The dairy and cheese industries struggle with many manual, paper systems particularly in the quality management space. Often, manufacturing may have a small LIMS to manage samples and results, but there are many business processes not managed by the LIMS as well as many ad-hoc systems in place. These business processes are paper-driven, difficult to manage and assess whether they were completed correctly, timely, or at all, or if the results of the data collection passed or failed specification. Notification and escalation of issues can often be delayed, resulting in lost or lower quality product that could have been saved if the proper information had been made available to the correct person in a timely manner.
Dairy Workflow Automation is designed to quickly address manual processes that are traditionally managed through paper.
Although the application is designed to replace manual processes, it can be extended to integrate data collection and the triggering of workflows directly from equipment. These applications can be rapidly and easily deployed to a client’s facility using predefined templates to address issues in many areas. The top seven benefits for the dairy industry to utilize workflow automation include the following:
1. HACCP
The Dairy Workflow Automation provides the capability to automate data collection, notification and corrective actions, which reduce the amount of manual work required to follow SQF Level 3 directives. Flexware can provide assistance in all phases of your HACCP program implementation and assessment.
2. Inventory Management
Inventory processes including inspection, receiving staging, put-away, production staging, post-production put-away, WIP, and finished goods management can be more automated rather than simply paper processes
3. Master Sanitation Schedule
Flexware provides a sample Master Sanitation Schedule for tasks that are to be completed daily, bi-weekly, weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually. The application provides automatic notification and tracking of the tasks and follows SQF Level 3 Directives.
4. Operator Check Sheets
The Dairy Workflow Automation provides the ability to create operator check sheets that operators would use prior to the start of shift, end of shift, or at startup. The sheets can include instructions, data collection, and associated actions should problems arise during checkout.
5. Equipment Maintenance
Flexware has also provided a workflow template for implementation of preventive maintenance tasks. This supplements and enhances the asset management capabilities provided by a client’s maintenance management system. Automated meter readings, equipment checks, and recording tolerances are simple to manage, record and analyze with the Dairy Workflow Automation.
6. Lab Processes
There are many manual processes and works flows in the lab. These process can be automated to ensure prompt attention and monitoring as required. Automation provides a higher level of support for the “what, when and how” documentation and communication processes, as for a recall process.
7. Quality Inspections
Manual data collection for quality inspections in operations can be scheduled to ensure compliance and tracking of results. Failure of a quality test can trigger another workflow that might include escalation, retest, or a corrective action.
VP of Strategic Initiatives
Husband, father to four crazy boys, and a new grandpa. Music and baseball junkie. During the weekends, you’ll find me building and fixing things. I love the country.
