Brulines: the verdict
What general areas have you been advising pubs on?
"Our emphasis has been on helping licensees reduce waste, manage staffing levels and improve beer quality and yield by using Brulines new i-draught system. Weekly reports have been sent to the licensees, who also have access to live data via a secure web site.
"The i-draught system uses Intelligent Flow Meters (IFM's) which monitor all beer served through each font recording the volume, flow rates and beer temperature. By comparing the dispensed volume with till data and delivery data the licensee is able to monitor and areas of wastage as well as beer served that doesn't get recorded in the till. The system also records whether lines are cleaned, using technology which can distinguish between beer, line cleaning fluid and water which in turn allows the licensee to ensure line cleaning standards are maintained within their pub.
"As well as the IFM's temperature probes were installed in every cellar ensuring the correct cellar temperatures are maintained."
What key changes have you advised the licensees to make in your category?
"During the project we identified issues including unnecessary beer wastage, poor line cleaning practices and equipment problems causing poor temperatures. In one particular case there was an issue with cellar temperature caused by a failure in the cooling system. Through the technology we were able to alert the licensee so they could rectify the problem quickly, avoiding any losses.
"A further example identified was over-dilution of line cleaning fluid. The IFM identified this and the licensee was able to correct the problem for future cleans.
"i-draught also enabled licensees to identify under utilised fonts which could be taken out or replaced with a brand that generated more sales. By removing these under utilised fonts it also removed the need for unnecessary line cleaning, reducing beer wastage and improving profitability."
As a category champion, what key messages did you look to tell the four pubs involved?
"The messages were clear: i-draught technology should play a positive part in developing business through helping minimise beer stock losses due to waste, improving yield, and ultimately increasing profit, as well as delivering greatly improved beer quality and customer satisfaction."
Where your advice has been taken up, how successful have your changes been?
"The information provided by the i-draught system solved immediate practical problems with beer and cellar temperatures as well as identifying unnecessary wastage, improving yield and identifying poor line cleaning practices. The licensee was also able to use the data to tackle longer term business change such as tap utilisation, beer brand selection, staff training, promotions and staffing levels."
As a company, are there any learnings from working with our pubs that you can take forward to other customers?
"It reinforced our opinion that i-draught can be used in a number of ways to add benefit to the licensees business. However to get the most from the system it should be linked to till data making it possible to track beer dispensed against beer sold thus ensuring every pint is paid for and more cash ends up in the till."
Looking forward, what key messages do you offer pubs as they look to trade their way out of recession?
"In an environment where many of the challenges are unprecedented and the availability of cash for investment is at a premium, the focus of any pub operator big or small must be firmly fixed on improving operating capability and performance.
" We firmly believe that by embracing technology and using the data and tools available to them, pub operators can take tangible steps to reduce overheads, improve both cash-flow and revenue, and ultimately increase operating profit."
