【Business Weekly | Trend Report】 

Enterprises' Digital Upgrades in the Post-Pandemic Era

With over 700 chain breakfast and brunch stores across Taiwan, My Warm Day Cafe&Brunch has undergone a transformation in response to market competition and shifts in dining preferences. Going beyond the traditional breakfast shop framework, they have revitalized store ambiance, diversified meal options, and enhanced dining atmospheres. Furthermore, they have actively embraced digitization and systemization. Behind this strategy, one of the driving forces is the ServiceJDC system developed by Mercuries Data Systems.

In fact, My Warm Day Cafe&Brunch's affiliated enterprise, Super Qin Enterprise, a significant chicken supplier in Northern Taiwan, underwent corporate restructuring in 2015. They merged My Warm Day Cafe&Brunch, Fried Chicken Master, and REAL Café Bread to establish YoungQin International, becoming two separate companies. Super Qin Enterprise focuses on meat production, while YoungQin International specializes in managing chain franchise dining brands and international expansion. Although these two enterprises have distinct missions, they share a common approach to data and system integration. By collecting internal and external data and implementing systems, they optimize operations and management.

Developed by Mercuries Data Systems, ServiceJDC addresses the data recording and analysis challenges in industries with fieldwork characteristics. It pioneered the Software as a Service (SaaS) model for cloud-based fieldwork management by connecting mobile apps with a backend web management platform. This platform facilitates dispatching, map tracking, customer management, electronic approvals and forms, equipment management, and statistical analysis for administrators or in-house staff.

On the other hand, field workers like sales representatives and supervisors use the mobile app to view pre-scheduled daily tasks, work locations, and receive real-time task updates from the company. This enables clock-ins, task reporting, and instant communication. All work history, data records, signatures, etc., are instantly uploaded to the cloud, digitalizing service information comprehensively. Moreover, this data can be integrated with the company's existing systems using APIs.

Utilizing ServiceJDC for Data Collection Instead of Developing Costly In-House Systems

Liu Nengcheng, Manager of the Information Department at YoungQin International, stated that considering company strategies, My Warm Day Cafe&Brunch was among the first in the industry to develop systematic branding. They integrated store Point of Sale (POS) data with headquarters operations management systems. However, they discovered that POS data alone wasn't sufficient. Data beyond the POS, such as sales representatives' store expansion progress and supervisor assessment records, was missing. This deficiency hindered the comprehensive evaluation of operational processes and optimization. Consequently, they initiated system development research.

Liu admitted that in 2015, they indeed considered self-development, but finding information technology talent was challenging. Professionals in the IT field usually prefer software or electronics industries, making it difficult to cultivate information talent for the food and beverage sector. Additionally, the restaurant market changes rapidly, and systems often can't universally apply. Given the scarcity of talent, self-programming and maintenance were daunting. Hence, in 2017, they opted for ServiceJDC.

YoungQin International's IT department, manager, Liu Nengcheng, made the decision to adopt ServiceJDC in 2017. Image/Provided by MDS

Liu said that considering labor and operational costs, outsourcing was practical. ServiceJDC boasts a user-friendly interface, requiring only basic training for regular users or IT staff to operate. During the initial implementation, Mercuries Data Systems provided substantial assistance through dedicated consultants, confirming product suitability before signing contracts. All data can be integrated with the company's own data systems using APIs. In terms of security, they trust the well-established reputation of Mercuries Data Systems and the stability provided by AWS's cloud, making it more reliable than self-development or setting up proprietary data centers.

Enhancing Store Expansion Speed and Management Efficiency with ServiceJDC

Liu highlighted that for YoungQin International, including My Warm Day Cafe&Brunch, Fried Chicken Master, and REAL Café Bread, continuous expansion in the Taiwan market requires effective data collection. This applies to frontline sales development and post-expansion management supervision.

