMENU Web offers many new features for 2011!

The Procedure Template is a helpful addition to CALCMENU Web especially for companies who want to maintain a strict and standard procedure in food production among all their outlets. The template provides a clear structure on the chronology of the steps to be taken from food preparation down to serving. The Procedure Template is divided into sections: preparation, cooking, plating/garnishing and serving (more sections can be added) and each section contain the precise details on how and what actions are to be done.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

Plating and food presentation play a huge role on how we experience food. People eat with their eyes and it is important that there is consistency in how a dish is presented.

CALCMENU Web now has a feature called Plating Instructions. This feature allows you to define cutlery, garnishes and serving presentation of each of your recipes. Your staff will get clear instructions, avoid mistakes and prepare consistent presentation of dishes. For more convenience, you can print the plating instructions and distribute it to your staff.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

Using a recipe management software but want to switch to EGS CALCMENU?

Worried that you have to re-encode all your recipes from a previous database?

Worry no more! EGS offers database conversion to make your current recipe database compatible with EGS CALCMENU.

If you are currently using Kochtopf, Eatec and other similar recipe management software and you want to use EGS CALCMENU instead, EGS can convert your collection of recipes without losing information so you can still use these recipes in EGS CALCMENU.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

Here’s a quick guide to help you use CALCMENU and F&B Control using a Mac.

Click a link below and save the file in your computer.

• Using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) – recommended
• Using Emulator (Parallels)
  

For any questions, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

The government may impose new tax rates from time to time. This may concern you for the incoming year. To keep your records updated in CALCMENU, F&B Control or in CALCMENU Web, you can check out these instructions on how to modify tax rates:

• in CALCMENU
• in F&B Control
• in CALCMENU Web
  

For any questions, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

Restaurant menus may easily be dismissed as a mere list of food selections until one takes a look at the true power it holds in making or breaking the success of any restaurant business. The menu directly reflects your restaurant’s personality and concept, and is a major factor in its profitability. It is actually the strongest and most consistent internal-marketing tool your restaurant employs. The menu is the only advertising material for your restaurant that you can be a 100% sure will be read by the guest and will directly influence them on their food choices, as well as the amount of money that will be spent.

Thus, aside from remarkable dishes and ambiance, a well-designed and well-engineered menu should also be on top of a restaurant’s priority list. Treat the menu as if your entire food business depends on it because it really does! Ample planning and research on customer demographics and pyschographics should be done as they directly influence the type of menu and food items you should have. Several factors should also be considered: location, competition and importantly, your restaurant’s operational costs: food costs, profit, etc.

Read the rest of the blog here.

Image source: http://blog.timesunion.com

Wine Management Module in F&B Control is an optional module for managing your wine inventory. This Module is ideal for restaurants, bars, hotels, wine companies and other establishments. Clients can monitor their wine inventory with this Module.

With Wine Management, you can identify information like bottle location, quantity, price, sales, inventory levels and much more. It stores wine attributes such as producer, variety, vintage and origin. It is a powerful and user-friendly interface that lets you organize, catalog, search and manage your wine records.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

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Click here to send a testimonial for any of our products which is most useful to you.

Software as a Service is slowly becoming the future of most software development companies. This business transforms software from products to more of a service. Now, EGS offers this service in its software solutions.

Why use Software as a Service?*

With Software as a Service, you can:

• Use the full version of the EGS software but spend less than buying the actual software. Service fee is as low as $35* a month.
• Pay only for the times you will use the software. You can drop the service anytime.
• Use the latest and updated version without worrying about maintenance, installation and backing up of database.
• Have a more cost-effective, more accessible software.

How does Software as a Service work?
Software as a Service is accessed via Internet and Remote Desktop Protocol which is found in most computers. The EGS software is installed in the EGS server. Login details are given to the users in order to be able to access the server and use the EGS software. You can use the service within a limited time period (minimum of 3 months). Access and use are disabled once the user reaches the end of the service period and you did not renew the service.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

*Terms and conditions apply.

How-To documents are now available for download. Learn how to work with CALCMENU Pro/Enterprise and F&B Control by using the How-To documents. How-To documents are step-by-step instructional guides that explain how to use the different features and how to improve usage in EGS programs.

Find how to do a specific transaction or record data by downloading the How-To document that you need. With the How-To documents, you can easily learn specific tasks in EGS programs. You can also save time and lessen errors while working with EGS programs since you are guided in every step with procedures and images.

How-To documents can be accessed and downloaded by going to the EGS Web site. The How-Tos page will display all available How-To documents for each program.

Check out the EGS-CALCMENU Facebook Fan Page or follow EGS on Twitter for more interactive updates on our solutions and learn from our industry partners. Join the bandwagon and connect with other food professionals, chefs, restaurateurs and food enthusiasts while learning about EGS software. There are interesting articles, comments and posts from the international food biz.

Social networking allows you to easily connect with EGS and be in by the getting the latest buzz on the go. Know the latest updates to our solutions, features, new developments and services, and see who’s using EGS Solutions like you!

Nowadays, people are always on the move. Business is done not only inside the office but in other places such as in a restaurant, coffee shop, airports, malls, library, etc. As more and more people are away from their offices and still want to do their work, EGS is proposing a new system of accessing recipe and back office management programs for the foodservice industry.

EGS Remote Access is a new system where EGS hosts CALCMENU Enterprise and F&B Control programs for clients. With EGS Remote Access, CALCMENU Enterprise and F&B Control are installed in the EGS server. With the use of a username and password, a client can access CALCMENU Enterprise and F&B Control via the remote server computer. Clients can access these programs even if they are away from their office. The programs need not be installed in the computer which the client is using.

