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STAMFORD, CONN. - Eager to reap the competitive benefits of current information technology, the rapidly expanding Xando Inc. has leveraged its IT expenditures through outsourcing. However, it has experienced a few complications as a consequence.
Founded in Stamford in 1994, Xando has a presence in seven states and Washington, ac., through its chain of 40 chameleonlike Xando, Cos' or Xando Cosi outlets. Those brands incorporate some or all three of the company's different operational formats - coffee bar, upscale sandwich counter and fully licensed lounge - with product fines and an ambience that can change by daypart.
"I think, with outsourcing, we're at a much different place [with IT] than we ever could have afforded given our size and rate of growth," said Charles Gray, Xando's vice president of information technology. "We're going to be a $50 million-plus [in sales] company this year, and we're able to run Oracle. I don't know too many companies our size able to afford that installation."
The current Xando information technology package was created with the help of contract applications service provider Aspeon Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Irvine, Calif.-based Aspeon Inc. The contract relationship stems from Aspeon's 1999 acquisition of Restaurant Consulting Services of Boston, which already was working with Xando.
Under the agreement Aspeon provides Xando with a fully integrated, remotely...