Pacnet provide communication solutions to two modern Australian franchises

Pacnet recently spoke to a two modern Australian Franchises to ‘talk tech’ and to see what best practices are used to be successful in business, particularly when the current financial climate is slowing the growth of many Australian and international companies.  

Retail Food Group (RFG), the owner of the Donut King, Michel’s Patisserie, BB’s Café and Brumby’s Bakery chains has recently experienced the difference good technology makes to success in business.

Pacnet replaced RFG’s dial-up connections with a broadband network. The high-speed connection is always on and provides national coverage while using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology in a private IP network solution.

This technology allows security and efficiency, without the high price tag of a traditional private network. The MPLS technology is the ideal communication solution for very small businesses where innovation is appealing, but who often find the adoption of these technologies cost prohibitive.

RFG harnessed the power of the broadband network to facilitate a next-generation Point Of Sale (POS) system from Task Retail Technology. The communication system enables transaction-based, real-time sales data, terminal management and interactive promotions, and customer loyalty and technology.

Tony Alford, Chief Executive Officer of RFG says: “Our new POS solution connects our head office directly to every terminal and peripheral in every Donut King, Michel’s Patisserie, BB’s Café and Brumby’s Bakery store, anywhere across the globe, and it’s the direct, broadband-based connection that allows the real-time power.”

“We can now deliver exceptionally convenient and efficient service to customers of all four of our franchise systems. Our customers can enjoy and maximise value benefits from tailor-made promotions and coupons that are delivered directly to the customer at the point of sale. From a business perspective, dynamic marketing and customised product offerings increase up sell and cross promotional opportunities.

“We have an edge over our customers and this is exactly what we need to ensure our continued success during an economic slow down.”

According to Peter Beveridge, the Chief information officer of Harvey World Travel, his company was able to negotiate a better deal for franchisees by using the buying power of the group.

Mr Beveridge says that using Pacnet’s communication solutions means his company is able to offer franchisees a higher level of technical support, a dedicated Account Manager and a network that is more reliable and stable. Having just one supplier for both voice and data has made life easier and will continue to benefit the company as they elect to take on new technologies such as VoIP.

Mr Beveridge continued to say that the arrangement is more a business partnership than a supplier-client relationship. “Pacnet is actually geared up to deal with our business model of being a franchisor with franchisees who own their own business. This is much better than companies who can’t provide a standardised professional response or differentiate our franchisees as a business customer. They get involved in our strategies and our plans and our forward thinking – we work very closely with them.”

You may want to use technology to give your franchise an edge over your competitors, or you may want to look to use your buying power to receive better service and a better price.

Whatever business goals are in place, now is the best time to asses how communication technology and telecoms is underpinning the success of franchise businesses.