Jamix

Challenge: Making sure the information systems used at work are easy to use and modern

The ERP system offered by Jamix for professional kitchens is quite a comprehensive package. It includes, among others, grocery order management, menu planning, cost and nutritional value calculation, inventory functions, procurement, and meal order management.

Jamix has witnessed a development cycle in the field of professional kitchens for decades, during which practical work has taught them to use increasingly efficient and easy-to-use software solutions. It is important that the system not only meets all the requirements of organizations in the field, but also functions efficiently and intuitively in everyday life.

– Our customers’ main job is cooking. Therefore, it is important to remember that technology is not the main support function in this work, although it is crucial. Typical uses of the system are, for example, purchase orders and inventories. An efficient system supports convenient ordering and, for example, barcode- or camera-based inventory work, says Timo Lehto, Chief Operating Officer of Jamix.

Solution: Out to the world

Jamix’s collaboration with Pinja began as part of a software development and Power BI development project in 2018, when data-driven analytics was built into Jamix’s core product. It allowed data to be presented to users in an even clearer, visual format.

Since then, the partnership has expanded in many directions, including user experience design and mobile application development.

– We had good experiences with Pinja right from the BI collaboration, so it was easy and natural to continue the partnership. Pinja’s strengths are clearly interaction and communication, so the conversation is easy and simple. They understand both us and our industry, so it’s easy to plan things together, Lehto says.

It is important for Jamix’s customer base that the information systems used at work are easy to use and modern. At its best, the software works intuitively, assisting and streamlining work.

– Pinja has helped us with user interface design, among other things. We were impressed with how quickly we got the prototype on display, for example, and how easy and visual it was. It was great to see straight from the get-go what the final product might look like. Especially in mobile applications, good usability is of paramount importance to kitchen staff, Lehto states.

Jamix’s customer base includes a wide range of different types of restaurants and chains, cafeterias, municipalities, health and social services, grocery stores and educational institutions. The Finnish market already has good coverage and more than 2,500 customers, and the growth is increasing abroad.

Jamix began investing more in the United States a few years ago, and the work has begun to show. Names like Yale University and Hungry Planet, a manufacturer of vegan meat substitutes, can already be found on the customer roster. Cooperation with Pinja has also helped with the internationalization, and a richer portfolio means that it is easier to enter new markets.

A modern professional kitchen is responsible

Responsibility and sustainable development have become important themes in many industries, and the food industry is no exception. In fact, responsibility issues are even more prominent in the food industry, as products have a limited shelf life and end customers are increasingly interested in sustainability.

– Responsibility is key in our industry. We want to help our customers reduce their carbon footprint and minimize their waste. The software we provide is a key enabler in this regard. Customers have a desire to comprehensively manage their operations, place proportionate orders and minimize their food waste, and we offer encompassing tools for this, Lehto says.

The goal of Jamix’s software is to make everyday life easier for users. At the same time, we want to increase sales and track costs, collect waste data and thus streamline the entire chain.

Another significant trend is that professional kitchens want to provide their customers with increasingly accurate information about food and its origins. In addition to basic ingredient information, information on the product’s carbon footprint is slowly being added to product information. Properties, such as domesticity, organic quality and being vegan, are increasingly important.

– Today’s consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it’s prepared. The future of professional kitchens not only includes an increasing amount of product information but also more comprehensive production planning, from primary production to minimizing food wastage, Lehto says.

Also for this reason, Jamix intends to continue working closely with Pinja in the future.

– We will continue our joint work, for example, with the development of the mobile section, as well as further adjustments based on continuous user feedback. In addition, together we dive deeper and deeper into the world of BI collaboration and machine learning, Lehto plans.