APPS RUNNING THE GAMUT FROM SPEC SHEETS TO MENUS

Who needs a desktop or a printed menu these days? Operators, dealers and specifiers and consultants are being freed from desktop devices with a wealth of apps and the devices they operate on. Sometimes that freedom doesn’t even have a price tag, since many apps are free of charge.

Kochman Associates, for example, has released a free KCL Mobile foodservice spec sheet app for Windows 7 and Android phones. The program allows users to search, view and email spec sheets of more than 80,000 pieces of equipment and utility data from approximately 200 manufacturers. It allows users to search by manufacturer, model or category. Kochman first introduced the program at NAFEM 2011 exclusively for Apple products; it is now working on a Blackberry version. The KCL Mobile app can be downloaded for free at www.KCLMobile.com.

Menu apps and dining tablet technology will also be showcased at the 96^th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show, Nov. 13-15, with the launch of the i.Menu Expo. It will showcase developers of iPad and Android tablet apps, accessory manufacturers and hardware vendors, who will demonstrate the latest menu and back-end office solutions, including cost-effective ways to improve productivity and bottom lines.