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End-to-End Recipe Management for the Food Industry

Food manufacturers need robust systems that can handle the intricacies of food production without compromising on safety or quality. Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP offers an all-in-one solution tailored to the food industry. With modules designed for everything from procurement to compliance, Dynamics 365 ERP provides the digital backbone for modern ingredient production management.

Accurate Recipe Management

Recipe management is the heart of food production. The accuracy and consistency of recipes directly impact product quality, customer satisfaction, and brand integrity. Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP offers a powerful recipe management module designed specifically to support formulation, ingredient tracking, and version control.

Key Benefits:

• Formula Management. Easily create and manage recipes with detailed ingredient lists, quantities, preparation methods, and process steps. Each formulation can be linked to specific units of measure and production methods.
• Version Control. Keep track of changes to recipes with robust versioning tools. This allows food producers to iterate on formulations, maintain older versions for specific customers, or align with regulatory demands.
• Yield Optimization. Adjust ingredient inputs based on desired output or yield. The system can automatically recalculate ingredient quantities to meet production goals, reducing waste and maximizing efficiency.
• Allergen & Nutritional Info Integration. Tag ingredients with allergen data, nutritional values, and regulatory warnings. This makes it easier to create compliant product labels and respond to inquiries from regulators or customers.

Business Central with YAVEON ProBatch is the ideal ERP solution for small-to-medium process manufacturing businesses. At the same time, larger companies may require Finance and Supply Chain Management (FSCM) for their high-level operational needs.

D365 ERP Batch Release and Quality Testing

Managing batch production effectively is critical to ensuring safety and quality. Dynamics 365 ERP tools allow manufacturers to closely monitor every step of batch processing, from production to release.

Batch Processing Features:

• Lot Control & Traceability. Every batch of ingredients and finished product is assigned a unique lot number, enabling full traceability. This is essential for recalls, internal audits, or regulatory inspections.
• In-Process Quality Testing. Configure quality checkpoints during production to collect real-time data. For example, moisture levels, pH values, or temperature readings can be logged at critical control points (CCPs).
• Hold and Release Protocols. Automatically hold batches until all required quality tests are completed and approved. Powered by Dynamics 365 tools, manufacturers can prevent the release of any product that doesn’t meet internal or external standards.
• Deviation Management. When test results fall outside acceptable ranges, the system can trigger alerts, initiate investigation workflows, and document corrective actions. This ensures quick response and continuous improvement.

By integrating quality testing directly into batch management, Dynamics 365 ERP ensures that no product leaves the facility without meeting strict quality criteria. This reduces the risk of recalls and boosts customer trust.

Shelf-Life Monitoring

Perishability is a constant challenge in food manufacturing. Ingredients and finished goods must be tracked for shelf life to avoid waste, ensure food safety, and meet consumer expectations. With Dynamics 365 ERP, shelf-life monitoring becomes proactive rather than reactive.

Dynamics 365 ERP Shelf-Life Monitoring features include:

• Expiration Date Tracking. Automatically calculate and assign expiration dates based on shelf-life rules for each ingredient or product (configured by product type, storage conditions, or vendor guidelines).
• FIFO/FEFO Inventory Logic. Leverage First In, First Out (FIFO) or First Expired, First Out (FEFO) inventory strategies to prioritize the use or shipment of older or soon-to-expire items. This minimizes spoilage and ensures compliance with safety practices.
• Warehouse Integration. Integrate shelf life data with warehouse operations to guide pickers toward the appropriate inventory. Alerts can notify staff when products are nearing expiration, prompting discounts, repurposing, or disposal.
• Real-Time Visibility. Gain a complete view of inventory freshness across all facilities, including expiration status, storage conditions, and location. This visibility supports smarter production planning and demand forecasting.

Compliance Tools

Food manufacturers face a labyrinth of compliance standards including HACCP, FDA regulations, FSMA, SQF, and international food safety guidelines. Staying audit-ready at all times is essential. Business Central and FSCM provide tools to embed compliance into daily operations.

Built-In Compliance Support:

• Documentation & Recordkeeping. Automatically generate and store records for traceability, quality checks, supplier certifications, and audit trails. These are readily available during inspections or for internal review.
• Regulatory Labeling. Based on recipe data and compliance requirements for different regions or markets, ensure all products are labeled with accurate allergen, ingredient, and nutritional information.
• Audit Readiness Dashboards. Use configurable dashboards and reports to monitor key compliance metrics in real time, including test pass/fail rates, sanitation logs, and corrective action closures.
• Supplier Management. Track vendor compliance with certifications, delivery performance, and quality scores. Automated alerts can flag suppliers who fall out of spec or require requalification.
• Recall Readiness. In the event of a product issue, Dynamics 365 tools enable rapid lot tracking and recall management, minimizing damage to brand reputation and ensuring customer safety.

Rather than treating compliance as a burden, Dynamics 365 transforms it into a core strength of the production process that protects consumers, reduces legal risk, and builds trust with partners.

Let Stoneridge Software Begin Your Digital Transformation

Whether you're a growing startup looking to modernize your operations or an established producer seeking greater control and transparency, Business Central and Finance and Supply Chain Management from Dynamics 365 provides the tools needed to thrive in a competitive and highly regulated marketplace. Talk to the Stoneridge experts today to see how we can help.

Our Verified Expert

Eric Vandenberg

Eric Vandenberg specializes in helping food manufacturers and distributors simplify complex operations with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. With a deep understanding of the industry’s regulatory demands, traceability requirements, and day-to-day pressures, he focuses on connecting technology to practical solutions that improve visibility, control, and efficiency.

With a background that blends operations, finance leadership, and business applications strategy, Eric brings both operational and financial insight to every engagement. He’s passionate about helping organizations leverage the right systems, services, and processes to reduce risk, streamline workflows, and confidently manage their business.

Read More from Eric Vandenberg

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