CAT Squared, a leading global provider of software solutions for the food industry, is pleased to demonstrate the capabilities of the only end-to-end MES for the food industry at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne, Germany. This event marks the company's first appearance at one of the prominent international trade fairs dedicated to food technology and innovation.
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CAT Squared Joins CTB Sister Companies to Present CYNERGY™: Advancing Poultry Processing at IPPE
CAT Squared, a trusted provider of advanced software solutions for the food processing industry, collaborates with CTB sister companies Chore-Time, Meyn, and Cabinplant to unveil CYNERGY™ at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) from January 30 to February 1, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Topics: poultry industry continuous improvement industry 4.0
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CAT Squared and Meyn Debut CYNERGY at Alimentaria FoodTech 2023
BARCELONA, SPAIN — Alimentaria FoodTech 2023 witnessed the impressive showcase of CYNERGY™, a collaborative effort between CAT Squared and Meyn. While Meyn's expertise primarily focuses on first processing in poultry production, CAT Squared's MES software solution covers a broader spectrum of functionalities: managing first processing, secondary processing, and further processing in meat, poultry, and RTC/RTE (ready-to-cook/ready-to-eat) food production.
3 min read
CAT Squared Supports Meat Industry Sustainability through Protein PACT Partnership
The release of the Protein PACT's 2023 Continuous Improvement Report marks a significant milestone in the ongoing journey toward sustainability within the meat industry. It's a testament to the collective efforts of industry leaders, and CAT Squared is proud to play a key supportive role in these transformative endeavors.
Topics: meat industry poultry industry continuous improvement sustainability Protein PACT
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CAT Squared Exhibiting at the 2023 Poultry Symposium for Production & Processing
The countdown has begun for the 2023 Poultry Symposium for Production & Processing, set to take place from October 9 to 11, 2023, at the Rogers Convention Center in Rogers, AR. You can find CAT Squared at booth 21. We are excited to connect with industry peers, showcase our solutions, and discuss the latest developments in poultry processing technology.
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CAT Squared: Paving the Way for Sustainability at the Protein PACT Summit 2023
In an era defined by transformative change and unwavering sustainability commitments, the meat industry stands at a crossroads of innovation, responsibility, and progress. CAT Squared proudly announces its sponsorship of the North American Meat Institute's (NAMI) 2023 Protein PACT (People, Animals, Climate of Tomorrow) Summit, a dynamic event that crystallizes the collective determination to shape a responsible and sustainable future for the industry.
Topics: meat industry poultry industry continuous improvement sustainability Protein PACT
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CAT Squared and Meyn Unveil CYNERGY Solution at Alimentaria FoodTech
CAT Squared, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for the food industry, and Meyn, a global leader in poultry processing solutions, are proud to announce the joint presentation of their groundbreaking CYNERGY™ solution at Alimentaria FoodTech. The event is scheduled to take place from September 26th to 29th, 2023, at Fira Barcelona - Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain. Industry professionals are invited to experience the future of poultry processing and food production at Booth D82.
CYNERGY™ represents a cutting-edge collaboration between Meyn and CAT Squared, leveraging the strengths of both companies to deliver a comprehensive and intelligent solution that transforms the poultry processing industry. The innovative technology combines Meyn's expertise in poultry processing equipment with CAT Squared's advanced software suite, providing seamless integration and real-time data analysis for enhanced production efficiency and quality control.
At Booth D82, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the following key features of CYNERGY™:
Poultry Processing Excellence: CYNERGY™ showcases Meyn's state-of-the-art poultry processing equipment, renowned for its precision, speed, and reliability. Attendees will witness firsthand how the machinery optimizes the entire processing line, from evisceration and cutting to deboning and portioning.
Real-time Data Insights: CAT Squared's advanced software suite seamlessly integrates with Meyn's processing equipment, offering real-time data insights on key performance indicators. This data-driven approach empowers decision-makers with actionable information to enhance production efficiency, reduce downtime, and minimize waste.
Traceability and Quality Assurance: CYNERGY's farm-to-fork traceability solution, powered by CAT Squared, ensures complete transparency throughout the supply chain. From tracking the origin of raw materials to monitoring quality metrics, food manufacturers gain confidence in delivering safe and traceable products to consumers.
