In 2021, there are many options available for food manufacturing software solutions. All of them claim to help your company streamline operations and boast robust features and applications, but how can you tell which solution is right for your business? Which elements are most important in a software solution specifically for food manufacturers?
No matter your process, the software solution you choose must have the functionality to support your unique needs for production, inventory, quality, cost control, lot traceability, FDA compliance, planning and scheduling, warehouse operations, and more.
Here are 4 must-have software functionalities for Food and Beverage manufacturers in 2021.
Inventory Control
It is critical that your business’s software addresses the management of ingredients and raw materials in a meticulous fashion. From receiving and production to intermediate, finished, and shipped, inventory records must be carefully tracked and frequently updated in detail. Essential functionality for inventory control includes real-time location control, lot expiration date, best by date, country of origin, barcoding, and warehouse management.
Traceability and End-to-End Visibility
One of the worst situations a Food and Beverage company can find itself in is a product recall. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, F&B recalls have skyrocketed over 92% since 2012, making it more important than ever for manufacturers and distributors to update and automate their systems for real-time end-to-end traceability.
Many businesses have several systems and islands of automation that track materials and ingredients along the way, but some of these systems take too long to register the most recent updates and are plagued by manual entry and human error. A reliable, integrated system with real-time visibility and traceability ensures the highest standards of food quality with detailed real-time reports, making it easy to identify exactly when and where potential issues may arise and stop problems in their tracks.
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Quality Management
It has never been more important to ensure your customer’s expectations are exceeded consistently by the quality of your products, and your ERP software should make that easy! When selecting a software solution for your F&B business, look for comprehensive quality management features; this can help your business avoid customer chargebacks, fines, and wasted time.
Compliance
USDA and FDA compliance processes are a compulsory feature for F&B software in 2021. To meet federal and industry-specific regulations, a great software system will have the functionality to monitor label claims and nutritional fact panels and include accurate reporting tools. Look for a system that captures information every step of the way, from receipt to production and shipping.
Are you looking for a comprehensive food manufacturing software solution for your business in 2021?
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Click here to learn more about how Attivo All-in-One can help set your F&B business up for success in the New Year.