Liu analyzed that the early roles of sales and supervisors involved collecting extensive data. However, practical data collection was challenging without suitable tools. Previously, they used paper records for sales and supervisor visits, often noting details after returning from visits. Delays occurred if they finished late or didn't return to the office, creating gaps in data recording. As a result, frontline managers couldn't receive timely data, leading to delayed progress tracking and work efficiency.

Additionally, Liu mentioned that during franchise expos, they received many potential customer lists. Organizing these lists for visitation tasks, timings, and tracking progress was challenging. With ServiceJDC, they can easily assign visitation tasks, track records, and follow up on contracts and expansion progress. The app's photo and location features facilitate monitoring store progress and performance.

Regarding post-expansion management, supervising and lowering attrition rates are key areas. Liu noted that frontline store supervisors play a crucial role here. The current operational management process stipulates periodic store visits by supervisors each year. However, each supervisor is responsible for managing dozens of stores, resulting in numerous daily records and visitation tasks. Depending on human memory to record these tasks is unreliable.

Furthermore, Liu emphasized that the initial months before opening are crucial for stores and headquarters. These periods involve various challenges in both internal and external services or order processing. Immediate supervision and guidance are essential. ServiceJDC simplifies this by assigning and recording visitation tasks through the app, allowing supervisors to manage progress and performance.

ServiceJDC facilitates store expansion and operational management optimization at YoungQin International. Image/Provided by MDS

Embracing Full-Scale Support from ServiceJDC

Liu highlighted that aside from improving store expansion speed and management efficiency, ServiceJDC is an excellent starting point for integrating and analyzing operational management processes. Former paper-based records of sales and supervisory activities were often difficult to find and analyze. Transitioning these records from paper to digital format was time-consuming and lacked real-time analysis.

Through ServiceJDC, data management is integrated into operational optimization mechanisms. YoungQin International utilized ServiceJDC to create various assessment forms. Supervisors only need to input numbers, and the system automatically calculates scores for analysis. Beyond analysis, data recorded in ServiceJDC is also used for training and experience sharing. New supervisors can inherit experience and knowledge from the system instead of relying on word-of-mouth training from predecessors.

Furthermore, Liu mentioned that data collection tasks were assigned to frontline staff, including obtaining competitive industry data such as event schedules and discount methods. When store performance needed review, they could analyze and make informed decisions.

Illustration of ServiceJDC Interface Image/Provided by MDS

YoungQin International used data records from ServiceJDC to strengthen their position at franchise expos. These records included market conditions and operational management insights, providing solid evidence. Liu emphasized that breakfast and brunch franchises now attract not just retirees but also young people who are open to data analysis and systemization.

Cloud-Based Record Keeping for Chicken Farming

ServiceJDC has diverse applications. Wu Mingyuan, Deputy Manager of the Analysis Department at Super Qin Enterprise, explained how they use ServiceJDC to track chicken farming data for their chicken supply needs. Frontline staff record chicken farm temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and growth process, including size data, all of which is stored on the cloud for analysis.

Wu analyzed that past chicken farming records were paper-based, posing difficulties in preservation, statistical analysis, and especially time delays. Chickens take about five weeks to grow to maturity. Different chicken sizes have varying values. Without timely access to farming data, there could be missed opportunities to meet market demands. ServiceJDC records all chicken-related data, enabling timely responses to market needs. It even aids decisions about the number of chickens to raise and when to catch them. Such on-site farming data is essential for analysis.

Scenarios of Applying ServiceJDC Image/Provided by MDS

Both YoungQin International and Super Qin Enterprise aim to apply ServiceJDC to manage equipment in stores and factories. They will establish system files for each device based on numbers, names, and models, enabling real-time maintenance history and analysis.

Min Wang, a consultant for ServiceJDC, explained that ServiceJDC adopts a cloud service model, eliminating the need for a substantial upfront system development cost. Clients can explore the system online before deciding on a payment plan. The platform is versatile and supported by professional consultants. Currently, enterprises with five or fewer personnel can use it for free. To learn more, visit the ServiceJDC official website.