Data Collection Software facilitates food safety compliance.
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Press Release Summary:
Automating collection of food safety plant data from meters, PLC-based control systems, and plant-floor PCs, SQF-Sentinel enables plant management to create customized data dashboard to keep tabs on levels of various data points. Electronic notifications are automatically generated and sent to plant management in event monitored data points are outside of tolerance. With pre-formatted reports, historical data can be presented to auditors in meaningful format.
Original Press Release:
New Software Reduces the Cost and Complexity of SQF/BRC Food Safety Compliance for Food Processors
Automated Data Collection and Reporting Eliminates Paper Records, Reduces Required Resources, and Ensures Reliability of Food Safety Programs
(Patchogue, NY) - Focus Works has introduced SQF-Sentinel, a PC-based software package that automates the collection of food safety plant data from the plant floor. Data is electronically collected from points in the plant through a variety of means. The system can be directly interfaced to previously-installed, stand-alone devices such as temperature and humidity meters that were previously monitored by a plant employee.
The product can also be directly attached to PLC-based control systems - such as the ones that might control freezer or proofing room temperatures, for instance. Plant-floor personal computers can also be interfaced - those that might already be controlling plant floor processes, or new systems that might be installed to facilitate the collection of food safety data on the plant floor (either through manual keyboard entry or through a direct connection to plant- floor equipment).
Wireless, hand-held devices can also be connected to the SQF-Sentinel system. These devices may be used by plant floor personnel to enter data observed (using electronic forms that are created specifically for the purpose) at various locations on the plant floor that cannot be interfaced directly to the SQF Sentinel server - perhaps the status of rodent traps, or the sanitary condition of trucks delivering raw materials to the plant.
After the food safety data has been collected, it is stored in the centralized database that is a part of the SQF-Sentinel product. A "data dashboard" can be created and customized that allows plant management to keep tabs on the levels of various data points collected by the product. Electronic notifications to plant management (e-mails, text messages, etc.) are automatically generated and sent to plant management in the event that monitored data points are outside of tolerance. All data is archived in the product's historical data files.
When it is time to prepare for a food safety compliance audit or a visit by a credentialed food safety expert aimed at gaining a food safety certification (SQF, BRC, etc.), SQF-Sentinel radically reduces the effort required on the part of the plant Quality Assurance staff. Pre-formatted reports allow historical data to be presented in a meaningful format to auditors. Customized reports can be created by plant personnel to present data that is unique to the plant or its products. DData can also be easily exported to third-party software packages for further analysis by the QA staff. .
For more information call 631-758-3629, email sales@focus-works.com or visit www.focus-works.com.
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