The Challenge
The company faced a significant challenge to streamline and expedite the onboarding process for newly acquired brands. The primary goal was to reduce the onboarding duration from 6 months to an ambitious 6 weeks. Concurrently, a strategic initiative was necessary to implement a pay-as-you-go model specifically tailored for Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs). The objective was to eliminate the entry barriers posed by upfront investments, thereby fostering a more accessible business environment.
Adding to the complexity was the issue of offline, non-connected equipment, which required manual updates for recipes. This posed a pressing challenge that needed to be addressed seamlessly. The company aimed to create a cohesive solution that would effectively tackle these interconnected issues and enhance operational efficiency. To overcome these hurdles, the company sought HCLTech's expertise to navigate and resolve these challenges seamlessly.
The Objective
Immersive experience without dedicated mobile apps:
- A significant goal for the company was to provide an immersive experience for business users, all without relying on dedicated mobile apps. HCLTech was tasked with developing a user-friendly interface to enhance engagement.
Migration of existing devices to new platforms:
- The company set a critical objective of migrating existing devices to new platforms seamlessly. HCLTech's role was pivotal in ensuring a smooth transition without disruptions to operations.
Resource-intensive field operations across geographies:
- Addressing resource-intensive and time-consuming field operations for consumer food equipment across different geographical locations was a targeted objective.
Reactive servicing, remote diagnostics and subscription model link:
- To enhance operational efficiency, the company aimed to shift from reactive servicing to a proactive model. This involved integrating remote diagnostics and establishing a link with the subscription model.
The Solution
HCLTech's Connected Data Platform brought about a revolutionary transformation in the company's operational dynamics, addressing the challenge of diverse equipment from various brands. This innovative solution streamlined processes and marked a significant milestone in enhancing operational efficiency.
- HCLTech implemented common open IoT platforms to seamlessly integrate diverse equipment acquired from multiple brands, fostering a unified operational environment.
- There was a successful transition from offline to connected equipment which enhanced connectivity and real-time data access.
- Successful reduction of timeline for onboarding new QSR acquisitions from 6 months to an agile 6 weeks, optimizing efficiency.
- The solution involved integrating Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) equipment and incorporating APIs for seamless connectivity with other store systems.
- HCLTech introduced a new single platform featuring a generic data interface, replacing the need for multi-brand and multiple model support. This streamlined data ingestion with backward compatibility.
- An innovative approach was implemented that replaced frequent technician visits for software upgrades and mechanical failures. The solution included over-the-air (OTA) updates for firmware upgrades and remote distribution of new recipes, significantly reducing onsite visits.
The Impact
- Achieved a 10% increase in business through the successful implementation of a subscription model.
- Accelerated feature development with a remarkable 30% increase in velocity.
- Realized a 20% reduction in overall rollouts, optimizing operational efficiency.
- Onboarded 155k+ equipment onto the KC platform since the global launch, including China.
- Significantly cut operational costs by 40% through the introduction of remote services and OTA upgrades.