The benefits of automated data collection (ADC) systems in produce traceability are not just about achieving food safety to meet regulatory compliance mandates. Early adopters of ADC for end-to-end produce traceability are seeing other important gains, including employee productivity and operational efficiency, ultimately leading to significant cost savings.
If you haven’t noticed, it’s time to pay attention because the shift from manual pen-and-paper methods to automated data capture for the produce industry is more than a trend—it’s 100% necessary and happening across the food supply chain today.
Labor shortages in the market are currently driving this shift, but soon, there will be an urgent need to meet FSMA 204 and other regulatory compliance mandates. Proactive growers, packer-shippers, and distributors are motivated to go digital to achieve the bigger benefits of improved employee productivity, operational efficiencies, and cost reductions from error mitigation.
Upgrading your systems and processes today will help streamline data management and maximize workflow productivity.
Upgrade Legacy Grower Accounting Systems for Streamlined Data Capture
Modernizing legacy grower accounting systems with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions is a critical step. Systems like Microsoft Business Central D365 and Compu-Tech Software offer robust integration capabilities, streamlining data management and enhancing traceability. These upgrades ensure compliance with upcoming regulations like FSMA 204 while providing a scalable foundation for future growth.
Deardorff Farms’ shift to handheld devices for order fulfillment eliminated paperwork, increased loading accuracy, and virtually eradicated misloads. According to Scott Deardorff, Vice President of Deardorff Farms, of Oxnard, CA, this transition created invaluable operational efficiencies. Read the full story.
Maximizing Workforce Productivity with Automated Data Collection
In today’s tight labor market, getting the most out of your workforce is paramount. Automated data collection (ADC) systems leveraging mobile barcode scanners have been proven to boost productivity significantly.
ADC systems also deliver enhanced operational efficiency by automating staging and shipment verification as well as lot traceability and monitoring. Key results of EDC adoption include:
Integration capabilities are a hallmark of advanced ADC systems. These systems can interface with grower accounting and ERP systems and facilitate import/export functions. This ensures that all relevant data is captured and managed within a unified framework, enhancing data accuracy and decision-making.
Orchard View Cherries of The Dalles, OR, tripled its output without increasing its headcount, and Sundale Vineyards of Tulare, CA, doubled its warehouse space without adding staff by implementing a modern EDC system. These systems effectively pay for themselves, highlighting the transformative impact of EDC on productivity by optimizing labor usage and enabling workers to focus on value-added tasks rather than manual data entry.
Built-In FSMA Traceability
EDC systems simplify compliance with FSMA traceability requirements. These systems have built-in data collection APIs or CSV export functionalities, facilitating seamless integration with external systems such as iFoods. This ensures that all traceability data is accurately captured and easily accessible for audits and compliance reporting.
By implementing a modern EDC system, Kershaw Companies of greater Yakima, WA, reduced its inventory movement and truck loading staff by 30%, from 22 to 15 people. This significant reduction in labor costs essentially paid for their traceability efforts. Read the full story (link to blog post)
Immediate Benefits Realized to Stay Competitive
Transitioning from manual pen-and-paper methods to electronic data capture systems is not just about meeting future compliance mandates. It’s about reaping immediate benefits in employee productivity, operational efficiencies, and cost reductions from error mitigation. As the produce industry evolves, investing in ADC systems will be essential for staying competitive and ensuring sustainable growth.
RedLine Solutions, with over 25 years of experience delivering high-ROI solutions, is a trusted partner in this journey. RedLine Solutions provides produce expertise for designing and implementing modern ADC systems with industry-leading software like MyProduce™ to support growers, packers, and shippers in achieving their operations, cost reduction, and traceability goals.
For 27 years, RedLine Solutions has been the trusted partner in inventory and traceability for fresh produce stakeholders across North America. Serving a myriad of commodities, we tailor solutions to your workflow. Our offerings, from hardware to software, coupled with deep expertise, ensure your produce operations management is in the best hands.
