The Benefits of Product Serialization and Traceability in FMCG

In the FMCG sector, the use of a serialization system, as well as a track and trace system, helps in maintaining transparency with the customer and optimizes the processes. The use of these systems helps in improving customer services. In addition to food safety practices and quality assurance testing, traceability, and serialization of FMCG products are of utmost importance for large-scale and small-scale businesses in the sector.

The benefits FMCG companies draw from the Product Serialization system

The use of product serialization systems can improve the operational efficiency of the FMCG companies for a better supply of safe and clean food products. Serialization systems can support the improvement of logistics and transport inside the FMCG sector.

Recognition of a low-quality product

The use of an end-to-end track and trace system helps in monitoring the quality of the FMCG product throughout the supply chain. The quality of short shelf life FMCG products can fluctuate easily and needs monitoring. Traceability and serialization step in to make a constant monitoring of product quality possible.

Serialization allows each partner in the supply chain to track product at every step, from point of manufacture to the moment it’s in the consumers hands. In addition, when the product is returned, the serial number can be used on all shipping documents to provide information on status and the reason for the return. The information can be of great value in determining whether the product has any quality problems.

Product serialization also helps in the identification of the fault or issue with recalled products so that the same issue is not repeated in future batches.
Therefore, the traceability of products helps the manufacturing companies too

Smooth flow of recalled products

Non serialized products can block the supply chain because companies, employees, and customers lose sight of the products and their status in the chain. Without the use of a proper track and trace system, the productivity of the supply chain goes down. When the FMCG products are serialized, the customers can get more information about the products they choose from the supermarket shelves. The use of product serialization codes also helps smooth the backflow of products to the seller because the products are easily tracked, and the logistics process can be optimized accordingly.

Demand management

The use of a track and trace system by an FMCG company can help increase the scope of demand management. The tracking of products with the help of the codes can help improve supply to the right demand points. The increased traceability of the products helps speed up the supply speed so that the demand in grassroots level stores is easily met within a certain timeframe.

Half of the business in the FMCG sector depends on supplying to the demand at the right time. Now, demand might not arise from a single audience segment all the time. Depending on the demand for the products over a period, the company must supply products to the stores selling them.

Traceability of products and the use of end-to-end track and trace systems help in demand management across different submarkets and stores. The use of product serialization codes can help the organization know which products have gone to which area. The implementation of these solutions helps in improving demand management and other processes linked with the supply chain.

Better impact on sales management and wholesale chains

When it comes to wholesale chains and sales dealerships, the use of serialization codes can help the company not only track the activity of the product down the logistics chain but also improves the prospect of the sales by letting the company analyze how the products are performing in the ground-level market.

The company can track the sales performance of different products and know why the performance of certain products is getting affected negatively. The use of trace systems provides crucial information to the marketing and sales team. The information can be used to control the sales funnel and the products that go out to the stores.

For example, the company can focus on either improving the quality of low-performing products or increasing the supply of high-performing products so that the revenue and profits increase further. The information collected from the product serialization codes can be used to analyze product performance and alter sales and marketing strategies for the company. The commercial strategy can be tweaked for specific results on the marketing and sales front.

The use of track and trace systems and serialization codes can have benefits for the business management sector, as well as the quality improvement sector in the FMCG industry. The companies can collect crucial data, analyze and create strategies for future industry benchmarks so that customers are satisfied and there is strong brand recall. The information collected can also be used to create a new production system and flow for better product quality in the long run.

The Benefits of Product Serialization and Traceability in FMCG

In the FMCG sector, the use of a serialization system, as well as a track and trace system, helps in maintaining transparency with the customer and optimizes the processes. The use of these systems helps in improving customer services. In addition to food safety practices and quality assurance testing, traceability, and serialization of FMCG products are of utmost importance for large-scale and small-scale businesses in the sector.

The benefits FMCG companies draw from the Product Serialization system

The use of product serialization systems can improve the operational efficiency of the FMCG companies for a better supply of safe and clean food products. Serialization systems can support the improvement of logistics and transport inside the FMCG sector.

Recognition of a low-quality product

The use of an end-to-end track and trace system helps in monitoring the quality of the FMCG product throughout the supply chain. The quality of short shelf life FMCG products can fluctuate easily and needs monitoring. Traceability and serialization step in to make a constant monitoring of product quality possible.

Serialization allows each partner in the supply chain to track product at every step, from point of manufacture to the moment it’s in the consumers hands. In addition, when the product is returned, the serial number can be used on all shipping documents to provide information on status and the reason for the return. The information can be of great value in determining whether the product has any quality problems.

Product serialization also helps in the identification of the fault or issue with recalled products so that the same issue is not repeated in future batches. Therefore, the traceability of products helps the manufacturing companies too.

Smooth flow of recalled products

Non serialized products can block the supply chain because companies, employees, and customers lose sight of the products and their status in the chain. Without the use of a proper track and trace system, the productivity of the supply chain goes down. When the FMCG products are serialized, the customers can get more information about the products they choose from the supermarket shelves. The use of product serialization codes also helps smooth the backflow of products to the seller because the products are easily tracked, and the logistics process can be optimized accordingly.

Demand management

The use of a track and trace system by an FMCG company can help increase the scope of demand management. The tracking of products with the help of the codes can help improve supply to the right demand points. The increased traceability of the products helps speed up the supply speed so that the demand in grassroots level stores is easily met within a certain timeframe.

Half of the business in the FMCG sector depends on supplying to the demand at the right time. Now, demand might not arise from a single audience segment all the time. Depending on the demand for the products over a period, the company must supply products to the stores selling them.

