How Nostradamus simplified the business processes of Van Asch Horeca

For 25 years, Van Asch Horeca has been a well-known name in Breda. What started with Café Bruxelles on Havermarkt has now expanded to seven hospitality venues, including their newest concept, Ciao Belli. Under the leadership of Maud and Patrick van Asch, the company has positioned itself as a versatile player in the region, attracting both local guests and visitors from outside the city.

Thanks to their transition to Nostradamus in 2020, Van Asch Horeca has streamlined its staff management and operational processes, allowing them to strengthen their focus on hospitality and innovation. Maud van Asch, co-owner of the company, shares how Nostradamus has played a crucial role in simplifying and optimizing their business operations.

“We needed a system that could do more: staff scheduling, time tracking, budgeting, and forecasting. Nostradamus provided the complete solution.”

Finding the right software

When Van Asch Horeca switched to Nostradamus in 2020, it was clear that they needed more than just a scheduling and time-tracking system. “We previously used different software, but we weren’t satisfied especially with the complexity of time tracking.”Their search for a more efficient system quickly led them to Nostradamus, which offered more functionalities that aligned with their needs. “We needed a system that could do more: staff planning, time tracking, budgeting, and forecasting. Nostradamus provided the complete solution.” – Maud van Asch

Seamless implementation

The transition went smoothly. “We switched over completely in one go,” Maud explains. “The implementation process was straightforward. From day one, the system became the leading tool for all our businesses. Everything was well-organized, and we received excellent support.”

The training sessions were also effective: “We trained at the Nostradamus office with a small group, and later, our managers received separate back-office training, which worked really well.” The staff response was overwhelmingly positive: “Before, there was no staff app only a website. With the Nostradamus app, everything became much more user-friendly, and we’ve only received positive feedback about how it works.”

“The integrations of Nostradamus are really an advantage. They work not only with our POS system but also with our payroll organization and even our own app. That makes work much more efficient.”

Features that make the difference

One of the biggest advantages of Nostradamus is the wide range of functionalities. “The real-time integration with our POS systems is fantastic,” says Maud enthusiastically. She emphasizes how important real-time labor cost control is: “Thanks to the real-time insights, we can immediately see how revenue compares to our labor costs and adjust if necessary. This helps enormously in achieving our margins and key figures,” which, according to Maud, is one of the biggest challenges in the hospitality industry.

Van Asch Horeca also uses the employee satisfaction tool, which helps them gain insights into how the staff experienced their shifts: “When our employees clock out, they are asked: ‘How was your work today?’ This is discussed in the weekly meeting, and if there are any noticeable responses, we take action.” It is a valuable tool that helps the company act quickly if there are any issues. “If someone regularly indicates that they didn’t have a good shift, we intervene. Normally, it is difficult to detect such issues on time, but with this tool, we can really keep a close eye on things.”

Maud also states that she wouldn’t want to work without the Management App anymore: “I use the Management App a lot myself. In the morning, the first thing I do is check the revenue from the previous day and see if there were any special incidents. It has become a standard ritual.”

A recommendation for the hospitality industry

Maud has no doubts about the value of Nostradamus. When asked if she would recommend the software to other companies, she responds: “Absolutely yes, we would definitely recommend Nostradamus. If you make full use of all the tools, you can really gain a lot from it.”

By integrating Nostradamus into their business operations, Van Asch Horeca has significantly improved its staff management. The user-friendly app, real-time insights, and system integrations have helped the company work more efficiently and better manage costs. With Nostradamus as a reliable partner, Van Asch Horeca can continue focusing on growth and innovation.