The food and beverage industry operates under a microscope, with consumer safety being the primary focus. Stringent regulations, such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), demand meticulous record-keeping and traceability. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a robust platform to help food and beverage manufacturers meet these challenges and ensure product safety.

ERP Addresses Key Food Safety Challenges

1. Traceability

Accurately tracking products from raw materials to finished goods.  

2. Recall Management

Efficiently handling product recalls to minimize impact.

3. Allergen Management

Managing allergens to prevent contamination and allergic reactions.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Adhering to complex food safety regulations.

5. Quality Control

Maintaining consistent product quality throughout the entire production process.

 

Business Central for Food & Beverage Manufacturing

 Business Central provides a comprehensive approach to food safety management by integrating various features and functionalities that streamline and enhance the way food safety processes are managed.

Lot and Batch Tracking

Microsoft Business Central offers robust lot and batch tracking capabilities, crucial for the food and beverage manufacturing industry required to maintain detailed inventory control and traceability. This feature allows you to track specific batches of products throughout their lifecycle, from production or purchase to sale or consumption. Lot or batch numbers provide a unique identifier for each product group, enabling you to trace its origin, production date, expiration date, and other relevant information. Business Central allows you to define which transactions require lot or batch numbers through item tracking codes. These codes can be assigned to specific items based on your tracking needs. The system supports various tracking methods, including serial numbers for individual items and lot numbers for batches. Additionally, you can associate expiration dates with lot numbers to manage product shelf life effectively.

Expiration Date Management

Business Central provides a comprehensive solution for managing expiration dates, integrating various features to streamline and optimize this aspect of food safety management. You can designate whether an item requires expiration date tracking during item setup. Expiration dates are often linked to lot numbers, enabling granular control over specific product batches. Business Central supports both FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expiry, First Out) inventory valuation methods. The system can be configured to send warnings as items approach their expiration dates, and detailed reports can be generated to analyze inventory levels based on expiration dates.

Allergen Management

Allergen management is crucial for businesses handling food products. With Business Central, you can define item-specific attributes to indicate allergens present in a product within item setup. These attributes can be used to filter items, create reports, and track allergen information. By accurately defining the ingredients in each product within the bill of materials, you can trace allergens through the production process. Lot and batch tracking can help identify the source of potential allergen contamination in case of recalls. Custom fields and reports can be created to store additional allergen-related information and analyze allergen data.

Quality Control

Microsoft Business Central provides a solid foundation for implementing quality control processes in the food and beverage industry. Detailed item specifications, including quality parameters, tolerances, and allergen information, can be defined during item setup. Lot and batch tracking ensures traceability and enables identification of potential quality issues. Quality checks can be integrated into production order workflows to monitor product quality throughout the manufacturing process. Expiration dates, shelf life, and storage conditions can be managed to prevent the distribution of subpar products through inventory management. Quality control records, inspection reports, and certifications can be stored and accessed electronically through document management. Custom fields and workflows can be created to accommodate specific quality control requirements.

Document Management

Business Central’s document management solution streamlines food and beverage manufacturing processes by providing a centralized repository, version control, and workflow automation. This ensures compliance with industry regulations, such as HACCP and FDA. By streamlining document management, businesses can improve efficiency, enhance quality control, and reduce costs.

Audit Trail

A detailed audit trail provides a comprehensive record of changes made to data within the system. This includes information such as who made the change, when it was made, and what was changed. This feature is essential for maintaining data integrity, complying with regulatory requirements, and troubleshooting issues. By tracking changes to data, businesses can identify unauthorized access, detect errors, and investigate discrepancies.

 

Benefits of a Robust Food Safety System

 Business Central provides a comprehensive approach to food safety management by integrating various features and functionalities that streamline and enhance the way food safety processes are managed.

Consumer Protection

Food safety is all about consumer protection. The food and beverage industry serves the community and with a robust safety solution ensures that products are safe, accurately labeled, and traceable in the event of a recall. This protects consumers from harm, promotes informed decision-making, and helps maintain trust between manufacturers and consumers.

Regulatory Compliance

By automating processes and providing a centralized platform for data management, Business Central reduces the risk of errors, enhances transparency, and facilitates compliance. This not only helps businesses avoid costly penalties but also strengthens consumer trust and protects brand reputation.

Brand Protection

By providing a centralized platform for managing product information, quality control data, and traceability records, Business Central helps manufacturers maintain consistent product standards and prevent brand damage. The system’s ability to track product lifecycles, identify potential issues, and facilitate rapid responses to recalls ensures that brand reputation remains intact. Additionally, Business Central’s integration with other business functions, such as sales and marketing, enables manufacturers to effectively manage brand messaging and customer experiences, reinforcing brand identity and loyalty.

Cost Reduction

Business Central offers significant cost-reduction benefits for food and beverage manufacturers. By automating key processes, such as inventory management, production planning, and quality control, businesses can reduce labor costs and minimize manual errors. The system’s ability to optimize resource allocation and streamline workflows also leads to improved efficiency and reduced waste. Additionally, Business Central’s real-time data analytics provide valuable insights into operations, enabling manufacturers to identify areas for cost savings and make data-driven decisions. Overall, by leveraging Business Central, food and beverage manufacturers can achieve greater operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve profitability.

Operational Efficiency

Business Central significantly enhances operational efficiency while ensuring food safety in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. By automating key processes, such as production planning, inventory management, and quality control, businesses can reduce manual errors, streamline workflows, and improve overall efficiency. The system’s traceability features, lot tracking, and real-time data analytics enable manufacturers to identify and address potential food safety issues promptly, minimizing risks and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Additionally, Business Central’s integration with other business functions, such as supply chain management and sales, helps to optimize operations and reduce waste, ultimately improving overall efficiency and profitability while maintaining the highest standards of food safety.

 

By investing in Business Central, food and beverage manufacturers can strengthen their food safety programs, protect their brand, and build consumer confidence. The system’s integrated features, such as traceability, lot tracking, and quality control, provide a robust framework for ensuring food safety and compliance with industry regulations.

Ready to automate safety and compliance in your food and beverage manufacturing business with Business Central? Talk to an expert now!