Food Decision Software - News |

FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT AND RECALLS A CONCERN

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:43:00 -0400

Food Distributors and Manufacturers Require Food Recall Plans

Although the Bioterrorism Act that was signed in June of 2002 regulated Food Distributors and Manufacturers across North America to create and maintain records to identify the immediate previous sources and the immediate subsequent recipients of the food they distribute and manufacturer, many of them did not appear concerned of any consequences they might encounter if they did not have a plan to manage a Food Recall.

The new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that was signed by President Obama in January has caused a huge stir in the industry in that the FDA now has more power to enforce the requirements they have mandated. Along with that, consider the recall of sprouts, meat and most recently cantaloupe acrossNorth Americaand the industry is on edge just waiting for the next Food Recall.

When Food Decision Software first developed and released the Food Recall Plan Templates for use by the Food Industry over two years ago, we knew that more than 50% of all Distributors and Manufacturers worldwide requiring the ability to manage a recall did not have any plan in place.

Although the number is still very small compared to the total number of companies required to have a Food Recall Plan in place (approximately 420,000), Food Decision Software is extremely happy to announce that the Food Recall Plan Templates that were originally developed through the help of information provided by the FDA, FSIS, CFIA and other regulatory agencies in North America have been downloaded and viewed over 10,000 times. “We are very excited to be able to provide so many Food Distributors and Manufacturers with Recall Plans” said Victor Attard, President of Food Decision Software. “We never thought that we would have such an impact on so many food companies who are trying to comply with their regulatory agency.”

Since the release of the Food Recall Plan Templates, food companies both large and small from all parts of the globe have downloaded the templates. Some companies indicate that they already have a plan and just want to make sure they have covered all aspects of their Recall Plan. Most food companies who have downloaded the templates say they did not have a plan in place and are just trying to comply with the requirements. In either case, those that have been contacted by Food Decision Software indicate that the templates have helped them tremendously. “The FREE templates will remain available for download by any company in the Food Industry as long as needed” said Mr. Attard.

For many years our Food Industry ERP Software “WinFDS” has provided product traceability and reports in the event of a food recall. As our Clients required a Food Recall Plan, one was developed and incorporated into WinFDS. As a result of the response we received from them, we now offer them for free to all Food Distributors and Manufacturers. To download the Food Recall Plan Templates go to the Food Decision Software website at: www.fooddecisionsoftware.com. A link is available from the homepage to access the download.

Food Decision Software Has a New Blog

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:58:00 -0400

New Blog Offers Insight into Food Industry Software

For many years Food Decision Software Inc. has provided their Clients with a 'Weekly Tip' on how to use their Food Industry software “WinFDS” more efficiently. “Mastering the use of any software, especially comprehensive ERP software such as WinFDS is always challenging for a User.” said Victor Attard, President of Food Decision Software. “No matter how detailed the training is during our implementation process, tips to help our Users become more efficient are always welcome and we are happy to provide them.”

Providing the 'Weekly Tip' has always been for Client’s only, until recently. As part of our ongoing attempt to educate the Food Industry on functionality that can help improve a Food Distributor or Food Manufacturers operations and overall results, we have implemented a 'Food For Thought' Blog. This Blog will be strictly used to discuss specific information and functionality provided in WinFDS.

Specific detailed functionality of software is normally not provided to Perspective Clients until they have acquired the software and are being trained on its functionality. By that time it might be too late to realize that the acquired software does not have the specific functionality required or the operation would not work in their organization. “We are trying to make it easier for a “Perspective Client” to see how specific processes are being performed in WinFDS so they can make an educated decision before they acquire software.” said Attard. Although demonstrations are normally performed, it is difficult to provide the level of detail some Perspective Clients require to make that final decision. Mr. Attard said “We provide the means for them to understand how a function is performed so there is no guesswork involved”.

As someone that might be considering a change in their current solution or just trying to get a better understanding of Food Industry Specific Software functionality, the information provided in the 'Food For Thought' Blog will help you better understand the functionality offered in our WinFDS software.

We invite you to take a look at our 'Food For Thought' Blog and decide for yourself if the information provided is beneficial. If you like what you see, you can subscribe at: RSS Feed.

If you would like to learn more about the functionality of our WinFDS Software, complete the Contact Us Form, email us at: info@fooddecisionsoftware.com or call us at: 905-889-6939.

Food Recall Planning Growing

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:13:00 -0400

Food Distributors and Manufacturers Taking Their Responsibility More Seriously

Since the Bioterrorism Act was signed in June of 2002, Food Distributors and Manufacturers across North America have been required to create and maintain records that are needed to identify the immediate previous sources and the immediate subsequent recipients of the food they distribute and manufacturer. Over the past year it has become evident that this responsibility is being taken more seriously than ever.

