Nando's goes Open Source

The revamp incorporates a new Linux-based solution and connectivity across its network. The project was outsourced to Synaq, a provider of managed Linux services and Open Source software.

Nandos has 230 restaurants nationwide and each restaurant is required to forward detailed information from their Point of Sale (PoS) system directly to head office on a daily basis. The data is vitally important in assisting the company in its day-to-day operations, identify trends, engage with their market and ensure sufficient quantities of stock. Each restaurant is equipped with a PoS system and backoffice computer . The backoffice computer communicates with the PoS and then communicates all data back to head office.

Synaq inspected, evaluated, redesigned the infrastructure setup and network and then "set up a completely new server and initiated a three-to-four week re-design, development and testing process," explains Hasson. "In addition we provided Nandos with a graphical reporting interface that allows the company to view the percentage of stores that were successful, which failed and other background information."

Antonio Silva, spokesperson for Nandos, said the solution more than met expectations and has proven to work in the given timeframe and within budget.

"[Synaq's] standards-based approach ensures that one never feels locked in as is often the case with open source and custom development," concludes Silva.