Cinemas invite the world to escape from it all and Introduction of a virtual Kanban immerse themselves in a world of movies. Watching system to reduce wastage and improve a movie at home can never match up to the cash flow Creating a excitement of the cinema theatre, and so, despite Introduction of advanced predictive other entertainment options, the cinema industry analytics to assess product demand The Edge Quarterly continues to thrive. The Edge Quarterly and catalog insights to recommend the Magical Cinema The cinema industry in Australia is currently right order requirement, and progressing through a significant phase of Automation of a centralized order disruption, innovation, and growth. Last year, the process for all suppliers industry spend was forecast to exceed AUD 1.8bn Experience while growth is expected to continue at an average Introduction of a virtual Kanban system of 1.4% over the next five years. to reduce wastage and improve cash Once thought of as a mature industry facing ven in the era of streaming, going to the movies flow decline, the entertainment and film industry Eremains an experience of choice — be it for today is adapting and continually evolving to Many external factors can impact demand for the premium seating, the surround sound, the best offer something for everyone. The industry is food and beverage requirements; seasonal screens and vision, hot gourmet popcorn, or unique staying ahead of the curve and reinvesting in considerations such as public holidays, fluctuations cinematic experiences like 4DX. better experiences for consumers; experiences in ticket admit demand in line with blockbusters that are memorable, that leave a mark, and make and the film line up, promotional food offering and an impact. Service providers in the industry are bundles, and supplier product changes. also continuously seeking ways to operate more efficiently.

Despite increased competition from other sources

of entertainment such as online subscription streaming services, the exhibition industry is thriving, forging ahead with innovative ways to provide the ultimate movie-going experience, be it luxury seating, new cinema concepts, and the use of emerging technologies.

At the same time, industry data suggests food and beverage (F&B) to be a lucrative investment area. F&B expenses average around 20-30% of the total costs, and the introduction of hot food and better- quality food products could boost the efforts to deliver competitive advantage. “Human-led

Event Cinemas realized that the food and beverage technology can value chain for the company’s 80+ cinemas across assist entertainment Australia and New Zealand was an opportunity for business transformation through the use of businesses across Intelligent Automation. the globe to thrive.” Through engagement with suppliers, cinema operations teams, and food and beverage departments, the RPA Center of Excellence Team Aylene Baldwin was tasked to review and reengineer its processes General Manager Business Transformation EVENT HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT completely. This exercise resulted in three key projects being identified: Mark Pinder RPA Centre of Excellence Manager 26 EVENT HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT 27 Cinemas invite the world to escape from it all and Introduction of a virtual Kanban immerse themselves in a world of movies. Watching system to reduce wastage and improve a movie at home can never match up to the cash flow Creating a excitement of the cinema theatre, and so, despite Introduction of advanced predictive other entertainment options, the cinema industry analytics to assess product demand The Edge Quarterly continues to thrive. The Edge Quarterly and catalog insights to recommend the Magical Cinema The cinema industry in Australia is currently right order requirement, and progressing through a significant phase of Automation of a centralized order disruption, innovation, and growth. Last year, the process for all suppliers industry spend was forecast to exceed AUD 1.8bn Experience while growth is expected to continue at an average Introduction of a virtual Kanban system of 1.4% over the next five years. to reduce wastage and improve cash Once thought of as a mature industry facing ven in the era of streaming, going to the movies flow decline, the entertainment and film industry Eremains an experience of choice — be it for today is adapting and continually evolving to Many external factors can impact demand for the premium seating, the surround sound, the best offer something for everyone. The industry is food and beverage requirements; seasonal screens and vision, hot gourmet popcorn, or unique staying ahead of the curve and reinvesting in considerations such as public holidays, fluctuations cinematic experiences like 4DX. better experiences for consumers; experiences in ticket admit demand in line with blockbusters that are memorable, that leave a mark, and make and the film line up, promotional food offering and an impact. Service providers in the industry are bundles, and supplier product changes. also continuously seeking ways to operate more efficiently.