Compliance and Food Safety: With a focus on meeting industry-specific regulations and certifications, CYNERGY™ streamlines compliance management, reducing the risk of food safety incidents and ensuring adherence to international standards.
AI-driven Insights: AI capabilities enabled by the CYNERGY™ Cloud delivers predictive maintenance insights, optimizing equipment performance and prolonging the lifespan of processing machinery.
"We are thrilled to introduce CYNERGY™ at Alimentaria FoodTech," said Vernon Smith, CEO at CAT Squared. "This revolutionary solution represents the convergence of two industry leaders, Meyn and CAT Squared, to redefine the future of poultry processing. CYNERGY™ empowers food manufacturers with a level of automation, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making that sets new industry standards."
"CYNERGY™ is the result of a synergistic collaboration between Meyn and CAT Squared," said Eric-Jan Radstake, Chief Innovation Officer at Meyn. "By combining Meyn's best-in-class poultry processing equipment & software programs with CAT Squared's powerful software suite, we are delivering a solution that not only enhances productivity but also elevates food safety and quality throughout the entire production process."
Don't miss this opportunity to witness the future of poultry processing and food production. Join Meyn and CAT Squared at Booth D82 during Alimentaria FoodTech in Barcelona, Spain, from September 26th to 29th, 2023. Experience CYNERGY™ firsthand and learn how it can transform your poultry processing operations.
CONTACT:
CAT Squared: Guillermo Milman, Technical Sales Manager Iberoamérica, Guillermo.Milman@catsquared.com, +34 635 507 140
MEYN: Albert Ribalta, Commercial Director, Meyn Food Equipment Iberica, aribalta@meyn.com +34 620043209
About Meyn:
Meyn is a leading global supplier of innovative poultry processing solutions, offering a comprehensive range of equipment and services to poultry processors worldwide. With a commitment to excellence, Meyn's cutting-edge technology and reliable machinery set the industry standard, ensuring efficient and high-quality poultry processing operations.
About CAT Squared:
CAT Squared is a trusted provider of advanced software solutions for the food and beverage manufacturing industry. The company's software suite empowers food manufacturers with real-time data insights, traceability solutions, and predictive analytics to optimize production processes, enhance food safety, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
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CASE STUDY: Improved Data Quality Saves $ Millions
A case study coauthored by GS1 US and Nestlé Professional demonstrates that good data governance saves time and money while providing transparency and trust to the customers.
Topics: food traceability GS1 Standards data quality management
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Fieldale Farms Implements RFID Technology to Enhance Traceability
In 2022, Fieldale Farms received a customer request to implement new traceability requirements. The customer’s goal was to increase traceability transparency for their consumers, eliminate manual scanning at all levels of their supply chain, improve their inventory accuracies, and build consumer trust. Fieldale brought in CAT Squared to build seamless integrations between the traceability platform and plant-floor hardware to meet the customer’s request.
"CAT Squared helped us achieve the goals our customer asked for by providing new developments in RFID technology systems," said Cameron Smith, IT plant liaison at Fieldale Farms Corporation. Because CAT Squared’s plant-floor solutions are hardware- and software-agnostic, the team was easily able to integrate with readers from Zebra Technologies, software from Mojix, and labeling systems from Avery Dennison.
The customer’s RFID program required Fieldale to incorporate label attributes that comply with the GS1 Foodservice traceability program. The GS1-128 barcodes are scanned throughout the supply chain, capturing the physical location and context of specific products, their lot numbers, production dates, and expiration dates. RFIDs rely on the serialization of each case and linking that serial number to a product commissioning event.
To meet that requirement, CAT Squared handled the encoding (and decoding) of serials to SGTIN-96 (Serialized Global Trade Identification Number) for creating the RFID labels. The system then transmitted Fieldale’s production data by product to Mojix for commissioning events.
In addition to meeting their customer’s requirements, the RFID initiative is anticipated to save Fieldale time on inventory management and stock rotation, mitigate human error, and increase expiration date visibility. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more transparent supply chain through a best-in-class traceability system to enable safety, efficiency, and the verification of food with integrity.