Traceability of products and the use of end-to-end track and trace systems help in demand management across different submarkets and stores. The use of product serialization codes can help the organization know which products have gone to which area. The implementation of these solutions helps in improving demand management and other processes linked with the supply chain.

Better impact on sales management and wholesale chains

When it comes to wholesale chains and sales dealerships, the use of serialization codes can help the company not only track the activity of the product down the logistics chain but also improves the prospect of the sales by letting the company analyze how the products are performing in the ground-level market.
The company can track the sales performance of different products and know why the performance of certain products is getting affected negatively. The use of trace systems provides crucial information to the marketing and sales team. The information can be used to control the sales funnel and the products that go out to the stores.
For example, the company can focus on either improving the quality of low-performing products or increasing the supply of high-performing products so that the revenue and profits increase further. The information collected from the product serialization codes can be used to analyze product performance and alter sales and marketing strategies for the company. The commercial strategy can be tweaked for specific results on the marketing and sales front.
The use of track and trace systems and serialization codes can have benefits for the business management sector, as well as the quality improvement sector in the FMCG industry. The companies can collect crucial data, analyze and create strategies for future industry benchmarks so that customers are satisfied and there is strong brand recall. The information collected can also be used to create a new production system and flow for better product quality in the long run.

 

Role of Product Traceability in Consumer Goods Industries

Traceability has emerged as one of the most integral highlights of the manufacturing process.

One of the conventional assumptions regarding a Track and Trace system revolved around the notion that it is applicable only for products subject to recalls. However, product traceability must be a mandatory aspect of the manufacturing process of every consumer goods provider.

Product traceability introduces many promising benefits such as cost reduction, resource efficiency, and improved productivity. With the help of efficient tracking and tracing solutions, enterprises can strengthen their control over the production process on a granular level. Are track and trace a necessity for consumer goods industries? How does traceability work for consumer goods? Let us find the answers in the following discussion.

Definition of Product Traceability

Before you dive into the working of track and trace solutions, it is important to know the basic definition of product traceability. Product traceability refers to the ability to track all aspects of a product’s manufacturing and distribution.

Organizations with a competent tracking and tracing system can access data regarding the production lifecycle, product destinations, and inspection notes.

Types of Product Traceability

The next crucial highlight you need before deploying a track and trace system is to be aware of the types of product traceability. You must note that traceability focuses on many other things related to the product beyond its location. Product traceability also accounts for many other factors such as batch numbers, product use by consumers, inspection notes, product destination.

The two most common types of product traceability include upstream tracing and downstream tracing. Both of them have their unique advantages, depending on the traceability use case. Here is a brief explanation of the two types of product traceability systems.

Upstream Traceability

Upstream traceability refers to the process of tracing goods opposite to the logistical chain. The upstream track and trace solutions are applicable in the case of recalls which go back from the customer to the retailer and then the supplier. One of the common examples of upstream tracing is clear in the food industry. The European Union has imposed regulations for traceability of food products to ensure better customer protection.

Downstream Traceability

Downstream tracing refers to the process of tracing along with the normal flow of the supply chain. Therefore, product traceability starts from the sourcing point to the manufacturing stages before going through retail, sales, and consumer use. Most consumer goods companies use downstream track and trace system in the backend of their operations.

Why is Product Traceability Important for Consumer Goods Companies?
The demand for comprehensive and powerful product traceability solutions has been growing at exponential rates in recent times. Enterprises are actively seeking IT solutions for standardized tracking and tracing of consumer goods. Why? Here are some of the notable benefits of product traceability for consumer goods companies.

No More Counterfeit Goods

Counterfeit products are one of the biggest challenges for the consumer goods industry right now. Counterfeit goods present high risks as brands can lose sales potential as well as the trust of customers. The fashion industry is one of the biggest examples of a consumer goods industry facing the brunt of counterfeit products.

Effective track and trace solutions can help in verifying the journey of products from the stage of sourcing to the hands of the end consumer. As a result, product traceability can prevent counterfeiting in various sectors such as cosmetics, electronics, luxury goods, and spirits.

Compliance with Regulations

The next significant aspect pointing toward the necessity of track and trace solutions reflects on regulatory precedents for consumer goods. The constantly changing regulations in consumer goods industry focus on providing better consumer protection.
For example, the food industry has been witnessing a slew of updated regulatory standards. Product traceability helps consumer goods companies ensure that their products comply with new regulatory standards at all stages.

Proof of Origin

Many consumers are interested in figuring out the location from where raw materials for making the product have been sourced. Consumers are worried about the ethical concerns in manufacturing different products.

For example, buyers want to know that farmers have not been exploited for the coffee they enjoy every morning. Product traceability can offer flexible access to historical data regarding the sourcing of raw materials, thereby enabling easy verification of the product’s origins.

Implementing Product Traceability in Consumer Goods Companies
You can implement an efficient track and trace system for consumer goods companies with a clear idea regarding the essential requirements for the same. Here are some of the most important traits you need for implementing product traceability in consumer goods companies.

Serialization of product lots
Marking and labeling identifiers
Lot tracking and validation
Container recognition, labeling, and validation
Process tracking and validation
Process feedback and enforce improvements

Are You Prepared for Adopting Product Traceability?
Product traceability is more than just a necessity for consumer goods companies to earn the trust of customers. Effective track and trace solutions tailored according to your enterprise business objectives and market requirements can deliver promising benefits. Whether you are tracing the product from manufacturing to consumers or back from consumers to the manufacturers, product traceability delivers many productive insights. Find the best IT solutions for making the most of product traceability benefits right now.

 

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