Automating food and beverage inventory management is critical for manufacturers to optimise material handling. EU Automation Asia-Pacific sales manager John Young explains.
When we are cooking at home and realise a critical ingredient is missing, we can work on a creative fix, but when that happens on an industrial scale such adaptations cannot be made. So instead of a new version of a family favourite at home, in a manfucturing facility you end up with unnecessary waste, increased costs and disgruntled clients.
A material world
Material handling combines moving, storing and controlling goods to ensure that the correct amount is in the right place at the right time. Failure to manage materials effectively can mean businesses over-order, leaving items to languish in warehouses and tie up the chances of profit in working capital.
Poor inventory management also makes it difficult for workers to access items when they need them, adversely impacting productivity. In fact, a study by international research firm Gartner says that 70 per cent of businesses do not have effective inventory management systems in place.
Using paper processes or spreadsheets woven with complex formulas to manage inventory invites mistakes and does not allow for real-time monitoring, which leads to inaccuracies.
Integrated inventory management software allows businesses to automate the entire process, from monitoring stock levels, to generating work orders and billing for materials. The software eliminates the need to manually enter inventory information, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
