A problem many food manufacturers face is tracking multiple test results per batch for products that require exacting standards. Many rely on spreadsheets for this task, with all the attendant problems: manual maintenance; risk of errors and lack of integration with other systems and processes.
For products that require testing to ensure they conform to quality standards or country of eligibility requirements, Abel captures test results per-batch from internal testing or from external laboratories. Capturing test results in Abel replaces error-prone manual processes and provides visibility of the results to key processes that rely on them.
Recording test results in Abel
Abel provides file imports for test results from internal or laboratory testing. We offer a generic test result load, whereby we map an external test result file to Abel’s load format. We’ve also developed test result file imports for a number of external laboratories (please enquire). This means we can tailor new imports relatively quickly to suit most requirements.
Testing and result recording processes are most often used for:
- Natural ingredients, such as milk or other animal products where the composition of the raw materials can vary
- Manufactured products that must meet strict product specifications, such as baby formula
- Products that require different specifications to meet different countries’ regulations
- Products that can change their composition over time in storage and must be re-tested regularly (and re-graded or re-valued as a result).
Batches of product are tested either in-house or by external laboratories. Test results are recorded against each batch. Depending on test results, batches may be suitable for certain export markets, may require re-grading, may require additives or may be rejected as unsuitable.
Viewing test results in Abel
Abel’s batch register screens can be configured to suit particular products. Some operations require multiple batch register screens, configured in different ways for different products or processes. Though Abel provides a number of standard batch register screens, some tailoring may be required due to differing test results, country of eligibility requirements and other related data. Batch register screens may show test results, country of eligibility data, significant dates, values and other data related to the batch like this example:
Totals for selected Batches
The register screens provide a total that enables you to select combinations of different batches e.g. for blending or other downstream processes. In the batch register, you can select multiple batches and preview the composition that would result if the selected batches were blended. There’s an example in the above screen shot that shows the total of two selected batches.
That was a quick look at test result recording in Abel ERP. For more on quality and testing, see these topics:
Quality Test and Re-Grade your product
Country of Eligibility for batch tracked stock
To find out more about Abel ERP and how it can help your business, please contact us.
Until next time.
Rik