SOFTWARE MANAGEMENT FEATURE
Operational efficiency Software is invariably used to help franchisors track stock, deliveries and bookings across the whole franchise network. With a system like XEUS, there is functionality to custom workflow processes to better manage the franchise’s operational processes. Over time, this can help improve operational efficiency by making valuable time and money savings across the network.
Customer activity can also be monitored, for at the heart of XEUS is a Customer Relationship Management system, or CRM, that enables franchisees to easily access and maintain their customer records. With XEUS, these records can be tailored
towards any sector to ensure that the customer information held has 100 per cent relevance to the business. For example, a web design company may want to store hosting information on their customers, or a letting agency might want to record many properties against one landlord. For the franchisor, having one central franchise management system means they have access to all the top-level financial information they need to effectively manage their network.
Harnessing the benefits of ‘big data’ Computerworld recently reported that: “Businesses today have to cope with powerful and demanding online communities, round-the-clock customer contact, ubiquitous mobile and tablet usage, and multiple customer touch points. All of these yield valuable customer behavioural data, which can be used by businesses to capitalise on customer relations, and all pose challenges to organisations’ IT infrastructures. The answer, for many organisations, is to boost their data processing capabilities in order to better meet their customers’ needs.” Corporate organisations have certainly woken up to the advantages of ‘big data’ and are already analysing this data to ensure that their products and services are best aligned to their customers’ requirements. Franchise networks on the other hand often struggle to put systems in place to gain this data, let alone analyse it.
A cloud-hosted management system can gather masses of data from all the corners of a franchise network. This gives the franchisor hugely valuable ‘big data’ such as the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, sales patterns, customer touch points and
feedback. This knowledge can then be used to further improve the franchise’s operations. The benefits of ‘big data’ are no longer the exclusive property of the big corporates and their budgets.
The cost of being in the driving seat Software is certainly helping a lot of franchisors get back in the driving seat of their business. It is enabling them to finally gain that visibility over their franchise operation – to see how it is performing and to help it compete more effectively. Of course software comes at a cost and even with its use of cloud technology, the likes of XEUS require financial commitment from a business. How many extra franchisees are needed to pay for such software? Probably only one or two but, in doing so, franchisors can build a robust, efficient and attractive franchise operation that will draw future franchisees to the business.
Factor
How many extra franchisees do you need to pay for the system?
Enable franchisees to sell more
Savings in franchise support time because of the system’s efficiencies
Savings in franchise administration staff costs
Total benefit
We often recommend mapping out this cost versus benefit analysis when considering such an investment in franchise managment software. To give you an example, we have used some estimates from Plug and Play below. Use the total column to calculate your own figures. n
Example eg 2 x franchisees at £25,000 each
eg 10% increase in sales over 2 years
eg £2000 per franchisee over 10 franchisees per year
eg £20,000 per year Approximately £250,000-£300,000 Total
Add your figures
Add your figures
Add your figures
Add your figures
SUMMARY
A growing franchise operation can pose a number of headaches for the franchisor. Whilst it is great that the business is doing well, that growth can result in diminished control over the whole operation and a weakening of the overall brand and service quality. Fortunately, software is helping franchisors get back in the driving seat and take control over their franchise operation. It is giving them the vital visibility they need over their network in order to manage it. It is also equipping franchisees with the support, resources and best practice guidance they need and right when they need it.
The systems being developed are no longer exclusive to the big franchise brands with their impressive budgets. Cloud-based solutions with their annual subscriptions and finance plans offer a more affordable route to this cutting edge technology. They also prevent the need for hefty IT expenditure in the likes of servers and IT networking.
XEUS Franchise Management Software will be at stand J160 at The National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham’s NEC, 4 and 5 October. Alternatively, you can find out more at
www.xeus.co.uk or by calling 01483 276 699.
Franchisor News Advertorial Feature | 29
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