Despite increased competition from other sources

of entertainment such as online subscription streaming services, the exhibition industry is thriving, forging ahead with innovative ways to provide the ultimate movie-going experience, be it luxury seating, new cinema concepts, and the use of emerging technologies.

At the same time, industry data suggests food and beverage (F&B) to be a lucrative investment area. F&B expenses average around 20-30% of the total costs, and the introduction of hot food and better- quality food products could boost the efforts to deliver competitive advantage. “Human-led

Event Cinemas realized that the food and beverage technology can value chain for the company’s 80+ cinemas across assist entertainment Australia and New Zealand was an opportunity for business transformation through the use of businesses across Intelligent Automation. the globe to thrive.” Through engagement with suppliers, cinema operations teams, and food and beverage departments, the RPA Center of Excellence Team Aylene Baldwin was tasked to review and reengineer its processes General Manager Business Transformation EVENT HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT completely. This exercise resulted in three key projects being identified: Mark Pinder RPA Centre of Excellence Manager 26 EVENT HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT 27 Event Cinemas identified an opportunity to improve order, allowing for flexibility and the capacity to order cycle management by reducing sellouts and consider local or national programing changes and excessive ordering. With EdgeVerve, Event Cinemas upcoming events. Once the order process has been was able to simulate a virtual just-in-time supply checked, RPA is used to re-cut all finalized cinema ordering system, across all products replicating a order requirements and data by supplier type for

The Edge Quarterly traditional Kanban card system. order preparation. The Edge Quarterly

The result has been the ability to maximize asset This new process means each supplier now receives productivity through more efficient use of storage only one order on behalf of all cinemas, with space, improved cash flow operations, and reduced additional product and distribution information stock wastage. communicated using Automation. Suppliers also receive a 12-week rolling forecast to support Using advanced predictive analytics forward manufacturing estimates.

to assess product demand and catalog The entire process is human-led, assisted by insights to recommend the right order stakeholders across the supply chain order process, requirement and is completed on the same day.

Once the algorithms for ordering supply were defined, EdgeVerve was engaged to help develop Other benefits a robust, accurate, and timely predictive analytics Process improvement using Intelligent Automation process to identify the best-recommended order for has also resulted in greater efficiency to the overall each product. ordering process, including: With the use of EdgeVerve’s RPA technology, the • Standardized order processes with greater team was able to define a process whereby every transparency in centralized operations product was assessed by demand and usage history, right down to the amount of salt allocated • Improved cinema cash flow and operating margin to popcorn. • Increased order governance and controls Robotic Process Automation (RPA) helped Event • Improved revenue from the reduction in sellouts ABOUT EVENT HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED Cinemas assess thousands of product cataloged items even before the ordering process started. • Improved supplier performance and management Event Hospitality & Entertainment Limited (EVENT) is a leading entertainment, hospitality and leisure This was achieved by calculating the activity over • Thousands of hours in productivity savings company. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Sydney, EVENT is at the forefront of the experience the previous 52 weeks, for each product, by each through cost reductions or reallocation of economy and delivers over 40 million customer experiences annually. From movies and adventure to travel Event Cinemas in Australia and New Zealand. The resources to more valuable tasks and dining, EVENT believes that in an increasingly busy world, an outstanding experience can make the day result; Event Cinemas now understands supply and better and create lasting memories. • Improved customer satisfaction demand trends — right across the network — and EVENT owns the largest cinema circuits in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany under the brands Event uses these insights to propose the recommended Cinemas, Birch Carroll and Coyle, Cinestar, Greater Union, and Moonlight Cinema. EVENT also owns and order requirements based on RPA data for each Partnership for success through operates more than 60 hotels, including Rydges Hotels and Resorts, QT Hotels and Resorts, and Atura product. EdgeVerve Hotels. In the leisure space, EVENT operates Australia’s much-loved ski resort, Thredbo Alpine Resort, This recommended order quantity feature also To support the delivery of these projects, in and one of Australia’s oldest theatres, the State Theatre. The company also owns a substantial property considers future demand variables and provides a conjunction with the EdgeVerve Team, Event portfolio. rolling 12-week order forecast for cinema operation Hospitality and Entertainment developed its own methodology and operations plan to manage With over 9,000 employees, the Group shares a passion for creating truly exceptional customer experiences, and planning purposes. The recommended order the RPA / AI program. Led by Mark Pinder, this world-class hospitality, and continuous innovation. EVENT is committed to protecting and giving back to the and prediction are also delivered to the cinemas, methodology combines best practices from the communities in which it exists through a focus on sustainability, fundraising, and diversity. using automated communications, by 7 am weekly. waterfall and agile approaches. An 8-stage waterfall EVENT listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 1962 and trades under the ASX code of EVT. It project approach retains sufficient governance has a market capitalization of $2 billion. Automation of a centralized order while deliverable activities within each stage take process for all suppliers an agile approach to project delivery.

