System Overview

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software allows companies to automate many office functions and streamline areas such as manufacturing and technological services. Key benefits see list below of ERP systems move beyond just organizing production activities and also include human resources scheduling, financial reporting and forecasting, quality control documentation and reporting, and integration of planning activities and reporting across the organization (Ultra Corporation, 2017a; Ultra Corporation, 2017b). ERP systems developed for food handling and production businesses also include more detailed item tracking to support food safety regulations, specifically traceability in case of recalls (O’Callaghan, 2017). Additional capabilities found in ERP software for food businesses can be recipe and batch processing functions, real-time inventory management dashboards and analytics, decision support for pricing and sales promotions, as well as preventative maintenance support planning for processing equipment (O’Gallaghan, 2017; Ultra Corporation, 2017a; Ultra Corporation, 2017b). 

Implementing or updating an ERP software system is part of a management style geared towards change, in the form of technology support for automation and digitization of manual processes (Olavsrud, 2017a; Ultra Corporation, 2017a). This concept is referred to as Change Management, or “the discipline of leading individuals, teams and entire organizations through organizational change via a combination of behavioral and social sciences, information technology and business solutions” (Olavsrud, 2017a). To practice a change in management, our team chose Paragon Foods (Paragon). Paragon is a medium-sized food distributor and manufacturer located in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. Their main focus is on “real, fresh, foods”; the company strives to provide fresh, pure and safe food to restaurants, food services, hospitals and universities across western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia (Paragon, n.d. a; Paragon, n.d. b). Paragon has specific needs that require a streamlined system in order to adhere to food safety standards and as well as keep accurate lead times for products. Since Paragon distributes from a warehouse, having accurate inventory counts as well as knowing the exact location of products is necessary.

To practice Change Management, our team recommends JustFoodERP for Paragon to improve efficiency and lower operational costs. JustFood is a top-rated software specifically for the food industry. The main purpose of the software is to provide food companies a streamlined ERP system that can track, record and display data through measures of the companies’ operations and production; food safety, quality and compliance; and food business, finance and accounting (JustFood, n.d. a). The software runs on a Microsoft Cloud Platform and offers specific applications that complement food businesses such as Paragon to completely manage the company from a top-down approach (JustFood, n.d. a). Some of JustFood’s key features include: allergen management, product lifecycle management, food recall and traceability, shipping fleet integration & management, and production scheduling: batch management. JustFood is a valuable software for food businesses due to its ability to integrate features of a corporate business, food distribution and food manufacturing (JustFood, n.d. a). Based on the software and its ability to incorporate various features, JustFood will help Paragon improve quality while managing growth.

Paragon would greatly benefit from the services and features provided by the JustFoodERP software. One of these features from is the warehouse and inventory tracking application. Most food businesses, like Paragon, rely on high product turnover rates to ensure freshness and appropriate delivery times (Gallaugher, 2016). Simultaneously, turnover rates rely heavily on the accuracy of warehouse tracking and reporting. JustFood’s warehouse and inventory tracking application tracks and reports inventory in an easy function that can be integrated with most Microsoft Office applications (JustFood, n.d. b). Therefore, this application would allow Paragon to have an excellent grasp of their food warehouse and functions to ensure freshness and appropriate delivery times to their partners. Another feature of the software allows food businesses to verify and trace the quality of products through comprehensive audits over the lifecycle of production prior and up to delivery (JustFood, n.d. b). The quality of a product goes hand-in-hand with compliance of food safety regulations; food business will generate more sales that follow safety regulations and keep high quality food products in their warehouses. Therefore, the JustFood quality and traceability feature is a valuable application for businesses like Paragon because it can trace food products and protect against food safety violations. Furthermore, the production management feature of JustFood is absolutely necessary. Its ability to manage production scheduling and batching while simultaneously integrating production data across departments is crucial for added efficiency (JustFood, n.d. b). Therefore, any food company dealing both in manufacturing and production, such as Paragon, should implement JustFood to better improve the operational efficiency of the company.

Overall JustFoodERP allows managers to streamline business practices while encouraging growth and improving customer satisfaction. All of the above are absolutely vital to the success of a business, such as Paragon, whose products are time sensitive and necessitate quality of appearance. JustFood provides Paragon with an all-in-one system that enhances manufacturing and distribution with an eye towards food business specific needs. One of the greatest barriers to incorporating new technology is a slow adoption rate and adaptability within the company. The Kodak company’s bankruptcy, for example, can be directly tied to an inability to innovate and adapt to the changes in the technological landscape (Archdeacon & Woo, 2015; Kane, 2017). JustFood works in conjunction with existing ERPs and is relatively easy to implement with the goal to improve adaptability. The software is customizable with many add-on features to further improve efficiency and success in the industry and works on numerous platforms and devices.

JustFoodERP Website

References:

Archdeacon, C. & Woo, J. (2015, March 20). After the Kodak moment. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/video/business/100000003538108/after-the-kodak-moment.html

Gallaugher, J. (2016). Information Systems: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology, v5.0. Washington, DC: Flatworld Knowledge, Inc.

JustFood. (n.d. a). One solution to manage your food business. Retrieved from http://justfooderp.com/software/

JustFood. (n.d. b). Built for food. Retrieved from http://justfooderp.com/software/features/

JustFoodERP. (2012, July 19). 2 mins of Q&A about a JustFoodERP implementation! [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECnoDDk9N1I&feature=youtu.be  

Kane, G. C. (2017, September 18). Digital disruption Is a people problem. MIT Sloan Management Review. Retrieved from https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/digital-disruption-is-a-people-problem/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Read%2Bthe%2Bnew%2Barticle%2Bnow%2B%C2%BB&utm_campaign=Enews%2BDL%2B9%2F19%2F17

O’Callaghan, P. (2017, May 26). Top 10 requirements for ERP in food & beverage industry. Dem Integrated Systems. Retrieved from https://demmachines.com/top-10-requirements-for-erp-in-food-and-beverage-industry/

Olavsrud, T. (2017a, September 21). 10 tips for change management success. CIO Insider. Retrieved from https://www.cio.com/article/3225505/digital-transformation/10-tips-for-change-management-success.html

Paragon. (n.d. a). Facility. Retrieved from http://www.paragonfresh.com/facility/

Paragon. (n.d. b). Our story. Retrieved from http://www.paragonfresh.com/our-story/

Ultra Corporation. (2017a). Food & Beverage industry overview. Ultra Consultants. Retrieved from https://ultraconsultants.com/manufacturing-erp-industries-clients/food-erp/

Ultra Corporation. (2017b). Tier 3 ERP vendors. Ultra Consultants. Retrieved from https://ultraconsultants.com/software-vendors/erp/tier-3/

Ultra Corporation. (2017c). ERP Software vendors. Ultra Consultants. Retrieved from https://ultraconsultants.com/software-vendors/erp/