Beverage control is as important as food control because of the nature of the product. The possibilities for excessive costs to develop because of some forms of theft are probably greater with beverages than with food. Interestingly enough, although everyone recognizes the need for beverage control, it is an area in which, until recently, only limited controls had been successfully instituted by most establishments. The time and effort required and the vast amount of paperwork and calculations necessary for effective control meant that few establishments instituted meaningful control measures. However, in recent times, the introduction of computer hardware and software specifically designed for the beverage industry has made it possible for all establishments to introduce effective control measures at reasonable costs and without management spending long periods of time taking inventory and performing a myriad of calculations.

IN YOUR OPINION, what is the most important aspect of beverage management cost control and why?