Digitization is progressing rapidly, and so is the modern fruit trade. At the upcoming Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid, the developer of test equipment, Dr. Lippert Instruments, will be launching and demonstrating its app-based system for optimizing and accelerating quality controls. The technology will enable tailor-made quality checks at different stages of the value chain - whether in the field during the harvest, during packaging or in the incoming goods department of wholesalers or food retailers. FruitCheck has already demonstrated its added value, especially on the German market, says Frederick Lippert. "Fruit Check is an expert system for QS personnel, quality managers and buyers. It has been developed specifically for the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain."
Companies in the fruit trade (from production to marketing) often lack the systematics and certainty in the performance of optimal quality controls. This also influences the reliable and representative results of communication with suppliers or customers, which is an indispensable factor for a functioning quality assurance and sustainable business success. The wholesale and retail industry expects compliance with increasingly stringent guidelines. "It's precisely for this purpose that we have developed the App, to speed up and optimize quality testing at various stages." FruitCheck has a use in the harvesting or packing process, as well as in logistics or distribution centers. At the same time, the need for centralized office and administrative work is eliminated, Lippert claims. "You save on administrative work, time and, of course, paper. Above all, this time saving is ultimately also an economic factor. Things can be run more practically and efficiently."
"The system consists of two key elements," he explains. "On the one hand, the FruitCheck quality control staff use the app directly on the mobile device as an app on mobile devices." Both purchasing/sales and quality management receive clear inspection reports in real time and -if so desired- all relevant departments and business partners will be informed at the same time and in a professional way on the status of the goods and they will be able to act immediately, which is a decisive factor, especially in the fruit trade."
As a matter of fact, FruitCheck takes on two key functions: On the one hand, the support of the operational business, offering the app instructions and support for quality controllers just as they are needed. The quality status of their goods and control processes can be monitored in real time, product specifications are updated directly. On the other hand, it acts as a strategic tool to support supplier ratings, seasonal evaluations and quality improvements.
"In this international sector, language plays a big role, so FruitCheck has a real-time translation feature. So if, for example, a Spanish person uses the app in Spanish, the documents will directly be translated into the right language." This should save time and reduce communication hurdles, explains the developer.
The FruitCheck system is designed to improve the efficiency of companies by using less time for documentation, personal communication and data management. In addition, risks are to be reduced by evaluating the products and suppliers in categories on demand, which should enable a well-founded selection of business partners. "Employees are more proactively involved in data management and have access to critical data and results at all times, using resources and time more effectively."Over the long term, the use of FruitCheck will improve one's market position. "By choosing suppliers more effectively, customers can be ensured that the right products are delivered , avoiding products that have less potential on the market. This, in turn, contributes to combating unnecessary food wastage while maintaining stability and by default a product is the better it can be marketed at the point of sale and thus avoid waste."
The development team of Dr. Lippert Instruments will be at this year's Fruit Attraction, October 23 to 25 in Madrid, in Hall 7 -booth B10C.
They will be happy to answer any questions on FruitCheck.
For more information:
Frederick Lippert
Dr. Lippert Instruments
Tel: +49 (0) 2642 9999 3010
Web: www.fruit-check.com