PACKAGING
used on the packaging through to the final
print phase, and stores all the images and
specifications used for the product in an
online library. This means that all materials
are easily accessible, and the portal features
a web-proofing functionality that automatically detects mistakes, making for rapid
corrections.
Private Workspace in the Public
Cloud
The portal let our teams work on the
packaging and make changes simultaneously, helping us move through the process
quickly. The portal creates a private workspace for each party online, so that they
have control only over the parts of the process they’re responsible for. This feature is
important to us from a security perspective
and prevents users making changes to others’ work. Because this information is immediately available, we find that this makes
managing multiple product lines more efficient. Furthermore, in the event a mistake
is made and a product must be recalled,
the portal helps us track these products
quickly using their specifications. Because
the information is electronically stored, we
can easily reuse existing specifications to
create entirely new products in the future.
An important feature of how the packaging portal works is that each stage of the
process must be validated by all parties
using digital signatures. As authorizations
are made instantly online, this attribute
reduced the time everyone spent writing
e-mails or making phone calls. The only
time that we or our partners had to pick up
the phone was if we didn’t agree to sign off
on a particular stage of the process. Once
the details were clarified over the phone,
the section could then immediately be
validated online. As with the undertaking
of any large project, it was important that
those responsible for each part of the process remained accountable for their work.
Because the information is stored electronically and is always available, we can quickly
identify mistakes and spend less time
finding the root cause of the problem and
more time solving it. This helps improve
collaboration and further reduces the risk
of incorrect information finding its way to
the end product with the consumer.
The packaging portal helped streamline
the process and bring together workers
with very different responsibilities and
briefs onto the same management platform. The time we saved in administration
and approval allowed the printers, designers and subcontractors to deliver their work
effectively, and we could quickly proceed
to the next stage in the
development cycle. This
process allowed us to
redevelop packaging
across more products
much faster than we
would using paper
records. We successfully applied changes to
over 20,000 products
throughout both our
food and nonfood
product ranges over the
course of 3 years.
Using software as a
service (SaaS) for our
packaging process dramatically reduced
both the cost and time associated with
managing specifications across our M label
product range. We were also able to improve our ongoing efficiency and develop
our working relationships with third parties
and external agencies. While improved collaboration has helped us deliver an entirely
new range of product packaging and reduce the time of these products to market,
the software could help facilitate effective
product recalls in the future when needed.
the shelves and swiftly deal with those that
have been affected by recalling them.
To make this process as effective as
possible, we must have the right informa-
tion at our disposal and be able to access it
readily. Since the packaging specifications
in the previous process are stored electroni-
cally, we can quickly see which products
have been affected and
implement a recall. The
industry as a whole
needs to realize these
benefits to minimize
the risk of product
recalls, as the news of
a product recall can
damage the reputation
of the whole industry
as well as the specific
retailer concerned. We
must now demonstrate
that we in the food and
beverage industry have
done everything in our
power to protect the consumer by faster
product recalls in hours, not days.
“Incorrect information
displayed on packaging
is not only a problem
in terms of confusing
customers, it is also a
violation of the law…”
Effective Management of Product
Recalls
Incorrect information displayed on
packaging is not only a problem in terms
of confusing customers, it is also a violation of the law and the industry standards
with which we as retailers must comply.
While we make every effort to prevent
mistakes being made in the first place, one
incorrect piece of packaging information,
like a wrong expiration date, can cause a
significant problem. Once the product has
been sent to print, not much can be done
to stop it making its way to consumers
until we are made aware of the mistake.
What we can then do is quickly prevent
further mislabeled products from reaching
New Approaches Needed
We are now under greater pressure to
reduce costs and earn higher margins while
delivering a wider portfolio of products
that engage consumers in new ways. In this
process, we cannot afford to risk avoidable
packaging mistakes that damage reputations, violate our industry standards and
ultimately put consumers at risk. SaaS in
the food industry has proven itself fit to
manage these different demands, reducing
the chance of error without stifling the
creative process.
The food and beverage industry must
ensure that it is innovative in the products
it designs as well as in the ways it reduces
risks and deals with product recalls. Our
individual reputations stand together;
product recalls from poorly managed
packaging have the potential to damage the
view of the industry as a whole, something
none of us can afford in these challenging
economic times. n
France-based Monoprix is a leading European
retailer of food and general merchandise, with
more than 300 stores.
