The food manufacturing industry is highly reliant on modern technology and software to carry out different operations, such as sourcing raw materials and delivering finished goods to customers, among others. These technologies help food manufacturers to run their operations efficiently by automating repetitive tasks and streamlining supply chain processes.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is amongst the most used software by food manufacturers for carrying out their operations. With time, ERP has improved and can now conduct several functions, such as tracking inventory, managing quality control, and monitoring production processes in one area.
Let’s now take a closer look at what ERP is and how it helps the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
What Is ERP Software?
EPR is part of the food & beverage manufacturing software that helps businesses bring products to the market and handles various stages of manufacturing processes like warehouse management, supply chain management, finances, marketing, etc.
According to a CBS report, around 51% of businesses use food and manufacturing ERP software since it offers a variety of capabilities that the food processing industry needs. It helps them overcome challenges and effectively control their operations.
Key Features of ERP Software
1. Customer Relationship Management –
To improve customer relationships and service, EPR software collects and manages all kinds of customer data, including past purchases, emails, complaints, and communication. This helps manufacturers to handle customers in a more personalized manner and provide better services.
Additionally, It also helps manufacturers to decide which customers to target for cross-selling promotions.
2. Supply Chain Management –
Today, food processing industries prefer their inventory to be tracked at all times to manage their assets and products throughout the whole supply process.
An ERP system designed for supply chain management can handle various tasks, such as inventory and warehouse management, sales and distribution (including returns), and manufacturing. These functions offer several benefits, such as maintaining a complete supplier record, analyzing data, generating real-time reports, and more.
3. Warehouse Management –
Warehouse management is one of the most crucial features of ERP software. It enables workers to manage the picking, packing, and delivery of the products. Furthermore, it guides and makes plans for the workers to conduct their tasks in an efficient manner.
Various strategies are used for picking and packing, including wave picking and zone picking, which are also guided by the ERP software. These strategies are made based on business requirements.
4. Finance Management –
Finance management provides businesses with information on the company’s current and future financial position. This feature also helps manage all the financial data like ledger payables, receivables, tax statements, balance sheets, etc.
It guides the accounting department through the whole process of billing and automates tasks by itself. Furthermore, it allows employees to save time by reducing manual procedures.
5. Marketing Automation –
Automated marketing methods such as SMS, email, and web promotions are commonly used by a range of businesses. When integrated with ERP systems, marketing automation allows businesses to automate many tasks and deliver targeted information to their audience. This streamlined approach can improve efficiency and relevance in marketing efforts.
Marketing automation can be a part of ERP or can be used separately as well.
6. Human Resource Management –
ERP software enables the HR team to handle employee data and fulfill the company’s workforce needs. It combines payroll, benefits, performance reviews, applicant tracking, and employee self-service features to streamline HR operations.
Furthermore, It enhances decision-making with insightful analytics and reduces compliance-related risks by ensuring adherence to government regulations and reporting standards.
Top food Manufacturing ERPs
SYSPRO Food And Beverage Software –
SYSPRO offers ERP solutions that aim to streamline and enhance business operations for their clients. Its user-friendly services and cutting-edge technologies are designed to improve efficiency and productivity. SYSPRO is particularly renowned for its manufacturing and distribution solutions.
Aptean Food And Beverage ERP Just-food Edition –
Aptean offers food and beverage ERP software to businesses, covering the entire process from sales to implementation to support. The company offers a range of ERP solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each business.
Conclusion
The food processing industry has long been dependent on working manually which made the tasks more complex and time-consuming. Now with advanced technologies and various manufacturing and distribution solutions in the market, why not grab the opportunity and make your business more efficient in terms of management?
Jellyfish Technologies can help you make your tasks easier by developing software that will help and guide you throughout the food & beverage manufacturing process.
