Dynamic Systems Inc, a Redmond WA software developer, has installed the SIMBA produce traceability system at McLain Farms in Georgia.
The SIMBA (Specialized Inventory Management with Bar-code Accuracy) system solves the problem of how to produce and track complete product and pallet labeling for fresh food on the packing floor. This system is designed to provide PTI-compliant labels and report packing information from the production line while it traces the product from “field to customer.” There are three modules including SIMBA Mobile, SIMBA Lite, and SIMBA Enterprise. The user has the option with starting with a simple labeling system, and as a business grows and needs change, moving up to the next system.
SIMBA Enterprise is designed for food growers/packers that need fast and accurate information. It tracks, labels, and ships an unlimited number of products and records their specific characteristics (type, size, grade, weight). The system automatically generates bills of lading and verifies shipments, which eliminate charge-backs. SIMBA allows the user to track and organize products by pallet, lot, and case level including repeated commingling and re-boxing. Inventory can be tracked by location, tracking moves from warehouse to warehouse, re-packing and commingling products at any point in the process without losing lot traceability.
McLain is one of the largest producers of sweet onions in the United States. After installing and using several other systems that claimed to provide complete traceability and product labeling, Rusty McLain came to Dynamic Systems with a wish list.
The system was configured for McLain to use three label printers from one touch-screen on the packing floor. From that screen, users can print the bin label, case label, or pallet label. A touch of the screen determines contents of the label and how many to print. SIMBA quickly collects production information—lot numbers, product attributes, weight, and quantity of cartons packed—and provides inventory and traceability reports.
Label information is then stored in the SIMBA Inventory database, which provides data for inventory management, traceability, and shipping. Cartons may be accumulated onto a pallet and tracked with a single pallet identifier.
Another feature allows McLain to have the three label printers and one touch screen on a mobile cart. The equipment is housed on a rolling cart on the packing floor that can be moved to whichever production line is active.
At the time of shipping, the Van Loading feature of SIMBA tracks each carton or pallet onto a specific van. A bill of lading is then produced automatically. This feature not only saves time in the shipping process, but it also eliminates disputes regarding what was actually shipped.
Key results for McLain from implementing SIMBA include increased production speed; the ability to get real-time, accurate production reports; fulfillment of traceability requirements; accurate real-time inventory; printing professional-looking carton and pallet labels; and expedited van loading.
Contact Rob Freeman at [email protected] or phone 800-342-3999 ext 208 for further information.
