There is little doubt that most process manufacturers strive to upgrade the quality of their products. They work to ensure that their ingredients are safe, refine batch creation, improve consumer labeling, handle harmful wastes effectively, and keep their manufacturing environments spotless.
Excellent food and beverage manufacturers are no exception. They are continually aiming to achieve the best visibility regarding their ingredients and supply sources. They use enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to track their manufacturing from a quality and supply chain perspective and make sure that one of their products doesn’t become another recall statistic.
Similarly, quality control is a priority in the chemical industry. Chemical manufacturers must ensure that their products are manufactured using the correct formulas and that all their finished goods will be rated at the proper potency, eliminating loss of revenue or waste. That’s why having an ERP solution as a chemical processor must be an essential part of strategy and operations.
An ERP solution will support quality control for any manufacturing company, but with these process manufacturers, the software is critical. They need the features and functionality of an outstanding ERP to support and enhance their quality control efforts. The reports, data analysis, and automation tools of ERP combine to leverage the benefits of an essential quality control (QC) program.
What is quality control (QC)?
In both the food and chemical industries, quality control revolves around the idea that mistakes will happen and that identifying and solving these defects and problems early in the process is essential. That’s because catching problems and issues promptly in the production process makes sure that entire batches are not ruined, and products will not be recalled. Quality control is all about frequent and consistent testing and analysis so that any unpredictable results can be remedied quickly.
What are the benefits of a QC program?
With the appropriate quality control systems in place, organizations can achieve substantial market advantages. The following are among the many benefits of a rigorous quality control program:
- An improved reputation in the industry
- Compliance with federal and industry regulations
- Higher productivity and less downtime
- Better transparency and supply chain relationship
- Enhanced worker and consumer safety
- Exceptional reputation management with customers and clients
- Lower costs because of less waste and improved co-product and byproduct results
- Better able to reproduce results through standards and sample measurement accuracy
The advantages of a QC program are unmistakable, as is the means of achieving them.
How can an ERP system help you control quality?
ERP software helps you manage your business. The system collects, stores, controls, and links your essential company data. The database is secured and maintained by a few of your IT personnel. Still, it can be accessed and used in real-time by everyone associated with the company’s operations, quality control program, and regulatory compliance work.
Because the data is obtainable in real-time, the increased visibility allows for making quick and effective decisions anytime during the manufacturing process. Your workers can take corrective actions by placing a batch on hold or tracking backward and forwards if they discover contamination. You can access all data and perform a query to foresee potential issues and come up with preventive measures.
What are the specific advantages of an ERP solution?
The features of an ERP solution might vary, but here are some of the standard items that could provide strategic advantages for your enterprise:
- Analyzing and recording data
- Monitoring tools
- Pulling and analyzing samples from batches
- Tracking and quarantining products
- Archiving data and reports
- Customizable quality control reports
- Generating certificates of analysis
- Integrating results with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Marking items in inventory with at-risk and other QC statuses
Keep in mind that prospects and customers decide who they will do business with based on quality products, the trust they have in your organization, and the speed that you can deliver their goods. An excellent ERP solution can help you guarantee that your company meets these criteria.
The ERP experts at Decision Resources, Inc. are on standby to provide the information you need to introduce and maintain an integrated and more efficient way of ensuring quality control within your food and beverage manufacturing or chemical manufacturing environment. If you’re ready to take a step toward transforming your business with an ERP, please get in touch through our online contact form, call 412-562-9660, or email us at info@decision.com.