Each Cinema Management and the Entertainment Perhaps the key success driver has also been Food & Beverage Team reviews the recommended incorporating the ProSci Change Management 28 29 Event Cinemas identified an opportunity to improve order, allowing for flexibility and the capacity to order cycle management by reducing sellouts and consider local or national programing changes and excessive ordering. With EdgeVerve, Event Cinemas upcoming events. Once the order process has been was able to simulate a virtual just-in-time supply checked, RPA is used to re-cut all finalized cinema ordering system, across all products replicating a order requirements and data by supplier type for

The Edge Quarterly traditional Kanban card system. order preparation. The Edge Quarterly

The result has been the ability to maximize asset This new process means each supplier now receives productivity through more efficient use of storage only one order on behalf of all cinemas, with space, improved cash flow operations, and reduced additional product and distribution information stock wastage. communicated using Automation. Suppliers also receive a 12-week rolling forecast to support Using advanced predictive analytics forward manufacturing estimates. to assess product demand and catalog The entire process is human-led, assisted by insights to recommend the right order stakeholders across the supply chain order process, requirement and is completed on the same day.

Once the algorithms for ordering supply were defined, EdgeVerve was engaged to help develop Other benefits a robust, accurate, and timely predictive analytics Process improvement using Intelligent Automation process to identify the best-recommended order for has also resulted in greater efficiency to the overall each product. ordering process, including: With the use of EdgeVerve’s RPA technology, the • Standardized order processes with greater team was able to define a process whereby every transparency in centralized operations product was assessed by demand and usage history, right down to the amount of salt allocated • Improved cinema cash flow and operating margin to popcorn. • Increased order governance and controls Robotic Process Automation (RPA) helped Event • Improved revenue from the reduction in sellouts ABOUT EVENT HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED Cinemas assess thousands of product cataloged items even before the ordering process started. • Improved supplier performance and management Event Hospitality & Entertainment Limited (EVENT) is a leading entertainment, hospitality and leisure This was achieved by calculating the activity over • Thousands of hours in productivity savings company. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Sydney, EVENT is at the forefront of the experience the previous 52 weeks, for each product, by each through cost reductions or reallocation of economy and delivers over 40 million customer experiences annually. From movies and adventure to travel Event Cinemas in Australia and New Zealand. The resources to more valuable tasks and dining, EVENT believes that in an increasingly busy world, an outstanding experience can make the day result; Event Cinemas now understands supply and better and create lasting memories. • Improved customer satisfaction demand trends — right across the network — and EVENT owns the largest cinema circuits in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany under the brands Event uses these insights to propose the recommended Cinemas, Birch Carroll and Coyle, Cinestar, Greater Union, and Moonlight Cinema. EVENT also owns and order requirements based on RPA data for each Partnership for success through operates more than 60 hotels, including Rydges Hotels and Resorts, QT Hotels and Resorts, and Atura product. EdgeVerve Hotels. In the leisure space, EVENT operates Australia’s much-loved ski resort, Thredbo Alpine Resort, This recommended order quantity feature also To support the delivery of these projects, in and one of Australia’s oldest theatres, the State Theatre. The company also owns a substantial property considers future demand variables and provides a conjunction with the EdgeVerve Team, Event portfolio. rolling 12-week order forecast for cinema operation Hospitality and Entertainment developed its own methodology and operations plan to manage With over 9,000 employees, the Group shares a passion for creating truly exceptional customer experiences, and planning purposes. The recommended order the RPA / AI program. Led by Mark Pinder, this world-class hospitality, and continuous innovation. EVENT is committed to protecting and giving back to the and prediction are also delivered to the cinemas, methodology combines best practices from the communities in which it exists through a focus on sustainability, fundraising, and diversity. using automated communications, by 7 am weekly. waterfall and agile approaches. An 8-stage waterfall EVENT listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 1962 and trades under the ASX code of EVT. It project approach retains sufficient governance has a market capitalization of $2 billion. Automation of a centralized order while deliverable activities within each stage take process for all suppliers an agile approach to project delivery.

