Using the Cafe Inventory Insights Overview page
Table of Contents
Overview
This article introduces the Cafe Inventory Insights page, detailing how to add and update your Menus, upload your POS Data, and navigate the various sections of Inventory Insights. The Inventory Insights page gives Cafe managers the data they need to save time and run a tighter shop. Use these metrics to spot trends, cut down on waste, and make smarter orders for all your locations.
Instructions
Navigating to the Inventory Insights page
Review the tabs and information below to get the most out of Inventory Insights. This section provides a high-level overview, while the next will walk you through the ideal workflow to get the most out of the tool.
- Log in to the online platform C-sar.
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Navigate to Cafe > Operations Fleet Dashboard.
💡Cafe managers will land on the Operations Fleet Dashboard after clicking on Cafe, while baristas land on the Location dashboard. -
Select the Inventory Insights tab.
The Inventory Insights overview page consists of three distinct tabs:
Reviewing the Inventory Insights
⚠️ To get Inventory Insights data, you need to:
These two steps are crucial as they enable the system to analyze sales data and inventory levels effectively.
Before you begin collecting information, please ensure that you follow these preliminary steps:
* Indicates mandatory fields.
- Select the Start date* and End date*: By default, the Start date* is set to one week before your selection, with the End date* set as the day before. For example, selecting 15th November sets a range from 8th to 14th November.
- Use the Location dropdown to select one or more locations for your view.
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Enter the following details:
- Average price per kg*: If you enter the average price and navigate away from the Inventory Insights overview page when you return, the system will automatically display the previously entered setting.
- Average grams per single shot*
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Click the Apply filters button.
💡 Why do we use single shots?
We use single shots as the baseline for calculating brewed versus sold coffee, as they represent the smallest unit of measurement.
For example, while a cappuccino typically requires one shot of espresso, many cafes opt to brew double shots using double-spouted portafilters. In such instances, one shot is accounted for the drink, leaving the second shot as unsold inventory.
Comparing current and historical data
Compare current and historical data to identify trends, analyze performance, and make more informed decisions.
💡 Learn more about how to compare your current and past data on the Inventory Insights overview page.
In the following sections, we will explore how the data is displayed on the Cafe Inventory overview page:
The data presented will include:
- Shots linked to recipes across selected locations
- Shots sold across all selected locations
- Shots unsold across all selected locations
A pie chart will also visually represent the total number of shots sold and unsold across all selected Locations, providing a clear overview of inventory performance:
As you continue to explore the Inventory Insights page, you will encounter four additional sections that provide further insights and details:
💡 Tip:
- By default, the initial three sections will display the Total Brewed Overview. To view the breakdown of shots sold versus shots unsold, simply click on the Unsold Ratio button.
- Ensure that you verify the selected date range and confirm that it contains the relevant POS data
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Total consumption throughout the day
- Shots sold
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Shots unsold
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Total consumption throughout the week
- Shots sold
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Shots unsold
By switching the toggle to green, you can access the daily average data.
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Total shot consumption across locations
- Shots sold
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Shots unsold
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Assessment overview
💡By switching the toggle to green, you can access the daily average data.- Location
- Shots brewed (daily average)
- Shots sold (daily average)
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Shots unsold (daily average)
Clicking the Location opens its Telemetry Insights for your selected date range:
Reviewing the POS Data
POS or Point of Sale refers to the location and system where a retail transaction is completed.
💡 Tip:
Before you upload your POS Data, we recommend reviewing this article for best practices.
- Log in to the online platform C-sar.
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Navigate to Cafe > Inventory Insights > POS Data.
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The uploaded information will be presented in the POS data overview section, organized into clearly defined columns for easy reference:
- Date range
- Location
- Filename
- Menu
- Uploaded on
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Uploaded by
Discovering the ideal workflow for entering data
Now that you've explored the Inventory Insights overview page, let's look at the most efficient way to enter your data:
- Creating a Menu
- Uploading POS Data
- Review the Inventory Insights overview page
- Using the Production Report
Uploading the POS Data
- Navigate to the POS Data tab.
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Enter the following details:
* Indicates mandatory fields.- Location*
- Cafe Menu*
- Select the green text labeled "Click to select file" to choose the file you wish to upload.
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Select Upload.
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Review your uploaded information in the POS data overview section.
💡 Troubleshooting:
For help resolving POS Data upload issues, please refer to this article.
FAQs
I encountered an unknown error while entering data. What's the temporary solution?
We are working to improve the performance of the Cafe Inventory Insights overview page with large datasets. To avoid errors, please try narrowing your date range or selecting fewer locations.
All shots are displayed as unsold. What should I do?
Please verify your date range and POS data to ensure accuracy. Otherwise, the system will mark all shots unsold.
If your date range and POS data are correct, but the issue persists, contact our Customer Support Team. To help us resolve this issue, please include a screenshot of the updated POS data and a detailed description of the issue.
If you have further questions, feedback, or concerns, please submit a support ticket directly from support.cropster.com.