Customer
Arthur J Granby & Sons Limited, Liverpool

Business
Industrial Butchers & Meat Processors

Original Purpose(s) for using ProdTrac
Traceability requirements

Secondary Purpose(s)
Business Management

Experiences
The company originally needed a means of controlling traceability of ingredients, work-in-progress materials and finished products. Customers include food processors supplying directly to the major retailers, and recent audits had identified a weakness in providing traceability details, particularly in tracing back to suppliers and in identifying details of work-in-progress. There were concerns that business would be lost if traceability gaps were not closed.

ProdTrac immediately enabled traceability to be satisfied in a practical way. Secondary immediate benefits were the automation of stock controls and shelflife rotation. The addition of pricing information on purchased ingredients meant that stock valuations could be automated for ingredients and manufactured products.

Although the company operates the Sage Line 50 Accounting program, it prefers to use ProdTrac for all transactions from purchase order creation to sales invoicing. Financial details on purchases and sales are exported to Sage.

The secure traceability system has satisfied all customer concerns. All subsequent technical audits have accepted that the ProdTrac database can provide any traceability information that might be required, and as a result additional new business has been secured.

The database is networked on SQL Server.

Opinions

A J Granby’s now use the ProdTrac program for all business management transactions. On many occasions, the database has proved invaluable in providing accurate stock levels and shelflife information. The system has been examined and endorsed by the on-site Meat Hygiene officers. During an unscheduled audit, the local Trading Standards Office has also been shown the program and was completely satisfied. They were particularly impressed that the program provides a solution to the tracing of allergens in ingredients: this is the next section of legislation that they have to audit in food processing operations.

A J Granby’s are considering applying for BRC accreditation, and have been given an initial audit by an independent food consultants. The consultants were so impressed by the ProdTrac system that they are now recommending it to other clients.

Conclusions

A J Granby are very pleased with the system, and are willing to recommend or demonstrate it to any prospective clients.

Customer
Broad Oak Farm Sausage Company Limited, Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex

Business
Speciality Sausage and Cooked Ham manufacture

Original Purpose(s) for using ProdTrac
Traceability

Secondary Purpose(s)

Technical management improvement.
Business management

Experiences
The company manufactures and supplies own brand and retailer brand products to major retailers and also to independent outlets via van sales. To satisfy retailer requirements for traceability, an improved system was needed to replace the incomplete paperwork system traditionally used.

The Technical Department identified that the ProdTrac program could provide the ideal solution, particularly as it could be customised to their requirements. The Purchasing Department also recognised the advantages that ProdTrac could offer in business management. Although the company has Sage Line 50, it is only partially used, and not regarded as user-friendly. In contrast, the ProdTrac business features are really appreciated and will eventually replace Sage to the point of invoice exporting.

A number of customised reports have been developed specifically for Broad Oak.

Broad Oak have been very pro-active in helping to develop the system. They have suggested a number of applications that would help to extend the range and usefulness of the program, and we are working on these enhancements.

They have recommended the program to their local Trading Standards Office, who are very impressed with the standard features, in particular traceability and allergen management.

Opinions
Broad Oak are very pleased to have decided on using the program, and appreciate the level of customer support we provide.

Conclusions
A very successful installation. Broad Oak now have a system networked across 3 user stations with a secure server.

Customer
The Good Earth Group (T/A PineGlade Limited), London NW10

Business
Chinese Meals Production

Original Purpose(s) for using ProdTrac
Business Management

Secondary Purpose(s)
Traceability

Experiences
The Good Earth business operates a chain of high class Chinese restaurants in and around London. Meals are developed and produced in a central processing unit which supplies the restaurants and also independent hotels in central London.

The company employs an independent food consultant specialising in European food service systems. He had recommended that a traceability system would be needed to meet the new traceability legislation. The business had looked at several possible solutions, but decided on the ProdTrac system because of the business management information it provides. They did not need persuading that the real benefits of recording traceability information are the business analysis uses where that information can be used.

The company operates the Sage Line 50 Accounting program, but uses ProdTrac for all food and packaging transactions from purchase order creation to sales invoicing. Financial details on purchases and sales are exported to Sage. Sage is used for non-food transactions.

Opinions

Good Earth have recommended ProdTrac to several of their own suppliers and associate companies, and are willing to demonstrate the program.

The consultant endorsed the ProdTrac system before a decision was made, and he is now keen to help demonstrate and market the program to other clients.

Conclusions

Good Earth are very pleased with the system and are forecasting its extension to the satellite restaurant sites as business develops.