As a food business owner or an operations manager, we know you are always on the lookout for making business management easy and efficient. Today, businesses have three basic categories of tools available for the purpose, mainly, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and Inventory Management platforms such as NotaZone.
An ERP system is designed to provide a holistic view of the organisation’s operations and resources. It can include modules such as finance, human resources, customer relationship management (CRM), manufacturing, inventory management and more.
Meanwhile, an MRP system is specifically designed to manage the materials and inventory needed for manufacturing. They can help food manufacturers to ensure that the right ingredients are available at the right time; and can also generate purchase orders. An MRP system will allow food producers and manufacturers to gain control over their raw materials and reduce the risk of production delays.
Inventory Management platforms such as NotaZone are specifically designed to manage and track inventory levels; including raw materials, finished goods, and packaging materials. NotaZone includes features for tracking and alerting food producers regarding expiration dates, lot numbers among other important business information. It allows real-time visibility into stock levels and best before/use by dates thus reducing risks of waste while increasing the efficiency of inventory management.
Each platform provides food producers with a unique opportunity to manage their business efficiently. For small to medium-style businesses with relatively straightforward operations, inventory management covers all their day-to-day operational needs. Integrating into a variety of third-party apps such as Shopify, Xero, DHL and others makes it a powerful tool for the business.
Hence, while ERP systems provide a comprehensive view of all aspects of the business, MRP systems focus on managing materials and inventory. Stock control platforms such as NotaZone focus on managing inventory levels and tracking important information. Depending on the size and complexity of your operations, you may need one or all of these systems to effectively manage your food production business.
If you would like to demo NotaZone or chat about your specific requirements, then get in touch today to get started!