EGS will do all the installation and maintenance work of CALCMENU Enterprise and F&B Control. Clients can access these programs anywhere and there is no need to worry about updates, upgrades, backups, installation issues, etc. EGS will do all of these for the client.

Existing EGS clients and those interested in using EGS Solutions can avail of this new system.

Click here to access the demo (you will be asked to register if you don't have an account yet).

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

EGS now offers EGS Suite, a complete solution for the foodservice industry that will take care of all your POS and back office operations. Use EGS Suite to have better control of your food costs and increase your profits.

EGS Suite has powerful tools so you can create recipes and menus, do food and labor costing, manage purchases and deliveries and monitor inventory. You can also handle table reservations, record sales transactions and accept payments. Reports can be printed for record-keeping or presentation purposes. Do all of these and more with EGS Suite!

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

Experience the benefits of using CALCMENU and/or F&B Control  on a Mac computer. You can run them using any of these three options:

• Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) - recommended
• Emulator
• Bootcamp

Using the Remote Desktop Protocol. With the RDP option, you only need a Remote Desktop Connection Client for your Mac and a stable Internet connection. This tool can be freely downloaded online. It enables you to remotely connect to the EGS server where CALCMENU or F&B Control is installed. Here, you can work with the program as if it is installed on your own Mac. There is no additional software downloads nor installation required. You only have to subscribe to the EGS Remote Access Service so you can use EGS Solutions on your Mac. Click here to access the demo (you will be asked to register if you don't have an account yet).

Using an Emulator. Emulation software such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion allows you to install Microsoft Windows Operating system in a virtual environment. It enables you to run a Windows-based application alongside your Mac applications.

Using Bootcamp. A Mac which runs on Leopard or Snow Leopard OSx has a Bootcamp utility built into it. Bootcamp allows you to install Windows in your Mac computer. Windows is installed on its own partition where you can run Windows-based application natively. For more information on running Bootcamp on your Mac, you can refer to the Apple Support page for Bootcamp.

For more information, contact us at info@eg-software.com.

• Take your database with you! - Open any CALCMENU database just like any other file, browse for the file and open it! The CALCMENU database can even be placed on a USB flash drive so you can conveniently bring it with you whenever, wherever!

• Get Allergens and even Pseudo-Allergens information for all your recipes and menus– These important information are very useful to ensure that your customers know about potential risks from flavor enhancers, dyes and preservatives.

• Keep your product list up to date with standard Supplier Networks - Update your price list in a few mouse clicks from Supplier Networks such as Scana, Pistor and now, Howeg. An additional fee applies to this feature.

• Standardize your ingredient declaration – You may now improve your ingredients declaration by standardizing the recipe ingredients with the help of our new tool. Ingredients can be sorted and displayed by weight percentage.

• Define the recipe’s weight before and after cooking- Have a more accurate nutrient calculation and cost calculation with the addition of the recipe weight from before and after cooking procedures.

• Improved Production module – Create finished goods directly in CALCMENU. You can also work faster by sending menus directly to the Production Module in F&B Control. A more efficient time saver!

• Take your database with you! - Open any F&B Control database just like any other file, browse for the file and open it! The F&B Control database can even be placed on a USB flash drive so you can conveniently bring it with you whenever, wherever!

• Emphasize, Focus and Prioritize on the most important items with the ABC Analysis feature – A sensible tool for viewing significant products. You may now print reports, do inventories, etc. while concentrating only on the items that matter!

• A new and useful Return to Supplier Module – F&B Control can now handle the return to your suppliers for you! An efficient and practical feature for returning empty containers (bottles, cases, etc.), food items you do not need anymore, batch recall or other purposes for return.

• Solution for combo meals – F&B Control can record the correct drink served (iced tea, lemonade or soda) for set meals. This flexibility also allows for substitutions of desserts, side dishes or even the main item. Great for combo meals!

• Butcher Test Module – From within F&B Control, prepare butcher test analysis for meat or vegetables. Calculate the cost of each sub-items accurately when you buy a wholesale cut of meat, to easily determine the standard costs per portion.
  
  For example, you bought Tenderloin beef. You prepare it and specify that you get 9% of tip,20% of ground beef, 55% of filet and 15% of waste. You can also use it for vegetables like “Turned Carrots”. You buy carrots, and you have 15% wastage in peeling and 25% wastage in turning, so 60% is left of Turned Carrots. Each part has its costing. You can reuse this analysis next time your purchase Tenderloin beef or Turned Carrots.

• Easy Wine Management with F&B Control – Enter detailed information about your wine (country, region, sub-region, producer, wine type and grape varieties). Wine Management is developed to answer the needs of the foodservice industry for a wine inventory program. This feature also allows you to search, organize wine attributes, attach PDF files or brochures related to specific wines and print wine lists. You have access to wine information in just a few clicks!

• Very useful new reports added – We have added reports:

Avail a 20% discount when you purchase an EGS Software. Promo is until April 20, 2009 only.

Promo Mechanics:

1. This Promo is open to all new and existing clients of EGS.

2. 20% discount is given to new purchases of any EGS Software (CALCMENU Chef, CALCMENU Pro, CALCMENU Enterprise, F&B Control, CALCMENU Web Academic and CALCMENU Web Private) including additional licenses and modules but excluding customization requests.

3. Discount is also not applicable for support, support renewal, training and shipping costs.

4. Order and payments should be received during the promo period. Client should shoulder bank transfer fees if payments will be sent via bank/wire transfer.

5. Promo period is until April 20, 2009 only.

While prices of other recipe management solutions are going up, we at EGS are offering you a chance to manage your recipes and menus at a lower cost. Grab this opportunity now and avail of this 20% discount promo!

For more information about this promo, contact us at info@eg-software.com.