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Necta Integration

Eaternity Forecast launches exclusively with Necta, our strategic ERP partner for professional kitchens. This guide explains the seamless integration for Necta customers.

About the Partnership​

Necta ERP Overview​

Necta is a leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for professional food service operations, specializing in:

  • Menu planning and costing
  • Inventory management
  • Recipe management
  • Supplier ordering
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food safety compliance

Market Position:

  • Used by 1,500+ professional kitchens across Europe
  • Strong presence in corporate catering, healthcare, and education
  • Known for user-friendly interface and comprehensive features

Exclusive Launch Partnership​

Why Necta?

Eaternity chose Necta as exclusive launch partner because:

  • ✅ Market leader in professional kitchen ERP
  • ✅ Data quality — Clean, structured sales data
  • ✅ User base alignment — Corporate catering, hospitals, universities (ideal for Forecast)
  • ✅ Technical capability — Modern API and integration architecture
  • ✅ Shared vision — Reducing food waste through technology

Partnership Status: Necta remains a preferred integration partner with priority support and features.

Benefits for Necta Customers​

Seamless Integration​

Zero Technical Work:

  • No API development required
  • No data exports needed
  • No system switching for kitchen staff

Automatic Data Flow:

  • Historical sales imported from Necta database
  • Daily sales sync automatically
  • Predictions appear in Necta planning interface
  • Menu changes reflected instantly

Native User Experience:

  • Predictions displayed in familiar Necta interface
  • Same navigation and workflow
  • Consistent look and feel
  • No training on new system

Enhanced Necta Functionality​

Planning Module Enhancement:

Before Forecast:

  • Manual forecasting in spreadsheets or intuition-based
  • Time-consuming variance analysis
  • Limited historical pattern recognition

After Forecast:

  • AI-powered predictions directly in planning module
  • Automatic variance analysis
  • Pattern detection across all menu items

Workflow Integration:

Necta Planning Workflow with Forecast:

1. Morning (8:00 AM):
   - Log into Necta as usual
   - Navigate to "Planning" module
   - See today's forecast vs actual sales (yesterday)
   - Review tomorrow's predictions

2. Weekly Planning (Monday):
   - Access "Weekly Forecast" view
   - See 7-day predictions for all menu items
   - Export to Excel if needed for buyer orders
   - Adjust manual overrides if special events known

3. Monthly Review:
   - "Forecast Performance" dashboard
   - Accuracy metrics by item and category
   - Food waste reduction tracking
   - Cost savings calculation

Partner Benefits​

Necta Customer Benefits:

  • Priority support and feature requests
  • Extended trial period
  • Seamless onboarding process

For pricing information, visit eaternity.org/pricing.

Setup Process​

Prerequisites​

Necta Account Requirements:

  • Active Necta subscription
  • Planning module activated
  • Minimum 30 days of sales data in Necta
  • Admin or Manager level access

Operational Requirements:

  • Minimum 50 covers/day average
  • Daily sales entry in Necta
  • Team commitment to using the forecasts

Step-by-Step Activation​

Step 1: Contact Necta Account Manager​

Email Your Necta Representative:

Subject: Activate Eaternity Forecast Integration

Dear [Account Manager],

We would like to activate the Eaternity Forecast integration
for our Necta account.

Company: [Your Company Name]
Necta Account ID: [Your Account ID]
Primary Contact: [Name]
Email: [Email]
Phone: [Phone]

We would like to get started with Forecast.
Please initiate the activation process.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

What Happens Next:

  • Necta confirms your eligibility
  • Necta notifies Eaternity of activation request
  • Eaternity team contacts you within 2 business days

Step 2: Kickoff Call with Eaternity​

Scheduled Call (30 minutes):

Agenda:

  1. Introduction to Forecast and capabilities
  2. Data review — Verify your historical Necta data quality
  3. Timeline — Agree on activation schedule
  4. Expectations — Usage requirements
  5. Questions — Address any concerns

Preparation:

  • Have Necta account ID ready
  • Know your average daily cover volume
  • Identify team contact person for onboarding

Step 3: Data Import and Validation​

Automatic Process (No action required from you):

  1. Historical Data Import (Day 1-2):

    • Eaternity retrieves sales data from Necta API
    • Minimum 30 days, ideally 90+ days
    • Includes: dates, item names, quantities, service periods

  2. Data Quality Check (Day 2-3):

    • Verify completeness (no gaps in dates)
    • Check consistency (item naming)
    • Validate quantities (reasonable ranges)

  3. Quality Report (Day 3-4):

    • Email report sent to you
    • Data quality score (target: >80%)
    • Any issues identified
    • Approval to proceed or correction requests

Example Quality Report:

Necta Data Quality Report
Kitchen: Example Corporate Cafeteria
Date Range: October 1 - December 31, 2023

Overall Quality Score: 92% ✅

Completeness: 100% ✅
  - No missing dates
  - All service periods tracked
  - Complete item information

Consistency: 89% ✅
  - 3 items with name variations detected
  - "Pasta Carbonara" vs "Carbonara Pasta" (standardized)
  - Recommendation: Use consistent naming going forward