Topics: Traceability technology food traceability GS1 Standards
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Webinar: Building a Framework for Digital Success
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) with the support of CAT Squared will present "Building a Framework for Digital Success," a webinar sharing industry best practices for technology adoption for meat and poultry producers.
Topics: meat industry poultry industry continuous improvement multi-site benchmarking
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CAT Squared Supports NAMI Protein PACT with Meaningful KPI Data
"The Meat Institute’s first-ever continuous improvement report is a game changer for transparency in the sector – setting transparent baselines that will allow us to measure progress and verify our sector’s contributions to global goals,” said NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. Potts was referring to the first of many reports to come from the North American Meat Institute’s (NAMI) Protein PACT (for the People, Animals, and Climate of Tomorrow).
Topics: meat industry poultry industry continuous improvement multi-site benchmarking
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IPPE TECHTalk Examines a Business’s Readiness for Smart Automation
Join CAT Squared's Jack Teague for his IPPE TECHTalk presentation Assessing a Business's Readiness for Smart Automation and Winning Stakeholder Support. The presentation will feature three main objectives:
Topics: continuous improvement food manufacturing automation food manufacturing AI gaining support for technology projects industrial internet of things digitized plant floor industry 4.0
3 min read
Important Dates and Details for FSMA Traceability Requirements
New FDA traceability requirements are effective January 20, 2023. The FSMA Final Rule: Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods includes a requirement for those who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL) to establish and maintain records containing Key Data Elements (KDEs) associated with different Critical Tracking Events (CTEs). The FDA notes that while the proposed requirements only apply to those foods on the FTL, “they were designed to be suitable for all FDA-regulated food products. FDA would encourage the voluntary adoption of these practices industrywide.”
Topics: Era Smarter Food Safety Traceability technology food traceability Labeling key data elements critical tracking events GS1 Standards
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Join us at the CYNERGY Pavilion at IPPE in Hall C-12825
At the 2022 CAT Squared User Summit, CEO Vernon Smith first introduced our customers to CYNERGY, a digital ecosystem that allows seamless connection for CTB equipment enabling
CTB, Inc.
and partners to build value‐added digital services for customers to produce a more efficient food supply chain.
Vernon's full presentation is available by clicking here.
Topics: mes software food manufacturing software continuous improvement software manufacturing operations management software ctb food supplychain solutions improving manufacturing performance digitized plant floor
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The First 5 Steps to Digitize Your Plant-Floor
If you’re a protein processor that has yet to take a significant step into the world of Industry 4.0, you're not alone. Globally, 90 percent of manufacturing companies are Digital Novices, Followers, or Innovators, and less than one-third are well-advanced on their digital journey. If you are just starting out, here are five practical steps to help meat and poultry processors improve manufacturing performance by digitizing their plant floor operations with Industry 4.0 technology.
Topics: manufacturing automation technology adoption manufacturing technology plant-floor software production optimization industrial internet of things improving manufacturing performance digitized plant floor industry 4.0
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Are Meat Processors Prepared for the Extinction of the UPC Barcode?
By 2027, retailers must be able to scan a 2D barcode to retrieve the GTIN-12 (UPC) data string in addition to the linear, 1D EAN/UPC barcode that is commonly used today for pricing information at checkout. This does not mean the linear UPC barcode will go away entirely, but product suppliers will be able to choose between using a 2D barcode or both barcodes on their POS items.
The rollout of the 2D barcode requirement is supported through Sunrise 2027, a new initiative from GS1 US – a neutral, not-for-profit organization that develops internationally recognizable supply chain standards.
Topics: food traceability supply chain software labeling system weigh and label system inventory accuracy waste prevention
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User Summit Early-Bird Pricing Ends March 15
Last Chance to save $100 off the Registration Price
The theme of this year's User Summit is Accelerating Continuous Improvement by Applying Industry 4.0 to Protein Production. CAT Squared along with our CTB sister companies are building a fully integrated platform that enables smart-manufacturing concepts such as the application of AI and machine learning to manufacturing processes. Several keynote presentations will demonstrate how these Industry 4.0 principles are being applied to meat and poultry processing.
