Barcode Traceability Software Helps Onion Packer Improve Productivity & Reduce Costs
McLain Farms is one of the largest producers of sweet onions in the country. After installing and using several other systems that claimed to provide complete traceability and product labeling, Rusty McLain came to Dynamic Systems with a wish list that included a need for speed.
Dynamic Systems met the requirements using the SIMBA (Specialized Inventory Management with Barcode Accuracy) system.
SIMBA Enterprise is designed for food growers/packers who need fast and accurate information. SIMBA tracks, labels and ships an unlimited number of products and records their specific characteristics (type, size, grade, weight, etc).
The system automatically generates bills of lading and verifies shipments which eliminate charge-backs. SIMBA allows the user to track and organize products by pallet, lot and case level including repeated commingling and re-boxing. Inventory can be tracked by location, tracking moves from warehouse to warehouse, re-packing and commingling products at any point in the process without losing lot traceability.
Increase production speed and traceability
The SIMBA system solved the problem of how to produce and track complete product and pallet labeling for fresh food on the packing floor. The system is designed to provide PTI compliant labels and report packing information from the production line while it traces the product from “field to customer”. There are 3 modules including SIMBA Mobile, SIMBA Lite, and SIMBA Enterprise. You have the option with starting with a simple labeling system and as your business grows and your needs change you have the capability of moving up to the next system.
About SIMBA and McLain
The system was configured for McLain to use 3 label printers from one touch-screen on the packing floor. From that screen they are able to print the bin label, the case label or the pallet label. A simple touch of the screen determines the contents of the label and how many to print. SIMBA quickly collects production information—lot numbers, product attributes, weight and quantity of cartons packed—and provides inventory and traceability reports. 
The label information is then stored in the SIMBA Inventory database which provides data for inventory management, traceability and shipping. The cartons may be accumulated onto a pallet and tracked with a single pallet identifier.
Another feature allows McLain to have the 3 label printers and touch screen on a mobile cart. The equipment is housed on a rolling cart on the packing floor that can be moved to whichever production line is active.
Van Loading At the time of shipping, the Van Loading feature of SIMBA tracks each carton or pallet onto a specific van. A Bill of Lading is then produced automatically. This feature not only saves time in the shipping process, it eliminates disputes with the customer regarding what was actually shipped.
Results Key results for McLain from implementing SIMBA include increased production speed; the ability to get real-time, accurate production reports; fulfill traceability requirements; provide accurate real time inventory; print professional looking carton and pallet labels; and expedited van loading.
“I’ve used different systems in the past, and managing inventory and traceability has never been as easy as with SIMBA”, stated Rusty McLain. Dynamic Systems was able to provide a turnkey all inclusive system, including all equipment, labels, training, and installation that is scalable and customizable.
About Dynamic Systems
Dynamic Systems develops asset tracking software using barcode and RFID technology, provides a robust portfolio of professional business services, and helps companies increase profitability by efficiently managing their assets.
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