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PROFILE® FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

What is PROFILE®?
PROFILE is the foodservice industry source for product information.  It is used by foodservice distributors, operators and brokers to source products and to provide complete and up-to-date information on the products they purchase each day.  Foodservice manufacturers maintain the product information in PROFILE, and submit changes to their descriptions on a regular basis.  PROFILE users can view the product information on the internet at www.profileshowcase.com, The information is also integrated into sales force automation and web ordering applications, placing detailed product specifications, nutritional information, ingredient statements and images in front of the operator at the point of sale.

What is the IFDA Standard Format?
The PROFILE® database of product information utilizes the IFDA Standard Format. This standard format was created in 1991 by a committee of leading food industry professionals under the direction of IFDA (International Foodservice Distributors Association). The committee recognized the need for a non-proprietary, standardized format for the electronic exchange of product information. Having a standard ensures that the information can be easily shared between trading partners and can be imported into any software application. AFS Technologies is a foodservice industry software provider that manages the database.  AFS offers a complete line of products and services to improve foodservice operations for distributors and manufacturers.  Visit www.afsi.com for information on all AFS products and services.

Who is the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA)?
The International Foodservice Distributors Association is a trade organization of foodservice distributors serving operations throughout the U.S., Canada, and other countries. IFDA members include broadline, system, and specialty distributors with operations ranging from regional to international scope.
As a trade organization, IFDA represents foodservice distributors throughout the U.S., Canada, and internationally. IFDA's 135 members include broadline and specialty foodservice distributors that supply food and related products to restaurants, institutions, and other food away from home foodservice operations. IFDA members operate more than 550 facilities, and sell more than $64 billion in food and related products to the fastest growing sector in the food industry. Formerly a part of the umbrella organization Food Distributors International, IFDA was established as an independent trade association on January 1, 2003.

Who is AFS Technologies (AFS)?
AFS Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of food and beverage enterprise software solutions. The company serves over 500 customers across North America and the Caribbean with software designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency, streamline internal processes and assist in regulatory compliances.  AFS offers the food and beverage industries the only software solution that provides a complete suite of fully-integrated software applications, utilizing a database independent design, and a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) built on the Microsoft .NET framework.  Solutions available include Distribution and Financial solutions, Sales and Marketing applications, Advanced Warehouse Management, Transportation software and Database Services featuring the industries largest database of product information and recipes, the PROFILE® Database. For additional information please visit our websites: www.afsi.com www.profileshowcase.com and www.recipeshowcase.com

Why should I have my product information in an electronic format?
The impact that technology has had on the food industry over the last ten years has been outstanding. Today a vast majority of transactions are taking place electronically, Things like product research and menu development, product knowledge training and even remote direct order entry. Having your information available in an electronic format ensures that it can be readily available in the marketplace.
Utilizing PROFILE provides a seamless way to ensure that your information can be used in all of the software applications that are available.

How is the product information used?
Manufacturers and brokers realize the benefits of having all of the information about their products easily accessible in one location. Distributor purchasing and marketing personnel can access the information with the touch of a button when developing marketing plans or making purchasing decisions. DSR’s with laptops can enhance their product knowledge by reviewing the information anytime and they also benefit by being able to answers questions in the field without calling the office for support. Today more and more foodservice operators are placing their order themselves through some type of electronic process. Having product information available at their fingertips enables them to make better buying decisions.

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