Why did IRIS create BioStore Portal, the cashless catering system for schools and MATs?

The challenge is always on for MATs and schools to find new, more efficient ways to provide better outcomes for pupils – and mealtimes are no exception.

That’s why we decided to go in a bold direction with IRIS BioStore Portal.

IRIS BioStore Portal is a cloud-based, cashless catering solution for both primary and secondary schools. It adapts to feel purpose-built for each of these two learning environments and is perfect for managers overseeing things at trust level.

It can also save you money.

A routine-friendly, cost-effective approach

IRIS BioStore Portal achieves two important things: it blends into the existing systems that schools and trusts use, and it requires no new hardware.

It’s designed to cause minimum disruption, which is especially important if you are a primary school establishing a clear routine for children. As we’ll see later, it blends seamlessly into morning registration.

It’s also designed to minimise expense. This is paramount for secondary schools, where hardware hits budgets the most. There are no tills, no biometric systems, or anything else.

All you need is an Android or Apple tablet to get started.

Cashless catering (not cash-strapped catering)

It’s no big secret that, traditionally, schools are often left counting the cost of mealtime hardware.

This can include primary schools, where mealtimes can be the reason they still have a server on their premises. This is especially true when a lot of systems are moving to the cloud.

In secondary schools, the initial outlay for a till (or tills) is expensive, as is any training to use them.

Fixing the expensive problem of hardware maintenance

Anything you need to do to maintain your hardware adds to the cost.

When school budgets are universally tight, do you really want to be paying for hardware – especially when servers and tills feel antiquated compared to the current crop of cloud-powered solutions?

We didn’t think so. That’s why we cut out the expense and points of failure; with IRIS BioStore Portal, you don’t have to wait for a repair specialist. It works offline if there’s an internet problem, and if your tablet has an issue, you can simply grab another and log in.

How IRIS BioStore Portal works

We wanted to create something that streamlined the whole process. On day one, there is no big installation visit. You just open the app.

Even better, you’ll have it synced with your MIS in no time – to integrate with IRIS Ed:gen, all you have to do is use a dedicated data extraction tool that comes with BioStore Portal.

How IRIS BioStore Portal works in primary schools

Parents can manage meal selections and top up allowances through an app. If the school and parents/carers allow it, students can also choose their meals during registration.

Orders are sent directly to the kitchen – and they can be promptly cancelled if the child has to go home between registration and mealtime.

How IRIS BioStore Portal works in secondary schools

Meanwhile, in secondary schools, we wanted to make sure you can keep the bustling canteen experience that gives young people their sense of independence – but instead of arriving at a till, they meet a staff member holding an electronic tablet.

The pupil presents a QR code, the staff member scans it, and the cost comes off either an account topped up by parents the same way as they do for primary schools, or (like with primary schools) it is deducted from their free school meals allowance.

A MAT-friendly toolset

In a modern education setting, you also need MAT-level controls and powerful reporting, which are exactly what we put into the IRIS BioStore Portal.

We did everything we could to create one of the simplest-to-run menu management systems on the market – one that keeps mealtime managers from being constantly on the road, travelling from school to school.

Trusts can design and distribute menus across schools from a single location, and they get data-driven insights into meal uptake and preferences. They don’t have to leave site for any of this to happen.

Enhanced security

The cloud means different things to different people, depending on their roles and the tasks they are doing. For some, it means being able to work from home or take work to any site.

But one other important area is security.

Modern cloud software from IRIS means top-tier security measures. It means your data stays as safe as possible, and bad actors hit dead ends at every step of the way.

Important safety precautions

BioStore Portal tracks food allergies and dietary requirements, significantly reducing the risk of adverse reactions and ensuring all students have access to safe, suitable meal options.

That’s priceless peace of mind for staff, students, parents and carers.

Find out more about IRIS BioStore Portal

You’ve seen how it works, how it’s different, and how it empowers schools and trusts.

If you want to learn more, then check out our hub page, which takes you on a full tour of the features that will help you.

You can also book a demo – and see for yourself how it will give you control, save money on hardware, and help your teams.

Click here for more