Packaging management logistics is a critical aspect for any company that creates a product requiring durable packaging, safe distribution, and the ability to track it all securely. In fact, packaging management can be one of the biggest headaches within a company. Particularly for manufacturers of delicate, perishable, or sterile goods, there are stringent packaging regulations that are important to adhere to, for their end-customers safety and security.
Packaging problems can lead to accidents and recalls. This is why having a comprehensive packaging management logistics system that ensures product packaging quality and eliminates defects, and non-conforming product is so critical to success. Companies looking to improve their packaging management logistics systems can take more control over their packaging situation by using a packaging management document control system that helps them better manage the following three critical areas:
1. Packaging Logistics
For companies using a packaging system with multiple processes, inputs, and outputs, it’s essential to understand each point in the chain that leads to the end product. By harnessing the documentation at each point in the packaging process, the packaging logistics team can evaluate the efficiencies and inefficiencies in the current system to find ways to optimize the entire packaging process, each step of the way. This optimization can be accomplished by employing a document management system that brings together all the processes and documents involved in the entire packaging process.
For companies that have a legacy documentation system to track their packaging logistics, it’s important to look for a document management system that enables the electronic management of specifications and BOMs, vendors and suppliers, integration with ERP, and comprehensive searching and reports. Then packaging logistics decision makers at the company should be able to use a simple “search-engine-style” search feature to look up and evaluate every stage of the process to find inefficiencies that can be optimized into a smoother, more efficient packaging process. Depending on the needs of the company, a packaging management documentation system can be housed in a secure, on-site server, or a secure, cloud-based location.
A document control system for packaging logistics can include everything from tracking government packaging regulations and materials used to equipment used for packaging, tracing suppliers, products, destinations, labeling, and more. Managers can use comprehensive reports to find places along the packaging process to improve and tighten for greater efficiency.
2. Shipping Logistics
One area of packaging management logistics that can often use considerable efficiency evaluation is the shipping area. Shipping logistics include shipping on both ends of the production system. This means that incoming materials must be tracked as they are sent into the facility, as well as the point where the end product is shipped out to its final destination. Many companies find there are gaps between the production, packaging, and shipping systems at their facilities. These “between points” can cause problems in the overall efficiency process, but using a document management system to track each point can help companies find ways to improve their shipping logistics processes. By tightening the loose ends and eliminating lags between production and shipping within the packaging management areas of the company, fewer shipping problems occur. At the same time, when shipping efficiency is improved, the process is more accurate, and there are fewer misdirects, product losses, and recalls.
3. Tracking Logistics
Speaking of recalls—non-conforming products are something no company wants to deal with. By employing a document control system to precisely track all products and evaluate every step in the packaging management logistics process, a company stands ready to capture non-conforming, defective product before it leaves the facility. These improved tracking logistics capabilities give managers quick tools to protect end users and improve processes to prevent future faulty products from being produced at all. Furthermore, decision makers can more easily pinpoint where a problem exists in the process to eliminate future instances of non-conforming product. Clear, effective steps can be implemented to more tightly controlled points in the process where mistakes have happened. These can be eliminated to improve regulatory compliance, quality, and efficiency at the same time. Tracking logistics documentation can be managed entirely through a robust document control system.
A company that can get a clear handle on its packaging management logistics has a competitive advantage in its market. Many companies still struggle to improve packaging logistics, shipping, and tracking via paper documents, leaving decision makers sifting through file cabinets and folders on local computer drives. Tracking down the right documentation to fix packaging management problems could take hours or even days. But with a fully-featured document management software system (DMS), it’s possible to harness all the legacy documentation and electronic documentation to empower managers, allowing them to gain insight and improve packaging processes all through the system.
Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.
