FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) By Operators who have become Optimum Control Clients...
 
close
  What kind of computer system do I need to be able to install and run Optimum Control?
 

IBM PC compatible system
Pentium 133 or Faster
32 Megs (64 Recommended)
Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT or ME
30 Meg Free Disk Space
Color Monitor (600x800 graphics mode)
Mouse

  I don't have a lot of computer experience, will I still be able to use the program?
 

Yes, the program has been designed to be easy to use. If you know the food service industry, you know Optimum Control.

  Do I need training?
 

No. The program is set up to be very easy to use. Many customers are entering inventory items within the first 10 minutes!

  Is Optimum Control a POS or Touch Screen System?
 

First and foremost Optimum Control is a "Food Costing Program", that is designed to be used as a "back office" restaurant management tool by helping you cost out your recipes and track inventory. It will work in conjunction with your POS system.

  Do I have to manually enter all my sales information?
 

Optimum Control provides two options. You can enter information manually by copying your till tape information ("z tape"). Using this method Optimum Control can list items in the same order as your till tape. The second option is to import information through your POS (polling software) directly into the program.

  Is Optimum Control an Accounting System or Program?
 

Optimum Control is not a FULL accounting system, rather a "back end" restaurant management program. It will interface with popular programs such as MYOB or Quickbooks. Sales information can be exported in other formats such as: MS Excel, dBase, 2/3, Lotus, MS Works, DIF, Text, Text With Headers, SQL, HTML and more. This will save you valuable time since it "codes" your invoices only once allocating them to the appropriate accounts!

  Does the program tell me Theoretical vs. Actual usage?
 

Absolutely. That is the end result of using Optimum Control. It will tell you exactly what stock you SHOULD have used, and what you ACTUALLY used.

  When I enter my purchases, how do I handle price changes? Are all my recipes updated?
 

When you enter your purchases (invoices) you can indicate a new price and upon saving the information, Optimum Control gives you the choice to update all of your recipes with the new price. You can indicate if this is a permanent price change, or if it is a "one time" change - you choose.

  Can I find out if my food costs are going up or down?
 

In the reports window, you can find out the last price paid (and percentage of change) or find out about all the price changes for a particular item and see them graphically. Find out yearly pricing trends, and how a price change affects all products containing an item.

  Can I enter my own units of measure?
 

Yes. While Optimum Control offers a wide array of pre-set units of measure you may add as many as you like quickly and easily.

  How long does it take to get "up and running" for an establishment with approximately 400 food items?
 

On the average you would be set up within 2 or 3 days. It is essential that you have a good idea of your recipes, and their yields to make the process run quickly. Tracrite also offers a "Book Of Yields" for reference to assist in making this process quicker, this handy tool contains 3000 measures and 300 foods!

  What kind of support do I get with my purchase? What about upgrades?
 

Optimum Control comes with your first year of technical support (additional years are $149 US) and set up support included. This service is available Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm C.S.T. Outside of these hours, there is a fee for technical support. Upgrades are included so that you are always up-to-date with the latest features, and these can be downloaded from online.

  Do you have a downloadable demo/trial version of your software?
 

Yes, we offer you both and something better! All Tracrite products are backed by our 30-day, unconditional, money-back guarantee. So order today and if you are not 100% satisfied with our software, simply return it for a full refund of the purchase price (excludes shipping & handling).

To order a Trial version, go to the home page of this Web site. Once there, simply select "Order our Trial Software". Here you will be able to order a Trial version or download a Web demo of Optimum Control.

 
close