If you’re looking to implement an automated FSMS, you’re probably looking for a solution that comes pre-configured to address the requirements of HACCP, ISO 22000 and the GFSI-benchmarked schemes.

But beyond standards and compliance, what other key characteristics should you look for? We’ve compiled 6 tips to help guide the selection process.

When I chose my current profession, I never realized all the doors of knowledge and experience I would open.  The food and beverage industry is a vast and complex system.  We often joke about things like the 5-second rule or being able to kill germs by throwing something in the deep-fryer, but in all seriousness we have been charged with the health and safety of the global community.  That community includes your family, friends, acquaintances and strangers.  When you think about it, the task of food safety seems a bit daunting.

From HR to IT, it’s rare to find a department that doesn’t use some type of enterprise software. Despite the fact that it’s so common, the process of finding and selecting the right system can be a challenge.

To start, everyone has to be on board that there’s a need. Then you have to invest time in research, comparing features, capabilities and long-term value while evaluating how various options integrate with your existing systems. And at some point, you’re going to have to make the case to your boss.

How can you make sure that conversation goes well? The key is to focus on bottom-line business benefits.

2015 is underway and the Food and Beverage industry is making headlines already. From the peanut butter contamination with an unprecedented outcome to the new FSMA program, here is our round-up of the top stories in Food and Beverage for January:

ISO 22000 defines the overall guidelines for helping food and beverage manufacturers implement a Food Safety Management System (FSMS). But with so much confusing terminology within the standard, many organizations were unsure whether they were implementing the FSMS correctly.

Now, the international standards body is providing additional guidance to help food safety professionals better understand how to implement ISO 22000 in their organizations. While the new standard doesn’t create any new requirements, it does aim to clear up some potentially confusing terms.

When looking for an enterprise software solution, it is important to take into consideration its potential for long-term value. What exactly does this mean?  In a nutshell, long-term value is the amount of savings you can expect after using the software for a long period of time. Are you paying less in the long run or do you end up paying more? Keep in mind that lower upfront costs don’t always equate to lower long-term costs. It’s important to consider this when evaluating software vendors in order to choose the vendor that will provide more for your money…even years down the line.

Compliance is a broad term in business today.  It's a term that gets thrown around in meetings, operations, regulations, and covers so many definitions.  It almost borders on cliche - compliance is broad.  But what does it mean?  In simplest terms, "Compliance" means that you are able to do business with confidence.  You can operate your business in a manner that means less risk, better quality, safety and governance.  It means that you are doing business as you should - as people will expect you to.  Compliance management software is designed to help foster this concept, but again, it becomes broad in definition on what can be offered.  What do people need in compliance management software solutions?  Here are 4 basics:

EtQ Reliance version 11 has been released and with it comes a whole host of new features and enhancements for quality, EHS and compliance initiatives.

Sometimes the simplest path is the best path.  If you look at the most successful businesses today, they have built their philosophy around very simple ideals.  Apple is a great case of simplicity - simple design, simple message, and so forth (but let's not just talk about Apple).  Simplicity in business means asking "Why".  Simon Sinek, who is a prolific author and speaker boils it down to this concept.  Ask yourself why you do business and build out from there - all the complexities of any initiative will fall in line.  This can ring true for an organization looking to achieve compliance through risk management - understand the "why" and it won't seem so lofty a goal.