Optimizing your business with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software sounds attractive. However, many companies in the fresh produce space have been disappointed as generic business software typically doesn’t understand the specifics of the fresh produce business. “Traditional accounting systems don’t understand the complexity of buying crops from farmers,” says Vince Pluhacek with The Northlake Partners. “In addition, other industry-specific software often does not have the flexibility to manage the varying grower settlement requirements without custom development. Or the software supports one line of their business but not another. This is costly and cumbersome to maintain.”
Northlake Partners specializes in optimizing fruit, vegetable, and nut processing businesses with software that is built for their industry. “We understand there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and therefore, we are offering numerous configurations for our clients to meet their unique business needs.”
Testimonials
The software is called NorthScope and was created by The Northlake Partners. One of the company’s clients, an international fruit processing company that works with a wide range of growers in multiple countries had been juggling spreadsheets, QuickBooks, and more to manage their fruit processing business. In their search for a seamless solution, the Oregon-based company prioritized reducing manual processes, automating key aspects of their business, and integrating their inventory. Because they have multiple sets of growers, each with their own unique requirements, the fruit processor found that NorthScope was the only system they came across that could provide a solution to meet all of the specific requirements for each group of growers. Together with Northlake, the company was able to implement a solution that provided the following benefits:
- Saving time importing tickets instead of manually entering them.
- Accessing grower reports in seconds.
- Tracking charges and accruals for grower receiving in real-time.
- Reducing errors.
- Getting real-time access to inventory levels.
Washington-based Sakuma Bros. had been relying on a combination of internally developed software, outsourced software packages, and a legacy accounting system that was no longer supported before turning to NorthScope’s system to provide better visibility into and control over their business. “Thanks to the implementation of this new software system, we have been able to grow into new markets and expand our customer base without adding new staff,” says Juan Baldovinos with Sakuma Bros. “In addition, inventory traceability has improved, and we now have real-time access to data that drives both formatted reports and ad-hoc analysis.”
NorthScope’s dedicated software for the fruit, vegetable, and nut industries was first launched in 2011. “We have a proven track record working with the fresh produce industry, bringing years of experience as well as understanding each customer’s unique business needs. It’s our goal to provide them with the best solution and set our customers up for maximized success.”
For more information:
Tatum Garino
The Northlake Partners, LLC.
Tel: 425-949-3313
TG@TheNLP.com
www.myfoodsoftware.com