The product management module allows the collaborative development of specifications within the supply chain. A detailed product specification can be built by the supplier and developed collaboratively before becoming fully approved.

Validation processes - with warning and terminal errors - can be applied to aspects of the specification and at each stage of development, including: mandatory fields, ingredient names, nutrition data and dietary claims. Creations’ surveillance manages continuing product testing, such as for post launch, either internally or by an external laboratory and test results can be imported from external laboratories. The testing frequency can be defined and agreed to meet due-diligence requirements. Product testing can be scheduled utilising the internal Creations’ workflow management toolset.

Functionality

• Multiple specification formats, including : Food / Alcoholic beverage / Constructed Non-Foods / Formulated Non-Foods / General Merchandise
• Defined specification status : Supplier draft , Collaborative draft, Pack copy, Supplier authorised , Active, Delisted, Superseded, Off Range
• Options for Single / Multi-Site production e.g. Plant Bakery Goods
• Recipe Management Systems load data via an XML import
• Storage of post launch test / surveillance results (by an internal or external Laboratory)
• Multi-size products e.g. Lemonade in 500ml, 1l and 2l bottles
• Variety Packs e.g. Multi-pack potato snacks
• Content Management, Spec History / Version number / Amendments log
• Supplier details
• Recipe / Quid / Ingredient list format - Glossary lists of item names
• Ingredients - Supplier Site, Country of Origin / Manufacture (from picklists)
• HARA - Hazard & risk analysis
• Nutrition Data - RDA / GDA; per serving / 100g; Vitamins & Minerals
• Allergens / Intolerances - presence / source / declarable
• Packaging - Primary / Secondary / Tertiary (from Glossary lists)
• Finished product standards - Quality / Micro / Chem / Physical
• Process Steps / Controls / HACCP
• Product Storage - Display / Shelf Life
• Pack Copy - Front / Back of pack; Icons / Flashes / Warnings
• Attachments, Documents including pictures, text, spreadsheets etc

Benefits

Manual validation at any time and on every change of the recipe including:

• Mandatory fields
• Ingredient names
• Nutrition Data
• Dietary claims

Plus:

• On-line validation on every change of the Specification status
• Warning / Terminal errors
• Provision for handling exceptions to rules e.g. beefsteak tomatoes, lambs lettuce
• Validation log : Audit log - revised by Date / Time, Status
• Gold standard specification templates to assist new suppliers
• Produce