Solutions 4 Retail Brands (S4RB) has launched new software to streamline the process for retailers assessing and driving improvements in their private brand products.
The private brand grocery retail specialist has integrated incident link functionality from its UBX LINKTM into its cloud-based UBX Panel Management software, saving retailers time by enabling suppliers to proactively respond to product issues.
A part of S4RB’s UBX Cloud Services, UBX Panel Management allows efficient management of workflow for a range of product assessments including benchmark panels, sensory panels, and regular consistency assessments where multiple products from different batches are compared against each other and their specification. The system helps with the identification of common themes, for example particular issues with consistency from a particular supplier.
The software has recently been updated with integrated functionality for management of ‘corrective actions’. When a product fails a benchmark or sensory assessment, the incident link functionality captures and automatically directs the corrective action required to the relevant supplier, removing the need for further emails and task management. Even if there isn’t technically a ‘fail’ there may be actions to maintain products within tolerance or identified opportunities for improvements; all potential ‘corrective actions’ which can be managed through the new feature.
James Butcher, Managing Director at S4RB, explained the benefits of the software: “Having to constantly chase suppliers for information is a task that adds even more strain to time-poor technical managers and product managers. This software streamlines the communication process for everyone concerned, allowing retail private brand teams to focus on more valuable work.
“A great feature of this is that all history relating to panel tests and discussions relating to corrective actions remains within the system and can be viewed against the product for future assessments. With staff turnover inevitable, these will ensure product development processes run smoothly and needless repetitions are avoided.
“It all comes down to transparency and we truly believe that better results are produced when retailers and suppliers work together as one team. This increases accuracy, resulting in cost savings and enabling suppliers to contribute to innovation, ultimately encouraging them to become brand ambassadors.”
For more information on S4RB, visit www.s4rb.com.