Need for an efficient, user-friendly and centralized system
In mid-2020, Simons Vleeswaren approached us to provide a demo on the Inspections module. There was a need for a simpler and more efficient way of performing, completing and analyzing inspections. Robin says: "In the past we used an Excel document in which all remarks, points of improvement, deviations, photos and so on had to be entered manually. This took a lot of time and was very error-prone given the choices of all the mandatory input fields and the photos that had to be uploaded, saved, compressed, inserted and dragged. In addition, the management of the document lay with the Quality Department, so feedback from action holders was again entered manually and this was duplication of effort. There was a need for an efficient, user-friendly and centralized system."
"Moreover, for our organization the move to digital means not only an improvement in terms of efficiency, but also a collection of data that is valuable for improvement projects and objectives."
— Simons, Vleeswaren
A breath of fresh air to work with this package
Since mid-2020, the company has been working with the inspection module at two locations. Here, employees schedule inspections through the online business application in Normec Foodcare Online and walk the inspection tour with the inspection app on the iPad. "It is a relief for the inspector to work with this package. After all, you can decide for yourself how to set up, schedule, perform and handle the inspection. You can enter the reasoning for a deviation on the tablet on the spot. If this is not desired due to personal preference, this can also be done quietly after the inspection at your own workplace or from home on your laptop," adds Robin.
Time savings of 40%
After the inspection, the report including photos is ready immediately and statistics are updated. Robin: "There is a time saving of 40% compared to the administrative handling we had to deal with before. For the action holders more time has been added, but even more important is the extra awareness and involvement on the work floor that we have realized. Moreover, for our organization, the move to digital not only means an improvement in terms of efficiency, but also a collection of data that is valuable for improvement projects and objectives."
Improving food safety culture
A change is noticeable throughout the organization after the introduction of digital inspections. "The food safety culture and quality culture has improved after the introduction of digital inspections. We as a quality department are now increasingly conducting the inspections jointly with the department manager. During the inspections, topics such as personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, process hygiene, food defense, technical condition and pest prevention come up. It is immediately a 'training on the job' and content can be discussed on the spot about the improvements/ deviations," Robin said.
"The food safety and quality culture has improved after the introduction of digital inspections."
Particularly user-friendly
"The QA software was created by QA professionals and is particularly user-friendly. Even for one-off recordings, such as floor repairs, reports can be created in house style. The automatic reminder emails and notifications also make it very easy to use for the action holder. One click on the link and you are immediately where you need to be," Robin says of the user-friendliness of the inspection module. "Moreover, the support department is quickly accessible by phone and the support consultant can look right along with you remotely. There is a lot of QA knowledge at Normec Foodcare Online, so you are quickly on the same page."
"The automatic reminder emails and notifications also make use very easy for the action taker."
Take plenty of time
For other and future users of the Inspections module, Robin likes to give another tip: "Take enough time to set up the module and check per adjustment how it shows up in practice. When in doubt, ask Normec Foodcare Online for advice as much as possible to achieve the best result. Come up with a clear plan, make clear instructions and present the new way of working. That way you avoid a false start."
About Simons Processed Meats
Simons Vleeswaren has existed since 1976. At its modern production site in Roermond, a wide variety of halal meats are produced, both under its own brand and private label. Examples of products include halal sandwich sausage, knakworst, garlic sausage and sliced meats. The company values quality, service, flexibility, continuity and personal contact and is certified for the food safety standards BRCGS and IFS.
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