9 Features to Look for in Food Manufacturing Software?

Food manufacturing software often seems like an all-inclusive solution, but you’ll want to consider a few features before diving in.

1. Integration

While each industry has its own specific needs, every food manufacturing software should include the ability to integrate with other systems and platforms. Look for flexibility across departments, including HR, accounting, SCM, logistics planning, inventory control, customer relationship management (CRM), etc. This guarantees seamless processes between your company’s different divisions. You can also look for integration options within these modules so that data takes the shortest path from one application to another. For example, suppose your organization uses SAP as your CRM application and Oracle as its financial software package. In that case, it can be extremely helpful to search for a food manufacturing solution that offers integration with both.

2. Scalability

It’s easy to under-invest when you choose your initial software system, but don’t underestimate the growth of your business in the years ahead. This is precisely why it’s important to look for a food manufacturing software solution that can accommodate future expansion and growth, so scaling does not become a problem down the line. With some solutions, you can add additional users at little or no cost, allowing each department or even individual employees to access and use the program equally. Also, considering analytics solutions such as Hadoop open source and cloud computing and services will give you even more options if and when your business surpasses its initial projections.

3. Module Flexibility

Food manufacturing software packages often include CRM, HR, and financial management tools; however, not all systems are created equal. Look for an ERP package that allows you to integrate the most commonly used business applications into your system through third-party modules or built-in interfaces. This will save you both money and time by streamlining your workflow and reducing data entry and sharing redundancies. For example, if you’re a retailer with an online store, look for a solution that includes e-commerce options so purchasing orders can be integrated directly into the system with no need to reconcile accounts between two different platforms.

4. Customization

The last thing businesses want is a black box solution that doesn’t consider their specific needs or industry requirements. Look for a food manufacturing software solution that allows full customization across processes, modules, and reporting structures. This ensures your system can be tailored to fit the unique challenges of your business instead of forcing you to adapt to someone else’s idea of what works best. For example, consider how different it would be if every company in the construction industry had to use the same layout for its blueprints because there was one “industry standard” package. Not only is this frustrating, but it also doesn’t accommodate each organization’s specific workflow and priorities. Customization is one thing that sets great food manufacturing solutions apart from the rest and gives you complete control over all phases of your organization’s processes.  

5. Reporting

Data is useless without access and understanding it, so look for a food manufacturing solution that provides easy-to-understand reports with just a few clicks. There are many different types of reports available within food manufacturing packages, but two of the most commonly used are standard financial reports and drill-down/cross-functional analytics. These give you complete visibility into each aspect of your operations so you can pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your business performance instead of wondering if what you see on paper matches up with reality. For example, you might want to examine inventory turnover ratios over time or compare lead response rates across channels like direct mail versus email marketing. Again, customization is key here. A food manufacturing solution that offers extensive reporting tools considers your business’s needs before it even starts the development process.  

6. Scalability

It can be extremely helpful to search for a food manufacturing solution that offers integration with both Salesforce and Oracle. This way, you can add different modules as needed without overhauling or replacing your existing software package. However, while choosing an open-source package benefits, many food manufacturing vendors offer similarly customizable options. That said, it never hurts to look for a system that has a proven track record of successful integrations with other popular programs and services in the industry. You can add additional users at little or no cost with some solutions, allowing each department or even individual employees to access the system without disrupting other users. For example, if your company hires 100 new salespeople in a year, you might need to add an additional service tier or capacity for data storage. Look for a food manufacturing solution that provides these kinds of scalable options, so you’re prepared for future growth instead of scrambling to upgrade when it’s already too late.  

7. Full Suite Capability

Even though many businesses start out small and gradually grow over time, today’s entrepreneurs are frequently blazing new trails and growing at unprecedented rates. If this sounds like your business, look for a food manufacturing software package that offers full suite functionality, so you don’t have to keep track of multiple systems or deal with transitions when you expand. Look for core food manufacturing features that give you everything your business needs, like order management, production planning, quality control, and more. With some solutions, you can add additional modules later on, to accommodate different functions of your business as needs arise.

8. Funding Models

There are many ways to pay for software development, so it’s important to look at each one thoroughly before deciding. Depending on the food manufacturing solution you select—open-source or enterprise—costs may differ significantly in both initial investment and ongoing expenses. Many businesses new to the game choose an open-source solution because it offers free access with no upfront costs. However, these packages usually offer fewer customizations and integrations than enterprise options. In contrast, enterprise vendors often charge an initial license fee plus a yearly support and maintenance fee—which can add up quickly over time if your company experiences fast growth or is in need of extensive customization. When comparing funding models, try to get a clear picture of what you’ll have to pay at each stage of development, so there are no surprises down the line.  

9. Industry-Specific Sales Tools

In addition to core food manufacturing features that cover multiple business needs, it’s also helpful to look for industry-specific sales tools within any potential solution you consider. Many modules come with built-in functionality designed specifically for B2B transactions, such as quote generation programs and account tracking capabilities that make it easy to generate new leads and follow up with clients or suppliers.