| In the feature entitled, Food Safety Drives Growth in | | | | set that state that a section of formulas (kosher or |
| Kosher & Halal Foods, Escape Velocity Systems ( is | | | | halal, in this case) are only run on certain machines. If |
| profiled. In the current issue of the International Food | | | | a planner tries to run on another line, the schedule |
| and Safety Quality Network article authored by | | | | boardwill prohibit it from moving. Production history |
| manufacturing journalist TR Cutler, the author notes | | | | can be updated for the machine indicating that a |
| that, “Most consumers believe that kosher and | | | | batch was actually run and received the required |
| halal food products follow stricter quality standards | | | | verification that batches were run on proper |
| than non-kosher products in the same category and | | | | equipment. Indicators that the needed blessing has |
| since safety is a real priority for consumers, regulator | | | | been made to a particular batch, item, or lot can be |
| practices from HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical | | | | indicated.” |
| Control Points) to the Bioterrorism Act to lot | | | | Most food manufacturers which produce primary, |
| traceability, food manufacturers are responding. | | | | semi-processed, and finished products in all principal |
| These quality practices are impacting the fortunes of | | | | food segments can apply kosher and halal food |
| manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. Reputations and | | | | safety standards to their operations. |
| brands are at risk when safety concerns and product | | | | Escape Velocity Systems (EVS) was formed in 2001 |
| recalls are front-page news. There are so many | | | | to combine specific industry knowledge related to |
| recent examples from spinach to pet food; the cost | | | | process manufacturing, distribution, and ERP |
| when quality standards are lacking is both financial | | | | implementations with cutting edge software |
| and brand-killing. Evan Garber, President of Escape | | | | development. The company focus is to create tools |
| Velocity Systems suggested, “Any technology | | | | that enable mid-market enterprises to achieve their |
| solution must indicate whether a formula is Kosher or | | | | goals, focusing on lean processes and ROI. According |
| Halal. O2 is one of the few batch or recipe process | | | | to President Evan Garber, “We realize that good |
| manufacturing ERP (enterprise resource planning) | | | | ERP software is the hub of information in any |
| systems which allow a user to indicate formulas that | | | | process manufacturing enterprise. Timely, reliable, and |
| are Kosher or Halal. Whether Muslim in the case of | | | | centralized data are non-negotiable elements for |
| Halal certificationor a Rabbi in the case of Kosher | | | | businesses competing in the 21st century.” |
| certification, both will typically review formulations as | | | | The term escape velocity refers to the speed that is |
| well as historical production to verify that kosher | | | | necessary for an object to overcome gravity and |
| products have been used. The ability to print and | | | | soar into space. EVS provides direct applications for |
| view all formulas and ingredients that have a | | | | businesses looking for a catalyst, not just a software |
| designation (Kosher or Halal) is vital and must be true | | | | package. Process manufacturers require the best |
| of historical production batches.” | | | | software solution coupled with industry experience |
| Other ERP functionality for these two designations | | | | that will accelerate the velocity with which they race |
| include the requirement of “source of | | | | towards their goals. The gravity of status-quo |
| ingredients” because of the direct relationship to | | | | opposes aggressive, cutting edge organizations as |
| lot tracking of raw materials from procurement | | | | they strive towards high quality and short lead time |
| through production to finished goods. The | | | | delivery while reducing inventories and operating |
| requirement of “status of production | | | | costs. |
| equipment” relates to machines that only run | | | | Escape Velocity Systems |
| kosher or halal items (given the cleaning specification | | | | Evan Garber |
| of both food designations). Garber suggested, | | | | 303.494. |
| “Production planning (finite capacity) rules can be | | | | |