Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection has released a new, updated version of its ProdX product inspection management software. Based on Industry 4.0 principles of secure machine-to-machine communication, and in preparation for connectivity to the latest data-protective blockchain technology,
Specific enhancements include:
- Security features, such as enhanced password rules to enforce the use of strong passwords which must be centrally verified by the software
- Security across firewalls, with enhanced Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture (OPC UA) encrypted machine-to-machine communication, including tags for performance test results, seamlessly shared with high-end systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
- Automatically logged performance test data to fulfil food safety regulations
- Full support for batch changeovers which means that an individual product can be automatically traced via its unique serial number
- Fail-safe testing regime for product inspection, ensuring due diligence and compliant performance.
"Food manufacturers are under increasing pressure to satisfy stringent food safety rules and regulations. The growing need for continuous real-time monitoring of food safety compliance will force a cultural attitude change in how manufacturers implement food safety measures," said
"ProdX enables manufacturers to get ahead of these requirements and operate a cost-effective digital solution that provides real-time food compliance, digital traceability and full integrity of data, as well as complete product inspection management. The need for digital food track and traceability is coming - the latest version of our proprietary software ensures that manufacturers are ready for it right now".
The manufacturer says enhanced security features ensure that food manufacturers can demonstrate full accountability and transparency, with individual password control, centrally verified and linked to each machine operator or team leader's role and access privileges. Data is automatically captured and is tamper-proof within ProdX 2.4, including metadata, ie, ‘when, who, where and what’ is inspected.
In this way,
Instead of manual data input and box ticking, measures such as regular compliance performance tests can be automated, and the results are logged digitally without human intervention. According to
New regulations and standards on compliance and transparency in the food industry supply chain - for example, the
"Food manufacturers must be ready for these changes and digital technology provides the answer. Implementing such a digital transformation on their own can be expensive. It also requires sound planning.
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