In the restaurant industry, there are several approaches to multi-unit information management. These approaches range from dial-up polling technology that has been around since the 1980's... to the latest technology available from a new Applications Service Provider (ASP) that may have just opened for business last week.

The three most popular types of solutions are:

• POS company solutions.
• Software-based solutions; i.e. "Boxed Software."
• ASPs (Application Service Providers).

ROSnet does not fit neatly into any of these categories. Instead ROSnet represents a unique "hybrid" approach combining the strengths of various types of solutions.

System Capabilities	POS Company Solutions	Boxed Software	ASPs	ROSnet
Dependable integration with your restaurant POS system(s)	works GREAT with their own POS systems, but not with others	some boxed software packages provide reliable POS interface capabilities	may require extensive POS changes to meet ASPs needs	works great, even if multiple POS platforms are used in your company
Allows transition to different POS systems, if desired	system is designed to lock you in to their POS system only	good multi-platform support... but added difficulty of reinstalling large software packages in every restaurant	depending on POS support	24-hour turnaround time on most POS conversions; no additional charge for switching from one POS platform to another
Runs "thin" on restaurant PCs, with little additional hardware or software overhead	some POS solutions are heavily software-dependent	huge software package must be installed in restaurants	some ASPs require specialized "transmit box" hardware or "custom browser" software	requires the compact "Forms & Transmit" application only -- no transmit boxes or custom browsers to fail
Solution does NOT require hiring of additional IT personnel to set-up and operate	plan on hiring additional IT staff for configuration work, or paying the POS company to do it for you ($$$$)	plan on hiring additional IT staff for configuration work, or paying the software company to do it for you ($$$$)	some ASPs require extensive POS changes to meet the ASPs needs -- others RECOMMEND hiring another IT person to manage the system	we work with your EXISTING IT staff; no additional salaries will be required
Convenient and secure web-based reporting, available anywhere	only if a web-based reporting package is offered	solution represents a pre-Internet approach to information management	web-based, yes... but "available anywhere" might not apply to certain solutions that require client-side customizations	ROSnet features extensive web-based reporting capabilities; your reports can "follow you" wherever you go
Includes YOUR reports in YOUR format, as part of EVERY service offering	reports are in the POS company's format, but you may be able to create your own reports or pay the POS company to create custom reports ($$$$)	reports are in the software company's format, but you may be able to create your own reports or pay the software company to create custom reports ($$$$)	reports are in the ASP's format, but you may be able to pay the ASP to create custom reports ($$$$)	the ONLY solution to offer YOUR reports in YOUR format even with our lowest-cost, basic service offering
Integration with in-house accounting and payroll systems	program provides standard output, you must modify to match your needs	while packages vary, this is usually the ONE major strength of most boxed software packages	SOME systems can be interfaced; priced out as custom development ($$$$)	interface to any capable accounting or payroll system; available for a fixed and reasonable price
Integration with accounting and payroll service providers (ADP, PayData, FSC, etc.)	major interfaces only; others are custom development ($$$$)	major interfaces only; others are custom development ($$$$)	major interfaces only; others are custom development ($$$$)	Extranet interface to any capable third party service provider; available for a fixed and reasonable price