Topics: News continuous improvement manufacturing software process alignment ctb food supplychain solutions improving manufacturing performance CAT Squared User Summit
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5 Reasons Why Meat & Poultry Processors Should Attend the User Summit
The CAT Squared User Summit is designed to add value to food production operations by sharing best practices in the industry for adopting new technology in manufacturing processes. This year's Summit will be hosted at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute atop Petit Jean Mountain. The Institute provides an inspiring, secluded, historic setting to learn, connect, and innovate. This year's theme is Accelerating Continuous Improvement by Applying Industry 4.0 to Protein Production. Here are the top five reasons meat and poultry processors should attend the User Summit:
Topics: poultry industry News Arkansas Business manufacturing software process alignment production optimization overcoming end-user resistance successful mes implementation improving manufacturing performance
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CAT Squared Named Finalist for Arkansas Business of the Year
CAT Squared has been named a finalist for the 34th Annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards, which recognizes the state’s top businesses, nonprofits, and executives.
Topics: News Arkansas Business Arkansas Business Expansion cat squared news
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CAT Squared Team Member Publishes Study on Foodborne Pathogens
The August 2021 Journal of Food Protection featured a research article from CAT Squared Implementation Specialist Sheridan Brewer.
Brewer was part of a research team from the University of Georgia that investigated the viability of foodborne pathogens and changing microbial community dynamics in the popular fermented beverage, kombucha. Results were collected using four different home kombucha-brewing kits over at least two 14-day trials of fermentation period for each kit brand. The different microbiota groups, including Lactobacillus spp., which are often recognized as the probiotic cultures in kombucha, surmounted a large population by the third day of fermentation and stabilized after that. The foodborne pathogens studied – Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli – were, surprisingly, able to survive in small numbers ( < 10 -100 CFUs/mL) to the end of a 14-day fermentation period in some kits. However, on average, both pathogens demonstrated a 5-log reduction or greater in population numbers by day 10 of the fermentation period. A 5-log reduction (death of 100,000+ cells/mL) of pathogens is the same standard applied to juice products in HACCP guidance from the U.S. FDA, which could be considered a reasonable standard to apply to this same raw, unpasteurized product.
Overall, researchers determined the indigenous microbiota (“probiotics”) in the beverage did not play a strong role in influencing the survival of any pathogens, but instead, survival was strongly influenced by changes in pH (increase in acidity). The type of base tea used to brew kombucha did play a significant role in the survival of pathogens; kombucha brewed from an oolong/black tea mix demonstrated the most rapid reduction in pathogens as opposed to kombucha brewed with green tea. Lastly, strict hygienic practices were recommended for the preparation of the fermented beverage because the combination of sugar content, water activity level, and gradual change in pH in kombucha fermentation were able to provide a perfect storm for the development and survival of some acid-resistant pathogens.
"CAT Squared wants to congratulate Sheridan on his great accomplishment," said CAT Squared CEO Vernon Smith. "We're proud to have such a driven, talented mind on our team."
Topics: foodborne pathogens food safety journal of food protection
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Supporting Manufacturing Automation Goals by Aligning MOM Technology
The 2020 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies among manufacturers. In the wake of lockdowns and social distancing measures, manufacturers are vulnerable to their dependence on manual labor, and this vulnerability is driving them to look at automation. The Manufacturing Operations Management Institute (MOMi) has released the MOM Solution Guide 2020 as a resource for manufacturers looking for technology vendors with solutions aligned to their industry. The 475-page Guide tracks trends in the MES/MOM industry (Manufacturing Execution Systems / Manufacturing Operations Management). This year, the report included feedback from MES suppliers from around the world who submitted data on 43 MES products, their services, technologies, quality, and industry focus.
Topics: plant floor optimization manufacturing software process alignment mom software mes software continuous improvement software manufacturing execution system manufacturing operations management software improving manufacturing performance
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Stefan’s Retirement Journey: A look back on an incredible career
Please join the CAT Squared family in celebrating Stef’s well-earned retirement. Stefan Schoeman cofounded CAT Squared in 1995 with the late Mike Sardinha and our current CEO Vernon Smith.
