Smart software for efficiency in the food industry: the ultimate guide

The time when companies only had to bring a good product to market is behind us. Nowadays, you have to take into account strict traceability regulations, disrupted supply chains, the growing demand for sustainability, and many more challenges. Fortunately, technology grows with you. Here are some of the most widely accepted software solutions in the food and beverage industry.

Food Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): the brain behind your operations

A good ERP system is the backbone of your digital transformation. It brings your critical processes together in one platform: from traceability and quality control to inventory management. One of the biggest advantages? No more scattered Excel sheets or paper administration. Everything is recorded digitally and automated, for example through integrations with barcode scanners and smart devices. This prevents errors and speeds up your processes.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, and Business Central combined with Aptean, they offer a powerful solution for the food industry. Finance & Supply Chain Management is ideal for larger companies with complex supply chains, while Business Central perfectly suits medium-sized businesses looking for scalability and flexibility.

Where Cegeka has developed an accelerator for Finance & Supply Chain Management, Business Central is seamlessly integrated with Aptean to provide sector-specific functionalities such as traceability, quality management, and inventory optimization. In this way, both large and medium-sized companies benefit from an efficient and scalable solution that perfectly matches their operational needs.

Additionally, a food ERP helps you with supply chain management. In case of contamination or a food safety issue, you can immediately trace the source and initiate your recall – some steps can even be carried out automatically.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): maximize your productivity

By combining OEE solutions with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management and Business Central, you gain deep insights into your production efficiency. For example, the integration of Business Central with Aptean software enables the automatic processing of real-time machine data in your ERP system, allowing you to quickly identify bottlenecks and optimize your production planning.

Additionally, you can analyze losses and optimize your changeover and cleaning procedures. This way, you minimize downtime and waste while increasing output and quality.

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM): extend the lifespan of your assets

Dynamics 365 Asset Management offers powerful tools for maintenance management and spare parts inventory control. This system is ideal for larger organizations looking to optimize their maintenance strategies and maximize machine uptime.

For food companies using Business Central, Aptean and Dynaway provide additional EAM functionalities. This combination ensures advanced asset management, including tracking maintenance history and automated service notifications.

Machines and equipment are a significant investment. With a good EAM system, you can manage maintenance and spare parts smartly, preventing breakdowns and increasing the reliability of your production. Additionally, an EAM system helps you comply with health and safety regulations. Preventive maintenance avoids costly downtime and ensures your equipment keeps running at its best.

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): accelerate product development and compliance

With a PLM system, you manage product data — from recipes and ingredients to labeling and packaging — all in one central place. This makes collaboration easier and reduces the chance of errors. PLM is especially useful for food companies because it allows you to quickly respond to changing regulations and trends. Additionally, it helps ensure smooth audits and avoid fines.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management and Business Central do not include built-in PLM functionality, but by integrating a specialized solution such as Bluestar PLM for Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management or Aptean PLM for Business Central, you can streamline product development and ensure regulatory compliance. This supports faster product launches and better management of recipes and labeling requirements.

Bluestar PLM and Aptean PLM offer specific features for the food industry, such as automated approval cycles, recipe version control, and seamless integration with ERP systems.

Transport Management System (TMS): optimize your distribution

Your work isn’t done until products arrive on time and in perfect condition at the customer’s location. A Transportation Management System (TMS) helps you optimize routes, reduce transportation costs, and gain real-time visibility into deliveries. Multi-carrier TMS selects the best carrier, while ePOD (electronic proof of delivery) reduces paperwork and provides greater insight into shipment status. This is ideal for food companies delivering directly to consumers.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management offers built-in transport management functionalities, allowing you to manage transport planning and logistics processes within a single platform. For companies seeking advanced TMS features such as multi-carrier optimization and automated routing, a specialized external TMS solution can be integrated.

For medium-sized businesses, Business Central combined with Aptean provides a powerful solution. Aptean extends the standard capabilities of Business Central with additional transport management features like route optimization and real-time tracking. This creates a streamlined logistics operation tailored to the specific needs of the food industry.

Warehouse Management System (WMS): optimize your Warehouse Management

Efficient warehouse management is crucial in the food industry, where speed, freshness, and traceability are essential.

Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management includes an advanced Warehouse Management System (WMS) that helps companies optimize warehouse processes such as inventory management, order picking, and real-time tracking. This WMS offers comprehensive features like location management, automated replenishment, and integration with handheld scanners.

For Business Central users, Aptean provides a scalable WMS solution that optimizes warehouse processes and increases efficiency. Aptean extends the standard WMS capabilities of Business Central with additional features such as barcode scanning, temperature-sensitive inventory management, and advanced traceability options.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): automate Your partner communication

EDI eliminates manual entry of orders, invoices, and delivery data. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors. When EDI is integrated with your ERP, you get a seamless connection with suppliers and distributors, making your supply chain more efficient.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management supports standard EDI integration, enabling companies to automate their communication with suppliers, distributors, and customers. This helps reduce manual input, lower errors, and improve the speed and efficiency of the supply chain. For complex EDI needs, a specialized EDI solution can be integrated depending on the specific requirements of the company.

Business Intelligence (BI): convert data to actions

Business Intelligence (BI) helps you make better decisions by bringing together and analyzing data from various systems. With BI, you can forecast demand, optimize inventory levels, and reduce waste. Tools like Aptean BI and Cegeka Business Insight allow you to simulate scenarios and determine the best strategy for growth and efficiency. AI-driven analyses and real-time dashboards enable you to predict trends, better manage inventory, and continuously optimize production processes.

With Microsoft Power BI, integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management or Business Central combined with Aptean, you can consolidate and analyze data from different business processes. Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management includes built-in BI functionality by default, while Business Central with Aptean BI offers specific reports and insights tailored to the food industry.

Additionally, Cegeka Business Insight provides a powerful extension to Power BI for both Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management and Business Central. This solution combines standard dashboards and KPIs with in-depth analyses and industry-specific insights, enabling you to make faster and better-informed decisions.

Which ERP fits your food business?

Whether you are a large-scale food producer facing complex supply chain challenges or a medium-sized company seeking flexibility and growth opportunities, there is an ERP solution that fits your needs.

The choice between Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management and Business Central with Aptean depends on the size, complexity, and requirements of your business. Both solutions are powerful and specifically tailored for the food industry.

Want to find out which solution best matches your business needs? Try out our ERP-simulator or contact us for personal advice.

This blog is based on the article 'Your Guide To Understanding the Full Scope of Food Industry Software' from Aptean.