Lone Star Foodservice Maximizes Customer Service with ProVisions ERP Software

AUSTIN, Texas - Feb. 23, 2015 - PRLog -- January 9, 2015 -- Computer Associates (CAI), developers of the ProVisions Meat Processing ERP Software (www.caisoft.com/provisions) today announced that Lone Star Foodservice of Austin, Texas has chosen CAI’s ProVisions software to improve customer service and visibility across their operations.

Lone Star Foodservice is a family-owned purveyor of high-quality, Prime and high Choice steaks, chops and other meat products. With a history that dates back more than 60 years, the company provides product to fine dining establishments throughout Texas, including Austin, Houston, the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, San Antonio and elsewhere. The company also services national chain accounts and maintains a fleet of nine trucks to deliver fresh steaks to its customers.

Lone Star operates a state-of-the-art climate controlled facility and utilizes advanced portion-control technologies to produce reliably consistent products. In addition, the company maintains a one-of-a-kind, custom dry-aging room, and employs an artisanal steak trimming team having a combined two centuries of experience.

What sets Lone Star apart is a decision made seven years ago to take the business in a new direction towards meat suppliers using sustainable, responsible practices. Franklin Hall, CEO of Lone Star Foodservice said, “Our focus on sustainability is embodied in our ongoing partnership with Niman Ranch—a network of over 650 ranchers using sustainable grazing and humane husbandry methods and other conscientious suppliers.

"We are very pleased with our decision to implement CAI’s ProVisions software,” Hall said. “Their understanding of our day-to-day challenges, both as a processor and distributor, and insight into industry best practices, was evident during the evaluation and software implementation process.  We know we’ve made a great choice for a technology partner.”

A key benefit of the ProVisions software is in improving operational efficiencies and overall visibility. “In the short time that we have been utilizing the system, we’ve been able to significantly improve visibility across all areas of our business, perhaps most notably in our packing area,” Hall added. “Our legacy packing software and stations consisted of only a barcode reader and a label printer. If the system generated a label we assumed everything had been done correctly and the right product was being packed and sent to the right customer.”

“With ProVisions, our production control room, cutting floor and packing and staging areas are completely integrated so we’re able to confirm that we’re packing the correct order for the customer, along with anything else important on each order. The software provides all the capabilities of a state-of-the-art processing and packing department,” Hall said.

No matter what or how you process, ProVisions will help you cut costs, increase production yields, maximize cutting station efficiency and achieve total traceability. The solution combines production-ready workstations, electronic scales, bar code label printers and specialized processing and packing software.  ProVisions’ convenient tools also simplify lot tracking through production, accurately account for processed inventory, access raw materials yields (by-product accounting) and calculate the exact costs for finished goods.

Jim McCooey, President of Computer Associates said, “When sales orders are entered, ProVisions creates an aggregate production planning report. Alternatively, individual packers can query the system for specific production orders to be viewed on their packing workstation, highlighting the exact product and precise weights to be cut or packed. Quantities packed are automatically rolled up to calculate exact yields and for use in work order receipts later. Packers can also add truck route information.”

Lone Star Foodservice is also impressed with ProVisions’ flexible pricing capabilities. “With ProVisions, we’re able to manage very complex, customer-specific pricing with ease, including staging pricing for the next week in a fraction of the time that it used to require,” Hall said.

About ProVisions ERP Software

Whether you’re a meat processor requiring portion control and custom cutting capabilities, a specialty food processor using bills of materials or recipes to cook, bake, fry, mix or assemble your products, ProVisions gives you the tools you need to improve inventory control, increase production yields, pinpoint and reduce costs, improve service and respond quickly to a food safety issue. The software’s integrated, easy-to-use software tools help you meet the challenges of weight-based, commodity-priced products where yields, lot and portion control, by-product accounting, settlement processing and multiple freezer/warehouse locations are of paramount importance.  For more information, visit http://www.caisoft.com/provisions.

About Lone Star Foodservice

Lone Star Foodservice is a family owned wholesale meat company, whose mission is to source and deliver the finest cuts of natural beef, pork and lamb to tables across Texas. Established in 1952, our goal is to supply quality meats and unmatched service to our clients. Our commitment includes partnering with local farms and ranches, and marketing exceptional brands such as all natural Niman Ranch and Certified Angus Beef®. For more information, visit http://www.lonestarfood.com.