How to choose the right ERP software for food distributors and manufacturers

The food industry is a rapidly evolving area. It’s becoming increasingly competitive and food manufacturers and distributors alike face a myriad of challenges. From balancing rising costs, complex supply chain management, strict quality control requirements and regulatory compliance, as well as the need for real-time decision-making, staying ahead of the competition has become more demanding than ever.

But with the right software, you can navigate these challenges.

A reliable ERP system will get you halfway there. But an ERP solution specially designed for food and beverage manufacturers and distributors will take it that one step further. These systems have the functionality you need in the food industry and can be customised to meet your specific needs too. They allow you to put your focus on making better business decisions and overtaking your competitors, rather than trying to work around an ERP system that isn’t working for you.

But what exactly should you be looking out for when choosing your food ERP software? We’ve picked out five key areas to consider when choosing the right ERP software for your food or beverage manufacturing or distribution company.

1. Industry-Specific Functionality
Not all ERP systems are created equal. We’ve mentioned it above, and it might seem obvious but it’s essential to look for a solution that offers industry-specific features designed to meet the unique requirements of food distributors and manufacturers. Features such as farm to fork traceability, batch management, expiration date tracking, and recipe management (to name just a few) are essential for maintaining quality control, complying with regulations, and ensuring food safety. Take the time to see what functionality you’ll be getting and make sure whoever is implementing your system understands your industry and your needs. They’ll play a big part in getting everything set up, so being on the same page and ensuring their solution will allow you to effectively manage your operations is vital.

2. Scalability and Flexibility
Your business is dynamic, and so are your needs. Choose an ERP software that can scale as your business grows and adapts to changing market conditions. Plus make sure it’s backed by a vendor who will be around for many years to come and has the resources to invest in its continued development.
A flexible solution allows you to customise workflows, add or remove features, and integrate with other systems seamlessly. What works for you now might not work several years down the line, but you don’t want to have to implement new software every time your business grows or adapts. Your initial implementation should take into consideration the needs and processes your business has today, but shouldn’t be limited to that. You’ll want to ability to have adjustments made when needed, and you don’t want to stifle your growth just because your ERP solutions can’t grow with you.

3. Supply Chain Management
Efficient supply chain management is crucial for food distributors and manufacturers. Get it wrong and you’ll end up sending your excess stock to the discount houses, or you’ll miss out on orders from not having the stock you need when you need it. You want to make sure you have complete visibility over your supply chain. The ability to plan for demand, optimise inventory levels, streamline purchasing, manage supplier relationships and track deliveries are all areas you want to make sure you have covered. It’ll not only make operations a lot easier to handle but it’ll also empower you and your team to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

4. Quality Assurance and Compliance
Maintaining high-quality standards and meeting regulatory requirements is essential in the food industry. Your ERP software should support quality assurance processes, including quality control checks, compliance tracking, and document management. You’ll want to be able to access reports and lot tracking at the click of a button, or store compliance certificates from your suppliers directly in your solutions, giving you peace of mind that your ERP software is there to help you maintain consistent product quality and meet the industry regulations are vital to your business.

5. Business Intelligence and Analytics
Data is the currency of the modern business world. An ERP system that provides powerful business intelligence and analytics capabilities can give you valuable insights into your operations. Look for a solution that offers real-time reporting with just a few clicks, customisable dashboards, and data visualisation tools. With easy to use reporting tools you’ll be able to make informed decisions, identify trends, and optimise your processes.

The list doesn’t stop here! We’ve just scratched the surface on what to consider. Your food ERP software will be the heart of your business, so it needs to work for your needs.

Dynamics Food is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, taking an already excellent ERP software and moulding it to fit the needs of food and beverage manufacturers and distributors. Here at Tecman we’re experts in manufacturing and distribution, and we know the food industry. That’s why we’ve developed Dynamics Food to help businesses like you achieve excellence and stay competitive in the market.

If you’d like to find out more, we’ve got two events coming up to give you a demo of our ERP software for food distributors and manufacturers.

• If you’re a food distributor, join us on Tuesday 20th June at 10am via Microsoft Teams. We’ll give you a live demonstration of Dynamics Food and show you how it can elevate your food or beverage distribution business. Book your place here. (This event has now passed but if you would like a demonstration please get in touch!)
• Alternatively, if you handle food or beverage manufacturing, join us on Tuesday 27th June at 10am via Microsoft Teams and discover how Dynamics Food can help your manufacturing business, you can book your place here.

Our two events are both designed to show you how Dynamics Food can work for you, whilst they are both similar we’ve tailored the content to show you what’s relevant to your business. If you have any questions please do get in touch.