Lot Control: A Non-Negotiable Feature for Food Distributors

Imagine this: it’s the end of a long day. You’ve moved and delivered tens of thousands of products. You’re just about to clock out when – ding! – a recall notice hits your inbox. Suddenly, your evening plans have been replaced with a frantic search for answers.

Sound familiar? Recalls are a reality in food distribution, and when they happen, every second counts. You need to pinpoint the problem, notify customers, and pull affected stock as quickly as possible. For businesses managing complex supply chains, this can feel like an impossible task – especially if your systems aren’t equipped to handle the intricacies of lot control.

What Makes Lot Control Essential?

Lot control isn’t just about keeping tabs on inventory. Having the visibility on the entirety of the product’s journey, from its origin to final decision, keeps everything running smoothly, from meeting compliance standards to earning customer trust.

For businesses with complex operations – like multi-company or multi-national structures – having all this information in one centralized system is invaluable. It eliminates the need for disparate tracking methods, streamlines processes, and provides the confidence to manage recalls, audits, and customer demands efficiently.

Advanced ERP systems tailored for food distribution address these challenges by offering robust tools that simplify lot tracking, enhance traceability, and integrate seamlessly with other critical business functions.

1. Rapid Recall Response

Recalls can be a logistical nightmare without robust lot tracking. Some of the necessary tools for food manufacturers and distributors include:

• Farm-to-Customer Tracking: You can identify not just the warehouse location of affected lots, but also the farm they came from and the customers who received them.
• Custom Lot Requirements: Tailor lot tracking to meet specific customer expectations, such as ensuring products like dairy or meat meet “use by” or “sell by” timelines. For example, some retailers require a specific percentage of product life remaining at the time of delivery.
• Recall Controls: Prevent affected inventory from being shipped, ensuring compliance and reducing risk during recall situations.

2. Proactive Customer Communication

Notifying customers during a recall can be one of the most challenging and stressful parts of the process. Lot control takes the guesswork out by connecting every product lot to its specific transaction, so you always know which customers were affected. This means you can act quickly to notify them and provide clear, actionable information.

For food distributors handling complex supply chains, precision is everything. Having the right tools in place ensures that data is accurate and accessible, helping you avoid the chaos of mismatched records or delayed responses. It’s all about making a difficult situation more manageable and protecting trust with your customers.

3. Compliance and Traceability Made Easy

Whether it’s preparing for a routine audit or meeting new traceability regulations, having a system that tracks every lot’s journey from supplier to customer keeps you ready for anything.

With full visibility into your supply chain, you can easily meet federal, state, and industry requirements without overwhelming your team.

4. Sustainability

As consumers demand greater transparency in how their food is sourced and produced, food distributors are under pressure to demonstrate ethical and sustainable practices. More than half (57%) have already made efforts to reduce waste in the supply chain, and digital reporting helps food companies track environmental, social and governance metrics against their suppliers to ensure they’re meeting expectations.

Why Dynamics 365 Business Central?

When it comes to ERP systems for food distribution, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central stands out as the go-to solution. Here’s why:

• Integrated Lot Control: Track every lot from the moment it enters your warehouse to the moment it leaves, and beyond. Whether it’s tracking specific batches, automating recall reports, or identifying trends, Business Central keeps it all in one place.
• Enhanced Traceability: Go beyond the basics with advanced tracking capabilities that make compliance and recall management effortless.
• Microsoft Ecosystem Benefits: Business Central isn’t just an ERP – it’s part of a larger, fully integrated platform. From Power BI for real-time analytics to the seamless collaboration tools in Microsoft 365, you’re equipped with everything you need to run a smarter, more connected business.
• Tailored Expertise: DynamicsFoodERP brings unparalleled experience in designing Business Central implementations for industries like food distribution and process manufacturing. With a track record of over 700 upgrades and dozens of rescue projects, they know how to address even the most complex requirements.

The Future of Food Distribution

In 2024, the food industry faces more challenges than ever. From rising regulatory demands to increasing consumer expectations around transparency, the pressure is on. Yet, many still struggle with outdated systems that make it hard to respond effectively to recalls.

Don’t let your business be one of them. With the right ERP system – and the right partner to guide you – you can achieve seamless lot control, improve traceability, and stay ahead of the competition.

Ready to see how DynamicsFoodERP and partners like Liberty Grove can revolutionize your business? Contact us today to learn more about how we help food distributors like you tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.