In the food industry, batch equalization is important to the overall success of an organization. It reduces cost and saves time by maximizing materials and identifying new opportunities in the form of surpluses that can be used in different ways. And, if you want to improve your batch equalization efforts, then you need the right ERP solution.
Importance of Batch Equalization
The importance of batch equalization and management can’t be understated. It plays a vital role in any organization’s ability to maximize resources and to increase top-to-bottom efficiency. Some of the biggest benefits of accurate batch equalization include:
- With streamlined batch equalization, there’s a noticeable decrease in recipe changeover times. This leads to more output and less wasted time between steps.
- A comprehensive batch equalization strategy automates steps like mixing and handling, which allows individual cooks to increase productivity and to focus their energies on the steps that truly matter.
- Better batch equalization ultimately means that there’s more consistency in taste, quality, and output of products regardless of who’s handling the operations.
The problem is that batch management is typically manually intensive in nature. Traditionally, this has meant that organizations have had to choose between an expensive investment in batch management or exposure to the risks associated with lack of such an investment. Thankfully, these days are now in the rearview mirror.
The Role of ERP
The introduction of food ERP solutions over the past few years means that batch equalization is no longer a labor-intensive responsibility that’s reserved for companies with endless streams of resources. Now, anyone can afford an ERP solution that makes batch management feasible and effective
“With batch management, users can define business rules for each recipe, such as which equipment can be used (preferences) and which equipment must be used (requirements),” expert Shelia Kennedy explains. “If a rule establishes that a tank must be clean and sterile, the system will locate a suitable unit. If a rule is assigned to pick the first available unit, the recipe will start as soon as that equipment is available rather than waiting for an operator to initiate it manually.”
In order more fully to understand the benefits of better batch management and the role of ERP, let’s check out a few of the top benefits associated with them.
1. Eliminates Operator Error
Even the best cook or operator makes mistakes; it’s just human nature. Sadly, even a single mistake can lead to subsequent mistakes and eventually compromise a brand’s image. The only way to ensure batch equalization is by preventing the possibility of human mistakes altogether.
Many of today’s leading solutions operate on the premise that the best solution is prevent operators from making mistakes by forcing them to confirm and to verify each and every step that they take. This includes selecting and measuring ingredients, mixing items, setting times, establishing consistency, setting temperatures, and more.
Every system is different, but most require operators to input the proper information in order to proceed to the next step. This removes the majority of inconsistencies and ensures that everything is consistent.
2. Maximizes Materials
In food organizations, wasted ingredients represent huge losses and can totally damage a company’s profit margins and overall revenues. Batch equalization prevents many of these losses by identifying new ways in which ingredient surpluses can be used. This ensures that waste is kept to an absolute minimum and that more raw materials can be translated into product.
3. Allows for Better Scalability
For growing organizations, one of the biggest challenges comes in the form of growing without straining processes and technologies. Well, batch equalization eliminates some of these issues by ensuring that organizations are able to scale in ways that are both practical and logical.
When organizations are able to establish consistency, maximize materials, and create a solid infrastructure for managing production processes, scaling becomes less of a nuisance and more of a practical step.
4. Intellectual Property Protection
According to Kennedy, batch management also allows for intellectual property protection of both recipes and equipment. If a device or file were to fall into the wrong hands, the recipes couldn’t be opened by someone without security clearance and authorization. For companies that depend heavily on intellectual property, this is a huge safety net.
Ready for a specialized food ERP? Learn more about Aptean Food & Beverage ERP JustFood Edition — a solution purpose-built to solve your challenges and propel your food business and digital transformation to the next level.
