RedBlack Software has released a new Automated Orders function for its CyBake Touch shop management solution, which claims to take the guesswork out of predicting shop sales.

Standalone product Cybake Touch runs on EPoS tills to provide a link between head office and retail outlets via the internet. The new Automated Orders function generates its own suggested orders, for a retail baker, for the following week. "The suggested orders are created from an algorithm agreed with each customer," said the firm. "For example, on short shelf-life products, the Automated Orders software may use an average of the last week’s actual sales plus a percentage uplift to suggest what should be ordered for the following week."

Shop managers are still required to review and confirm the suggested orders, which allows them to moderate the results for changes to the usual routine, such as school holidays.