Data Volume: 95% ✅
  - 92 days of historical data
  - Average 420 covers/day
  - 68 unique menu items

Ready to Proceed: YES ✅
Estimated Training Completion: January 15, 2024

Step 4: Model Training​

Automatic Process (1-2 weeks):

Week 1:

  • Neural network begins training on your historical data
  • Pattern recognition for daily, weekly, seasonal trends
  • Weather correlation analysis (if available)
  • Baseline accuracy established

Week 2:

  • Advanced feature learning
  • Confidence interval calibration
  • Accuracy validation
  • Final model optimization

Progress Updates:

  • Daily email summaries
  • Dashboard progress indicator
  • ETA for completion

Example Training Update:

Training Progress Update - Day 7

Status: 65% Complete
Expected Completion: January 15, 2024

Progress:
  ✅ Daily patterns learned (100%)
  ✅ Weekly patterns learned (100%)
  ⏳ Seasonal patterns learning (45%)
  ⏳ Weather correlations (30%)

Current Accuracy (validation set): 14.2% MAPE
Target Accuracy: less than 13% MAPE

Items Trained: 52 out of 68 menu items

Next Milestone: Complete seasonal pattern learning (3 days)

Step 5: Necta Module Activation​

Activation Day (automatic):

  1. Forecast Module Appears in your Necta interface:

    • New "Forecast" tab in Planning module
    • Dashboard showing upcoming predictions
    • Historical accuracy tracking

  2. Email Notification:

    Subject: Eaternity Forecast Now Active

    Your Eaternity Forecast integration is now live!

    You can now access AI-powered predictions directly in
    your Necta Planning module.

    First predictions available for: January 16-22, 2024

    Getting Started:
    1. Log into Necta
    2. Navigate to Planning > Forecast
    3. Review 7-day predictions
    4. See quick start guide in Help section

    Support: forecast@eaternity.org

  3. Training Resources Unlocked:

    • Video tutorial in Necta Help
    • Quick reference guide (PDF)
    • Sample reports and dashboards

Step 6: Team Training​

Self-Paced Training (1-2 hours):

Module 1: Understanding Forecasts (30 min):

  • What the predictions mean
  • Confidence intervals explained
  • How to read the dashboard

Module 2: Daily Workflow (30 min):

  • Morning review routine
  • Using predictions for planning
  • Providing feedback on variances

Module 3: Advanced Features (30 min):

  • Manual overrides for special events
  • Exporting data to Excel
  • Reading performance reports

Live Training Session (Optional, 1 hour):

  • Group video call with Eaternity trainer
  • Q&A about your specific kitchen
  • Best practices from other Forecast customers

Using Forecast in Necta​

Accessing Predictions​

Navigation:

Necta Dashboard → Planning → Forecast

Main Views:

  1. Daily View:

    • Today's actuals vs yesterday's predictions
    • Tomorrow's forecast
    • Quick variance summary

  2. Weekly View:

    • 7-day forecast for all items
    • Graphical trend display
    • Confidence interval visualization

  3. Item Detail View:

    • Single item focus
    • Historical accuracy chart
    • Prediction pattern over time

Dashboard Components​

Today's Performance Widget​

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TODAY: Wednesday, January 20, 2024 │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Yesterday's Accuracy: 91.2% ✅      │
│ Items within ±10%: 58/65            │
│ Large variances: 2 (investigate)    │
│                                     │
│ [View Detailed Report]              │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Tomorrow's Forecast Widget​

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TOMORROW: Thursday, January 21      │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Expected Covers: 435 (range: 410-460)
│                                     │
│ Top Items:                          │
│ • Pasta Carbonara: 55 (51-59)      │
│ • Grilled Salmon: 32 (28-36)       │
│ • Caesar Salad: 38 (34-42)         │
│                                     │
│ [Full Item List] [Export to Excel]  │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Weekly Forecast Table​

ItemThuFriSatSunMonTueWed
Pasta Carbonara556800455252
Range51-5962-74--42-4849-5548-56
Grilled Salmon323800242828
Range28-3633-43--21-2724-3223-33

(0 = Closed, Range = 80% confidence interval)

Exporting Data​

Export Options:

  1. Excel Export:

    • Click "Export" button
    • Select date range and items
    • Download formatted Excel with predictions and ranges
    • Use for buyer orders or offline planning

  2. PDF Report:

    • Generate weekly forecast PDF
    • Print for kitchen bulletin board
    • Share with management

  3. Email Report:

    • Schedule automatic email delivery
    • Daily or weekly frequency
    • Recipients: kitchen managers, buyers, executives

Manual Overrides​

When to Override:

  • Large group bookings not in historical data
  • Known promotional events
  • Menu substitutions due to supply issues
  • Facility limitations (equipment failure, staff shortage)

How to Override in Necta:

  1. Navigate to item in forecast table

  2. Click "Override" icon next to prediction

  3. Enter override details:

    ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
    │ Override Prediction                  │
    ├──────────────────────────────────────┤
    │ Item: Pasta Carbonara                │
    │ Date: Thursday, January 21           │
    │                                      │
    │ Original Prediction: 55 (51-59)      │
    │                                      │
    │ Override Quantity: [75]              │
    │ Reason: Conference booking (50 pax)  │
    │                                      │
    │ ☑ Apply same ratio to related items │
    │                                      │
    │ [Cancel] [Save Override]             │
    └──────────────────────────────────────┘

