NECS

The global food supply chain is a dynamic network that plays a pivotal role in assuring a constant supply of food from farm to table. Supporting this critical function demands a specialized ERP system that is comprehensive, easy-to-use and cost-effective, capable of automating and managing all the critical daily tasks of a food service distributor.

Founded in 1987, NECS developed its ERP software to meet these specific requirements.

The company’s flagship product, entrée, is a comprehensive Windows application ensuring greater visibility, improved regulatory compliance, extended shelf life for perishables, and a more proactive and agile food supply chain. These benefits extend across the food industry, enhancing outcomes for logistics partners and end consumers alike.

“We wanted to develop top quality software for food distributors addressing the shortcomings of existing solutions, which were often overly complex, expensive, and inadequate,” says Chris Anatra, president of NECS. “Seeing the transition from expensive mainframe systems to more affordable personal computers, we capitalized on emerging Microsoft and networking technologies to create a user-friendly and cost-effective software solution.”

entrée: A Comprehensive Solution Suite

Since its inception, NECS has been developing and refining its entrée software to adapt to the evolving needs of food distributors. The current version of the software is an allinclusive system with industry-specific features, including catch weight management, customer special pricing, standard order guides, inventory lot control, and warehouse management.

It is engineered to handle key concerns in the food distribution industry, like compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act, which mandates enhanced traceability for various food products. This real-time visibility helps distributors swiftly identify and address spoilage or contamination, minimizing the risk of widespread recalls.

The software is also designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency across various aspects of food distribution and for all parties involved. NECS’ revamped e-commerce platform is a key component in this effort. Orders customers place are quickly and efficiently processed with near real-time updates in the distributor's system, ensuring seamless and accurate information flow.

In addition, NECS offers entrée.POD (Proof of Delivery) to help drivers prevent delivery errors and work faster and more accurately. The entrée system supports Automated Clearing House (ACH) and credit card payments, moving beyond cash-only transactions to simplify billing and reduce administrative burdens.

“A crucial component of an effective ERP solution for food distributors is the Warehouse Management System (WMS). We have our own WMS but also offer flexibility by partnering with other WMS providers," says Anatra. “Our clients use it for ensuring accuracy and traceability, as well as reducing expiry and improving overall operational efficiency.”

Together, these features streamline operations and boost efficiency, especially given the rising inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Customization, Implementation and Feedback

NECS’ entrée is powered by millions of lines of source code, enabling the software to accommodate the diverse and unique needs of food distributors.

Once implemented, the ERP software is ready to operate effectively right out of the box, yet offers hundreds of options and system security settings that allow for unparalleled customization without any software modifications.

“Users of our software benefit from 34 years of industry experience and best practices on how to run a food distribution business, all seamlessly integrated into a single, comprehensive package,” says Anatra. “As a purpose-built platform provider, our extensive industry-focused user community can’t be overlooked. Almost 500 food distribution and processing companies are helping to drive development specific to the industry. More generic ERP systems can’t compare, despite whatever advantage they might profess.”

When onboarding new clients, NECS first addresses their existing system, whether it’s a basic tool like QuickBooks or a more complex, custom-built software. The initial phase involves a data conversion process where the company assists in transferring and importing the client’s data into the new software. Following this, NECS ensures proper setup, including configuring inventory items, customers, vendors and commission structures.

The company also offers on-site training that covers various aspects of the new software. After the initial setup and training, NECS provides ongoing support, available 24/7, 365 days a year, ensuring clients have continuous access to assistance whenever needed.

This is complemented by its structured feedback process in which each customer is assigned a dedicated technical support representative through whom their needs and suggestions can be communicated. NECS also uses an online system where customers can submit and vote on feature ideas. Popular suggestions from multiple clients are considered for integration into future updates of the entrée system.

An example is the introduction of user-defined fields in the upcoming version 5, a feature developed in response to customer feedback to improve dashboard and report analysis.

These innovations have helped the company stay current with industry trends and ensure its solution meets the latest real-world requirements.

Looking ahead, NECS aims to release entrée V5 in the third quarter of 2024. The company also plans to incorporate RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to transform warehouse management. RFID barcodes, equipped with embedded chips will enable automatic tracking of entire pallets through sensors, eliminating the need for manual scanning.

“While the technology has been around for over a decade, we want to adopt it in food distribution for automated, real-time inventory counts at the press of a button. This will significantly improve accuracy and efficiency, especially when finding and retaining warehouse staff is becoming challenging,” says Anatra.