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Take Control of Your Packaging with Specification Management Software

Posted on 
January 29, 2020
Matthew Wright
Founder & CEO, Specright

As CPG companies are reviewing the previous year’s progress and planning for ways to improve in 2020, one area that often gets overlooked is the way they manage their packaging specifications. From dimensions to materials to suppliers and co-manufacturers, there are seemingly countless moving parts that go into creating each package for each product. To date, many CPG companies are still using outdated legacy systems, spreadsheets, and even pen-and-paper to manage specifications. However, these methods create inefficiencies throughout the supply chain and create more manual labor or issues than businesses may have budgeted for. Furthermore, it makes it difficult for companies to strategically manage their supply chains to address the challenges of tomorrow. As you make your business resolutions for 2020, consider embracing the benefits of a digitized approach to packaging with specification management software.

Why Are Packaging Specifications Important?

Packaging Specification Management is Critical for Control

Today’s CPG company faces no shortage of competition, both in terms of competing consumer goods and in the talent arena. To maintain their edge, companies are seeking ways to cut and control costs without sacrificing the quality of service to their customers. This often requires learning how to do more with fewer resources, particularly in the area of human talent as unemployment remains at jaw-dropping low levels.In response, Specification Data Management™ (SDM) is carving a much-needed niche in the CPG industry, offering a better way to view, manage, and leverage data surrounding package specs. Specification Management software from Specright removes all of the inefficiencies of legacy systems to give companies better visibility into packaging. It replaces the traditional spreadsheets and paper-based methods of documenting and managing package data in favor of a digitized single source of truth that users can search, edit, and share. As a result, companies can streamline the entire packaging design process, improve communication, and reduce costly errors associated with accessing the wrong data.

Benefits of Specification Management Software for Packaged Goods

Housing all of your package-related data in a single platform provides companies with a single source of truth that can be accessed by users across the organization, including outside vendors, suppliers and co-mans. Because your data exists in the cloud, sharing information is streamlined for faster response times. Furthermore, it makes it easier for packaging engineers to create packaging specifications and bill of materials. It’s hard to believe, but packaging professionals used to print off all specs, create another document, and transpose numbers, which often resulted in typos. The fact that Specright generates bill of materials from electronic specs eliminates the potential for human error when trying to use multiple tools. It’s also fundamentally changed the concept of version control; with digital specs, everyone instantly has access to the latest version and previous version are archived and easily searchable.Those who need packaging-related data can feel confident they have the latest version from which to work and avoid costly errors. Users can also detect packaging trends over time to make data-driven decisions to reduce costs and gain more visibility into their supply chain. And as companies look to make packaging more sustainable, they can easily report on material usage today, identify materials to change out, and work with suppliers to execute on sustainable packaging initiatives. In addition, companies gain greater control over product standardization and specification, both of which can help to reduce processing time and expense. As competition continues to increase and companies seek ways to get around the talent shortage, using easy to use and intelligent solutions like Specright can help companies remain competitive in the industry while cutting costs and adding value to the organization.

Take Control of Your Data in 2020

Why Specification Management is the Future of Supply Chain eBook

Some of the biggest names in CPG companies, including Johnson & Johnson and Grimmway Farms, have implemented Specright in their packaging departments to gain greater visibility at the spec level. Experience what Specright can do for you and make better data management your new year’s resolution for 2020. Watch the Specright webinar to learn more today.

About 

Matthew Wright

Matthew Wright is the founder & CEO of Specright. Prior to founding Specright, he spent more than 25 years in the packaging industry, holding leadership positions at International Paper, Temple Inland, and rightPAQ — a packaging company he co-founded. He has also been involved in leading multiple M&A deals in the packaging industry. He sits on the Packaging Advisory Board at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo.

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