  4. Override appears highlighted in forecast table

  5. Original prediction stored for accuracy tracking

Override Best Practices:

  • Always document reason for override
  • Review override accuracy in monthly reports
  • Use overrides sparingly (frequent overrides may indicate data quality issues)

Features Specific to Necta Integration​

Inventory Integration​

Planned: Direct integration with Necta inventory module

Planned Features:

  • Automatic ingredient requirement calculation from predictions
  • Suggested purchase orders based on forecast
  • Waste reduction at ingredient level (not just prepared food)

Recipe Costing Integration​

Already Available:

  • Forecast predictions use Necta recipe IDs
  • Waste cost calculations use Necta recipe costs
  • Monthly savings reports show cost impact

Nutritional Analysis​

Planned: Integration with Necta nutritional module

Planned Features:

  • Predict nutritional target achievement
  • Suggest menu mix for balanced offerings
  • Forecast dietary restriction requirements

Necta-Specific Support​

Support Channels​

For Forecast-Specific Questions:

For Necta Platform Questions:

  • Contact your Necta account manager as usual
  • Necta support familiar with Forecast integration
  • Coordinated support for integration issues

Known Issues​

Current Limitations:

  1. Historical Data Access:

    • Forecast can access maximum 365 days of Necta history
    • If you have >1 year of data, only most recent 365 days used initially

  2. Real-Time Sync Delay:

    • Sales data syncs overnight (3:00 AM local time)
    • Same-day sales not immediately available to model
    • Not an issue for next-day forecasting use case

  3. Menu Changes:

    • Menu additions appear automatically
    • Menu deletions: Item predictions stop after 7 days of zero sales
    • Recipe changes: Update in Necta reflects in Forecast within 24 hours

Workarounds Documented: See Troubleshooting Guide

Migration from Manual Forecasting​

Transition Strategy​

Week 1: Observation Mode

  • Run Forecast alongside your current manual process
  • Compare predictions to your forecasts
  • Don't change preparation quantities yet
  • Learn the interface and features

Week 2: Hybrid Mode

  • Use Forecast for 50% of menu items (your choice which)
  • Continue manual forecasting for other 50%
  • Compare results at end of week

Week 3-4: Full Deployment

  • Use Forecast for all items
  • Keep manual forecasting as backup initially
  • Build confidence in system

Week 5+: Optimization

  • Refine your workflow
  • Optimize preparation strategies based on confidence intervals
  • Focus time on quality rather than forecasting

Success Metrics​

Track These Metrics During Transition:

  1. Accuracy Comparison:

    • Your manual forecast MAPE
    • Forecast AI prediction MAPE
    • Target: AI matches or beats manual within 2 weeks

  2. Waste Reduction:

    • Baseline waste rate (pre-Forecast)
    • Weekly waste rate tracking
    • Target: 20-30% reduction by week 8

  3. Time Savings:

    • Hours spent manual forecasting (before)
    • Hours spent reviewing AI forecasts (after)
    • Target: 70-80% time reduction

  4. Stock-Out Frequency:

    • Stock-outs per week (before)
    • Stock-outs per week (after)
    • Target: Maintain or reduce frequency

FAQs for Necta Customers​

Do I need to do anything technical?​

No. The integration is entirely handled by Necta and Eaternity. You just need to:

  1. Request activation via your Necta account manager
  2. Attend a 30-minute kickoff call
  3. Start using predictions when ready

Will this change my Necta workflow?​

Minimally. Forecast adds a new "Forecast" section to your Planning module. Your existing Necta functionality remains unchanged. You can continue using Necta exactly as before and simply refer to Forecast predictions when planning.

What if I'm not happy with the predictions?​

You can:

  • Provide feedback to improve accuracy
  • Override predictions for specific dates/items
  • Pause the service at any time with 30 days notice
  • Cancel during the 60-day trial period (Necta customers)

How accurate are predictions for new menu items?​

New items start with lower confidence (±25-35% range) but improve rapidly:

  • Week 1: 18-25% MAPE
  • Week 2-3: 14-18% MAPE
  • Month 2+: 11-14% MAPE (similar to established items)

Can I use Forecast for multiple locations?​

Yes! Each location gets its own model trained on location-specific data. Locations can share learnings (e.g., seasonal patterns) while maintaining location-specific predictions. Volume discounts available for 3+ locations.

What happens if Necta changes menu item names?​

Forecast detects name changes automatically and maintains continuity. Historical data links to the new name. You'll receive a notification when name changes are detected for review.

Getting Started​

Ready to Activate?​

Step 1: Email your Necta account manager requesting Forecast activation

Step 2: Await confirmation and kickoff call scheduling (2-3 business days)

Step 3: Attend kickoff call and complete setup (1-2 weeks)

Step 4: Start receiving predictions and reducing food waste!

Questions?​

Contact Eaternity Forecast team:

See Also​