Each Cinema Management and the Entertainment Perhaps the key success driver has also been Food & Beverage Team reviews the recommended incorporating the ProSci Change Management 28 29 The Edge Quarterly Conclusion The Edge Quarterly

Designing the entire process with human- assisted intelligent Automation capabilities in mind has ensured the successful adoption of the new process across all stakeholder groups. These cinema projects are proving to deliver a favorable result across all metrics.

Staff resources have been freed, enabling greater focus to be given to tasks that are methodology across the operations plan. meaningful to cinema staff and that have Mark suggests this approach is a good fit and a positive impact on the organization, ensures change management is considered ultimately increasing customer engagement throughout the entire lifecycle of the project. and the overall customer experience. Event Hospitality and Entertainment utilizes From ideation to deployment, the full project onsite EdgeVerve resources and offshore took just under six months. Event Hospitality resources in India. However, the team is and Entertainment is now seeking to seen as one combined team internally, leverage this capability for re-use into other with EdgeVerve staff embedded in the areas of the business and will continuously company’s culture. The combined team also explore ways to advance the process further shares the same key drivers for the RPA / AI by increasing the use of cognitive automated program, which are revenue recognition, cost solutions. reduction, productivity gain, and experience. So, the next time you visit Event Cinemas to experience the thrilling 4DX concept, the latest Boutique Cinema experience, the luxurious Gold Class menu, or you simply can’t wait to grab a popcorn and drink combo, spare a thought for how technology and Automation have helped deliver the best experience possible! ■

30 31 The Edge Quarterly Conclusion The Edge Quarterly

Designing the entire process with human- assisted intelligent Automation capabilities in mind has ensured the successful adoption of the new process across all stakeholder groups. These cinema projects are proving to deliver a favorable result across all metrics.

Staff resources have been freed, enabling greater focus to be given to tasks that are methodology across the operations plan. meaningful to cinema staff and that have Mark suggests this approach is a good fit and a positive impact on the organization, ensures change management is considered ultimately increasing customer engagement throughout the entire lifecycle of the project. and the overall customer experience. Event Hospitality and Entertainment utilizes From ideation to deployment, the full project onsite EdgeVerve resources and offshore took just under six months. Event Hospitality resources in India. However, the team is and Entertainment is now seeking to seen as one combined team internally, leverage this capability for re-use into other with EdgeVerve staff embedded in the areas of the business and will continuously company’s culture. The combined team also explore ways to advance the process further shares the same key drivers for the RPA / AI by increasing the use of cognitive automated program, which are revenue recognition, cost solutions. reduction, productivity gain, and experience. So, the next time you visit Event Cinemas to experience the thrilling 4DX concept, the latest Boutique Cinema experience, the luxurious Gold Class menu, or you simply can’t wait to grab a popcorn and drink combo, spare a thought for how technology and Automation have helped deliver the best experience possible! ■

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