Cutting Costs and Boosting Connection: How VZO Reporting Saved $24,000 | Northwest Missouri State

Signal

Before VZO, ordering and catering relied on guesswork. Staff over-estimated attendance and stock, leading to thousands of dollars in unused materials and food. When vendor contracts changed, those assumptions became expensive mistakes.

System

Using VZO’s Reporting tools, Brandi Bix’s team began collecting exact data on T-shirt sizes and guest counts. Reports could be pulled instantly for vendors, advisors, and dining partners, replacing paper schedules and spreadsheets. By comparing guest counts against real attendance, the team reduced meal waste and kept every order within range.

With the same reporting flexibility, they adjusted shirt orders down to precise sizes, cutting costs while still ensuring every attendee received the correct item.

Outcome

In two years, catering expenses dropped from $59,000 to $34,000 and shirt waste nearly disappeared. The freed-up funds were redirected toward programs that help students bond and stay engaged, including $6,000 in bingo prizes and the return of the Playfair icebreaker.

Brandi notes that the financial savings are important, but the real impact is student connection and retention.

AI Bridge

Northwest Missouri State’s data-driven reporting model is informing future Insight Agents in VZOS. These agents will analyze real-time participation and spending patterns, helping campuses anticipate needs, adjust resources, and link cost efficiency to student engagement.