An enhancement to Packing that allows the same finished good code to be used for different size pieces and different number of pieces per box. For example, Pork Chops can be cut to 6 oz or 10 oz. So, this module allows for the labeling of a box of 20 pieces of 6 oz pork chops, or a box of 16 pieces of 10 oz pork chops, etc.

The weight tolerance applied for the weight checking feature is based on the piece size. For example, pieces weight less than 8 oz might have a tolerance of 0.375 oz, whereas pieces weighing 8oz to 12oz might have a tolerance of 0.25 oz, etc.

This module supports labeling pallets of finished goods. During any scanning operation (e.g., Shipping), scanning a single pallet label automatically processes all boxes on the pallet as if they were scanned individually.

The pallet label can be created by scanning the boxes on a pallet, or it can be created automatically during Packing when a product’s pallet count is reached. Features include removing boxes from a pallet, adding boxes to a pallet, breaking a pallet and making new pallets.

This module is an enhancement to Shipping that allows you to ship bought-in boxes by scanning the supplier’s barcode. Sometimes this is known as “box-in/box-out”.

VistaTrac provides an easy-to-use method for identifying the barcodes on supplier boxes, regardless of the layout of their barcode. VistaTrac can scan meat-industry-standard barcodes, as well as non-standard barcodes used by many manufacturers.

This means that you don’t have to re-pack or re-label bought-in items you distribute to your customers, and you get all the shipping features available when filling orders by scanning through VistaTrac.

This module is similar to raw materials, but doesn’t provide tracking. Typical uses include recording receipt and usage of boxes, bags, etc. With this module, you get an very accurate picture of your supplies inventory, and that inventory is kept up-to-date automatically.

Each finished goods definition can have supplies consumption defined. For example, product 12345 can consume one B3 box bottom and one T18 box top.
When a box of product 12345 is labeled during Packing, VistaTrac automatically decrements the on-hand count of B3 box bottoms by 1; and T18 box tops by 1.

VistaTrac provides easy to use methods for recording the receipt of these supplies, as well as adjusting them if necessary (e.g., as a result of damage, etc.).

This module allows for the scanning and recording of the boxes and pallets of raw materials that come into your plant.

The most important feature of this module is that the manufacturer’s lot number is captured by VistaTrac. This is critical for traceability because the supplier identifies their lot number when they issue a recall.
That is, when a supplier issues a recall, you need to know whether or not you received the tainted lot number they identify in their recall, and when you received it.

Additionally, if you discover that some of your products are tainted, you’re able to tell your suppliers which of their lot numbers are suspected.

VistaTrac can scan both meat-industry-standard and non-standard barcodes, and non-meat barcodes such as are found on packaging materials, spices and ingredients, etc.

Features include the ability to receive non-barcoded raw materials; print in-house barcodes for received raw materials; receive entire pallets of a raw material with a single scan (provided all packages on the pallet are from the same supplier lot number); compare scans against downloaded purchase orders (see Integration) and print receiving weight manifests for comparison against supplier invoices.

The WIP module tracks the usage of raw materials in your plant, as well as providing Yield calculations based on weighing by-products.

VistaTrac’s Work-in-Process (WIP) module functions in conjunction with the Receiving Module by adding a perpetual inventory of raw materials, including aging detail by manufacturer lot number.

When raw materials are used in the production process, they are scanned, which removes them from the perpetual inventory, and records the usage of the manufacturer lot number.

Then, scans at various locations are used to record movement of the work-in-process batch, even if that batch takes multiple production days to finally reach a packing area. Additionally, the weights of by-products that leave the production process are captured and used for Yield calculations.

VistaTrac provides for the easy definition of processing areas (e.g., Tumbler, Grinder #3, Cutting Table 7, Cook Room, etc.) and moveable process assets (e.g., tubs, combos, bins, totes, etc.). Each moveable process asset is given a permanently affixed barcode that can withstand repeated cleanings. As WIP moves from one area to another, these processes assets are scanned, which tracks movement.

VistaTrac also supports RFID for WIP movement tracking, should production volume and efficiency requirements demand it.

The net result of this is that when a supplier informs you that a lot of theirs is tainted, you know if you received it, when you used it, how much you have left, which of your products you used it in, and which of your customers received your products containing the tainted raw material.