1. Implement a Centralised Data System
One of the most effective ways to improve traceability is to consolidate all production and inventory data into a single, centralised platform. A fragmented system makes it easy for critical information to get lost or misreported.
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) like Canary7 acts as a unified hub, capturing every data point, from supplier deliveries and material movement to finished goods distribution. With all your information in one place, it becomes far easier to trace product origins, verify compliance, and generate accurate audit reports.
2. Use Barcode and RFID Tracking
Manual record-keeping is one of the biggest barriers to traceability. By adopting barcode or RFID technology, manufacturers can automate tracking across every stage of production.
Each item, batch, or pallet receives a unique identifier, allowing you to:
• Record real-time data on movement and handling.
• Eliminate manual entry errors.
• Instantly locate defective or recalled items.
• Improve accuracy in inventory and production reports.
Canary7 integrates seamlessly with barcode and RFID systems, giving manufacturers end-to-end product visibility without the complexity.
3. Integrate Your WMS with ERP and Production Systems
Disconnected systems are a recipe for compliance issues. When your warehouse, ERP, and production platforms aren’t communicating, data gaps and inconsistencies can arise, making it hard to prove compliance or trace items accurately.
With Canary7’s seamless ERP integration, manufacturers can synchronise every process and maintain real-time updates across departments. This integration ensures:
• Consistent, accurate data across the business.
• Full visibility from material sourcing to customer delivery.
• Automatic documentation for compliance audits.
By linking systems together, you eliminate silos and gain full confidence in your traceability data.
4. Standardise Quality Control Procedures
Traceability and quality control go hand in hand. Without standardised procedures, it’s difficult to maintain consistency or identify where issues occur.
Manufacturers should implement digital quality checkpoints at each stage of production and warehouse processing. With Canary7, every product movement and inspection can be logged automatically, ensuring full accountability and compliance with internal and external standards.
5. Maintain Accurate Batch and Lot Tracking
Batch and lot tracking is essential for industries where recalls or quality checks are frequent. By assigning batch or lot numbers to materials and products, you can trace exactly which components were used, when they were produced, and where they went.
With Canary7, you can:
• Instantly trace items back to their origin.
• Quickly identify affected products during a recall.
• Generate detailed compliance and production reports.
• Meet industry regulations with ease.
This level of transparency not only improves compliance but also strengthens customer trust and satisfaction.
6. Automate Compliance Reporting
Manually compiling compliance documentation is time-consuming and prone to errors. Automation can simplify and accelerate this process dramatically.
With Canary7, manufacturers can automatically generate detailed audit and compliance reports, complete with real-time data from across the supply chain. This ensures that when regulatory inspections occur, your records are accurate, accessible, and fully compliant.
7. Leverage Real-Time Analytics
Real-time analytics empower manufacturers to monitor performance, detect anomalies, and make proactive decisions. With Canary7’s built-in analytics tools, you can track production efficiency, error rates, and material movement, identifying potential compliance risks before they become costly problems.
This data-driven approach allows you to predict issues, improve processes, and demonstrate continuous improvement, a key requirement for many industry certifications.
