MCS Software

MCS Receives New Certification from USDA

janetsmith — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:01:20 +0000

We were excited to learn that after testing and evaluation from the USDA, MCS’ Menus & Inventory software has been approved for use in certification of compliance with lunch meal requirements. That means we can better help our clients meet compliance with the New School Lunch Program meal patterns now in place. This new program has been a major change for schools and students across the country. We’re happy to be able to make this process easier with our fully integrated Menus & Inventory management that connects all the dots from bid management to cafeteria tray.

MCS Wins Innovation Award from St. Tammany Chamber

andresavoie — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:13:18 +0000

2012 has been a great year for us at MCS Software, and what a great way to wrap up 2012 by having our team recognized by the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce for innovation in technology!

Read either of the news releases below to find out more about this great event, including the other area businesses who were recognized by the Chamber for their accomplishments in the local community.

> Read the article from the St. Tammany News
> Read the Article from NOLA.com

Palm Scanners Get Thumbs Up in Schools & Hospitals

andresavoie — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:07:10 +0000

At schools in Pinellas County, Fla., students aren’t paying for lunch with cash or a card, but with a wave of their hand over a palm scanner.

“It’s so quick that a child could be standing in line, call mom and say, ‘I forgot my lunch money today.’ She’s by her computer, runs her card, and by the time the child is at the front of the line, it’s already recorded,” says Art Dunham, director of food services for Pinellas County Schools.

> Click to Download PDF Version

> Read the rest of the story from the USA Today

National School Lunch Week Deserves Recognition

janetsmith — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:59:45 +0000

This year, even more than most, there is special emphasis and attention on school cafeterias and their managers across the country. Food Service Directors are challenged more than ever to serve up healthy and nutritious meals that students will eat. The new USDA meal pattern regulations are requiring a shift to more fruits and vegetables and less fat, really pushing menu planners to be more and more creative. And these professionals are stepping up to the plate with a variety of new approaches to get kids to eat what’s good for them. We salute food service professionals and their teams everywhere as we celebrate National School Lunch Week across America.

Many new regulations greet food service directors as school starts

janetsmith — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:03:25 +0000

Food Service Directors are always so busy this time of year, but especially with the start of the 2012-2013 school year. Working to get into compliance with the new meal pattern regulations of the USDA is complicated enough. But this is also the year that the regulations outlined in the 2010 Healthy Hunger Free Act also take effect with the start of school. School children will have many more healthy options this year; that’s a good thing. However, schools will spend countless hours getting ready for the new requirements. We’re also working hard to help our clients get ready for the new year. That summer sure did speed by fast!

New meal pattern guide available from School Nutrition Association

janetsmith — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:03:34 +0000

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) just unveiled a new meal pattern guide for SNA members. It’s titled “We Can Do This: Advice and Resources for Meeting the New Meal Pattern”. It’s available exclusively for SNA members. Click here to log in now and get your meal pattern guide.

We are working closely with the USDA every day to be able to help our customers make this transition in the most efficient way. Fortunately for MCS customers, we have always offered food-based menu planning so we will be ready to go. And no MCS customer has ever failed an audit, so that need not be a worry. We’ll keep you posted on the latest developments about this important change to the regulations.

MCS to present at SNA National Conference

janetsmith — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:01:32 +0000

We’re excited to announce that Director of Sales and school nutrition expert Mike Munna has been selected to present a Cutting Edge Demonstration on POS palm scanning technology at the School Nutrition Association National Conference in Denver this July. His 12:45 p.m.presentation is one of only three that afternoon, so we’re honored to be included in the roster. MCS has lead the way with biometric identification both at Point of Sale and in vending machines. In fact, MCS teamed up with Fujitsu to be the first to offer this proven technology in K-12 schools. The innovative identification technology has been used successfully throughout Japan and in hospitals and other applications in the United States.

Pinellas County Florida schools implemented palm scanning throughout the district and report a 50% reduction in serving line time. This is a chronic problem for schools nationwide, with students sometime spending more time in line than at the lunch table. At Pinellas, the kids zip through the line, have plenty of time to eat and are back in class ready to work without rushing.

If you are headed to the Annual National Conference, be sure to plan to attend Mike’s presentation. And visit us at Booth 401 for a chance to win an iPad3. See you in Denver.

MCS and Fujitsu to host palm scanning webinar – May 1

janetsmith — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:58:42 +0000

Don’t miss our upcoming Webinar, May 1 (1:00 – 1:30 CDT) on the time-saving palm scanning software now available for school districts around the country. MCS Software and Fujitsu will host a webinar which will feature the story of Pinellas County, one of the largest school districts in Florida. Pinellas implemented the system last year and officials report that lunch line times have been cut in half. Finally, kids have time to eat their lunch and get back in the classroom in a timely manner. To register, just e-mail Bill Geary at bill.geary@us.fujitsu.com.

USDA Free and Reduced Program Feeds Over 31 Million Kids

janetsmith — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:27:00 +0000

The number of children receiving free and reduced meals by the USDA is over 31 million. That represents 66% of all school lunches served. Most people in the country probably have no idea how big the effort is. Managing this enormous program is a huge task on the federal as well as local level. A sobering fact to consider as GLobal Child Nutrition Month kicks off in April.

Online payments eliminate the need to collect lunch money.

janetsmith — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:21:15 +0000

MCS’s Online Payments solution can really put a dent in collection problems like the ones experienced by this school district in Ohio. With pre-paid lunches and real time payments, delinquencies should be a problem of the past.