When Food Decision Software first looked into the issue of Food Recall Planning just about a year ago, we found that the FDA estimates the number of facilities required to comply with the Bioterrorism Act to be approximately 420,000 worldwide. At that time, over 50% of the Food Distributors and Manufacturers surveyed did not have a formal Food Recall Plan in place. As a result of our findings, Food Decision Software Inc. compiled the applicable information from both the US and Canadian regulatory agencies and recreated Food Recall Templates that we made available to both food distributors and manufacturers. These FREE templates are still available to download by going to: www.fooddecisionsoftware.com/recall_plan.

Since the release of the templates, thousands of distributors and manufacturers, big and small, across the world have reviewed and downloaded the templates. Most who have downloaded the templates indicate that they did not have a recall plan in place but they felt that with all the recalls happening, implementing a Recall Plan was a good idea.

As a result of the success the Food Recall Plan Templates, Food Decision Software has included Food Recall Plan Worksheets in its new release of WinFDS Version 7. “We know that Food Recall Planning and traceability is part of the everyday operational activities of a food distributor or manufacturer and therefore believe that including worksheets in our newest release of WinFDS will help our clients be better prepared”, said Victor Attard, President of Food Decision Software.

“Along with the hundreds of new features and enhancements made to WinFDS V7 we made it a priority to ensure that product traceability throughout the manufacturing and distribution process is now as efficient and accurate as possible”, said Attard.

Some of the other new features made to WinFDS V7 include Remote Access, Pre-authorized Debits ‘Direct Deposits” for Suppliers, Hazardous Materials designation and reporting, Alerts/Reminders and assigning received or manufactured goods to a designated Quality Control location until inspected and released. Hundreds of enhancements throughout WinFDS V7 make the user more efficient and the software more user-friendly.

About Food Decision Software Inc.

For more than 31 years, Food Decision Software Inc. (FDS) has served the food industry under the banner Mulvany Attard Associates. Today FDS has customers across North America that use our WinFDS software to manage their business and gain competitive advantage.

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To download a copy of the templates provided, go to: www.fooddecisionsoftware.com/recall_plan. If you are interested in learning more about WinFDS Version 7, contact us at: info@fooddecisionsoftware.com or call us at: 905-889-6939.

Food Decision Software Releases Version 7 of WinFDS

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Food Decision Software Inc. has once again listened to food distributors, manufacturers and processors across North America to provide a Food Industry Specific ERP Software Solution that exceeds the needs of the industry.

“Over the past 24 months, FDS has been working on new functionality and hundred's of enhancements that we are excited to release in WinFDS Version 7” said Victor Attard – President of Food Decision Software. “As the front line users of Food Industry ERP Software, we have listened to the suggestions and requests for specific functionality from our client’s. We also continue to look at current and future trends in the food industry to see what features, enhancements and best practices, we can add that will improve the efficiency of daily operations, and help improve the results of distributors and manufacturers the food industry. That’s what makes WinFDS Version 7 the most full featured industry specific software on the market today” said Attard.

Significant additions to WinFDS Version 7 help to narrow the gap between small and large food companies. “The ability for small and mid-sized companies to acquire a barcode scanning system at a reasonable price will increase their efficiency and decrease their errors”, said Attard. “At a cost that is minimal compared to other Barcode Scanning Systems in the industry today, our scanning module is totally integrated to WinFDS”, Attard went on to say. With the implementation of our Remote Access module, operators can access WinFDS from anywhere they have an internet connection. “Imagine giving your Sales Reps the ability to place orders directly into WinFDS while on the road but only for their own Customers” said Attard. The inclusion of Food Recall Plan Worksheets provides each Distributor and Manufacturer the ability to manage any food recall they may encounter thus complying to 100% of the requirements set out by regulatory agencies across North America.

Among some of the new exciting enhancements to WinFDS Version 7 are Pre-authorized Debits ‘Direct Deposits” for Suppliers, Hazardous Materials designation and reporting, Alerts/Reminders and assigning received or manufactured goods to a designated Quality Control location until inspected and released. Hundreds of enhancements throughout WinFDS V7 make the operator more efficient and the software more user-friendly.

About Food Decision Software Inc. -- Founded in 1978, Food Decision Software Inc. (formerly Mulvany Attard Associates) has emerged as one of the most respected names in food industry specific software, providing its product, WinFDS, exclusively to companies involved in the distribution, processing and/or manufacturing of food products. Much of the company’s success can be traced to its customer-centric consultative business approach and its emphasis on gaining a thorough understanding of their client’s business concerns, challenges and needs. WinFDS installations are in use throughout the U.S, and Canada.

Our flagship solution, WinFDS supports all major business processes for Food Distributors and Manufacturers while providing extensive reporting and analysis tools.

For additional information about WinFDS Version 7, WinFDS SaaS, or WinFDS SB please contact us at: info@fooddecisionsoftware.com or call us at: 905-889-6939.