Roseville, CA – Schoolhouse Software, Inc., announced today the introduction of CafTRAC Scanned Applications – the 11th module in its integrated software suite targeting the point-of-sale and business management needs of school food services operations.
Scanned Applications, or "Scanned Apps," is a Windows-based software and hardware solution that is unique in the industry. Scanned Apps uses a "bubble-in" type of application form coupled with a high-speed scanner to virtually eliminate the time consuming task of keying student meal applications. The beginning of the school year is the busiest time of the year for most school food service departments, because that’s when families requesting federal or state aid for lunches submit applications. The larger food services departments often times must hire additional staff just to key and file thousands of applications that must be processed within 10 days of receipt to meet funding deadlines.
The speed and efficiency gains being realized by school districts are impressive. Districts that have adopted Schoolhouse Software’s Scanned Applications are processing their free and reduced meal applications in one-third the time it had previously taken. "With 20,000 meal applications, our total time spent processing these applications was reduced from 10 days to less than 3 days," says Judy Oakes of the Rialto Unified School District. "Not only is the software smart enough to know that applicants are likely to complete portions incorrectly, we are finding fewer errors as compared to the old way and the software does a great job of detecting these errors for immediate on screen correction."
Food service managers using Scanned Applications report that inquiries from parents and staff about the status of a child’s application or eligibility were nearly eliminated because applications were processed so quickly. Moreover, Geri Houghton of the Corona-Norco Unified School District says, "Reimbursements were up since students did not fall off the eligibility rosters during the first 30 days of the new school year."
There are hidden timesavings in the filing of the applications, too. The Scanned Apps software generates a professional report that details the application information and resulting eligibility, complete with date stamp and signature line. The processor simply signs and attaches the stack of applications for easy filing, versus having to sign every single application.
"We looked at the entire process for meal applications, from start to finish. Scanned Applications is a perfect example of taking our years of experience in using bubble forms in other applications and applying that expertise to streamline an otherwise inefficient process. The result is a huge return on investment for food service operations with an extremely short payback period," adds Bob LeVine, President of Schoolhouse Software.
About Schoolhouse Software, Inc.
Schoolhouse Software, Inc. (“SSI”) improves the lives of people in the education arena. The company develops point of sale and back office administrative software that enables food service managers to run more efficient and profitable cafeteria operations. SSI also provides an information systems solution that assists administrators of the largest adult and vocational school districts in the country in managing their student enrollment and maintaining accurate records. SSI is a major supplier to state and county education departments, school districts and K-12 food service administrators with over 16 years experience in these markets and an installed base of systems serving the administrative needs of 4.5 million students and 25,000 classes in 12 states.
For more information about Scanned Applications, please contact Julie Acres at 1-800-683-2234.
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