Catering Software, Event Management Software for professionals

Both the desktop and web-based options of Caterease are available in three basic versions – Express, Standard and Professional. All three offer robust client and event management. The Express version is specially priced to appeal to smaller operations, while the Professional version includes advanced tools designed specifically to save your company additional time.

The chart below provides a quick glance at some of the main feature differences between the versions. Click any of the features to get more information on that particular tool or module.

Feature	Express	Standard	Professional
Standard Functionality The core features of Caterease, which include comprehensive client and event management, as well as state-of-the-art data-entry tools to make the process of entering information easy and fun.
Optional Program Add-Ins These powerful, popular modules can be added to the basic program for enhanced functionality
Various Software Interfaces Caterease offers robust interfaces with other software applications, including accounting, menu management and room diagramming programs.
Event Calendar This user-friendly tool is designed to mirror the popular Microsoft Outlook calendar – with a day-, week-, workweek-, month- and even year-at-a-glance displays.		Same as Express, plus the ability to put custom notes on the calendar on any day or date range.	Same as Standard, plus Includes added ability to add an event directly from the Calendar.
Customizable Screen Displays Add, rename, rearrange or remove fields and screen tabs to suit your particular business needs.
Customizable Event Prints Create your own contracts, proposals, invoices, back-of-house prints, etc. using a simple print designer tool - including the option to modify font styles, font sizes, field selection and custom logos.
Customizable Food/Service Menus Create and modify any number of custom menus and menu items, including a limitless rich text description of each item.		Same as Express, plus ability to break menus down into "Sub-Menus" for easier organization.	Same as Standard.
Menu Item Retrieval Retrieve limitless menu items into an event dynamically and easily, including the ability to drag and drop multiple items from your pre-defined menus into the party and add custom items on-the-fly in the event. You can even rearrange the order of an event's menu by simply dragging and dropping items into new positions.		Same as Express, plus ability to group menu items into custom packages, link quantities of menu items to the event's guest count and create a default quantity for menu items. Also includes ability to insert items anywhere in an event's menu upon selection.	Same as Standard.
Menu Item Ingredients Create detailed, custom ingredients lists to be automatically included with each individual menu item.	Not Offered	Ingredients lists for menu items can be modified on-the-fly from within a particular event.	Same as Standard.
Menu Items Required Items (Packing List) Create detailed, custom packing lists (number of plates or napkins necessary, chafing dishes, etc.) to be automatically included with each individual menu item.	Not Offered	Packing lists for menu items can be modified on-the-fly from within a particular event.	Same as Standard.
Menu Item Costing Cost can be assigned to a menu item as a whole item, or (in Standard and Professional) can be automatically calculated based on the costs of all ingredients for that item.	A single line-item cost can be assigned to each menu item, and can be modified on-the-fly within a particular event.	Cost can either be handled the same as in Express, or automatically calculated based on the costs of all ingredients for that item.	Same as Standard.
Event Copying An entire event – including its menu, venue, times and all other details – can be instantly copied, and the new party can even optionally be assigned to another client if desired.	Events can be copied to up to two new dates instantly.	Events can be copied to up to ten separate dates at once, can be automatically scheduled to recur daily, weekly, monthly, etc., or can be scheduled to occur on certain weekdays during a particular date range.	Same as Standard
Staffing/Shift Management Designate how many shifts (bartenders, waiters, etc.) are necessary for each event, and assign individual employees to work those shifts. Includes a Shift Wizard to establish rules for each shift based on event details (for example, 1 bartender per 10 guests if the event theme is “Wedding”, etc.).	Not Offered		Includes dynamic Shift Manager, where all shifts and employees for any group of parties can be managed from one window.
Automatic Wait Listing An event with a room conflict can be placed on a wait list, and the program user will be prompted automatically if that space becomes available.	Not Offered
Direct Emailing Email can be sent directly from a variety of areas in the program, including optional attachments of general files or Caterease prints.			Includes Batch Emailing, whereby any number of emails can be sent to any number of recipients with a single mouse click.
Multiple/Batch Printing A single event print – Contract, Invoice, back-of-house print, etc. – or a selection of multiple prints can be generated for an entire group of events with a single mouse click.	Not Offered
Querying Tools Robust, state-of-the-art custom querying and reporting tools can help you instantly find any answers to any questions you have about your business..		Includes enhanced ability to filter and group data on-the-fly.	Includes additional querying tools to specifically track menu item usage, staffing, payments, etc.
Localization of Date/Currency Formats The format of all date and currency details throughout the program conforms to the regional settings of the user's computer. Therefore, users outside of the U.S. will see date and currency formats appropriate for their country.
Data Archiving Instantly choose older events (based on dates and other criteria) to be removed from your everyday database and placed in a separate archive. Events can be then restored from the archive at a future date if desired.	Not Offered		Adds the ability to restore more than one event from the archive at one time.
Audit Trail Track various changes made to events, including the date the change was made and by whom.	Not Offered

Q: If I choose to start with the Express version, can I upgrade later?

A: Absolutely. The upgrade process is seamless. You will not lose or have to re-enter any data.

Q: How much does it cost to upgrade from one version to another?

A: When upgrading from one version to another, your only cost would be the difference between the price of the two versions – period.

Q: Is the Express version specifically for smaller operations, and the Professional version for large businesses?

A: Not necessarily. More specifically, the Express version is PRICED to appeal to smaller operations. However, the versions are really all about functionality. The chart above should help you to determine which version is most applicable for your company. And remember – you can upgrade any time you are ready.