Topics: cat squared news
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REGISTER NOW for User Summit 2021
The CAT Squared User Summit is designed to add value to food production operations by sharing best practices in the industry for adopting new technology to manufacturing processes.
Topics: Traceability technology warehouse management software plant-floor software supply chain software food quality software food manufacturing AI continuous improvement software manufacturing operations management software
1 min read
CAT Squared Named Finalist for Arkansas Business of the Year
CAT Squared has been named a finalist for the 33rd Annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards, which recognizes the state’s top businesses, nonprofits, and executives.
Topics: Arkansas Business
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5 Steps for Food Suppliers to Adopt Digital Supply Chain Technology
This last year revealed many vulnerabilities and challenges for food suppliers. The pandemic exposed a vulnerability in manufacturers’ reliance on human labor. Regulatory bodies like the FDA, USDA, and GFFA are compelling supply-chain participants to adopt common standards and digital technologies. Retailers – who are under pressure from consumers demanding more variety, sustainability, transparency, and ethical sourcing – are increasingly willing to go around manufacturers to create the products they need if they can’t get the relationship they want with the manufacturer. These challenges will continue beyond 2021.
Topics: Traceability technology supply chain food traceability continuous improvement key data elements manufacturing automation critical tracking events GS1 Standards
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CAT Squared Thanksgiving Safety and Support Resources
The CAT Squared team wishes you a safe and healthy holiday. This year has been especially challenging for our customers, whose essential status means many of you have endured special hardships to keep our food supply chain running safely. Thank you!
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US Secretary of Agriculture Holds Town Hall Meeting at CTB in Milford
MILFORD, Ind., U.S.A., August 21, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was at CTB, Inc., taking part in an Indiana agriculture and manufacturing town hall meeting at the Milford, Indiana-based company on August 21.
Topics: cat squared news
2 min read
Tom's Journey to Retirement
Please join our team in extending best wishes to CAT Squared Vice President of Sales Tom Huls as he embarks on his next great adventure in retirement. Tom has been a valuable leader of CAT Squared’s sales team for 13 years, capping a 47-year career.
Topics: cat squared news
2 min read
NEW VERSION RELEASED: V.10.17 Now Available
Version 10.17 is now available for customers wishing to upgrade. Please review the release notes below for an overview of new functions:
Topics: cat squared news
1 min read
CAT Squared Releases New Android Apps
In January 2020, Microsoft officially ended its support for Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5. This will complete the end-of-life process for all Windows ruggedized environments.
Topics: food traceability android mobile handheld warehouse management software wms software warehouse management system inventory management system barcode scanners
6 min read
How Technology and Consumers are Transforming the Food Value Chain
At Purdue University's National Conference for Food and Agribusiness, speakers presented results of the University’s research study analyzing what data is collected across the food value chain, how it’s shared, and to what extent it is used to make strategic decisions. The study focused on five levels of the value chain: (1) Ag Input Manufacturers, (2) Ag Retailers, (3) Farmers, (4) First Handlers/Food Processors, (5) Food Manufacturers, and (6) Food Retailers. The event included panel discussions with representatives from each part of the value chain discussing trends they’re experiencing.
Topics: Traceability technology supply chain food traceability technology adoption manufacturing technology food manufacturing automation regulatory compliance food value chain consumer demand
2 min read
TacticalOps: Planning & Optimization Software for Food Manufacturers
CAT Squared has partnered with UniSoma to disrupt the food-processing software industry with the launch of TacticalOps, our planning & optimization tool designed for food manufacturers. This exciting planning & optimization tool empowers food manufacturers with the ability to capture and manage real-time data from the plant floor and, using prescriptive analytics, peer into the future to make better decisions. UniSoma’s previous successes implementing planning and optimization tools based on predictive and prescriptive analytics yielded increased production efficiencies and improvements in planning accuracy. JBS reported an increase in the contribution margin of over 20% due to the use of UniSoma’s Meat Chain Optimizer. In another example, BRF reported $50 million in savings over a three-year period.
Topics: food manufacturing AI continuous improvement software production optimization meat chain optimization production planning software optimize product mix
2 min read
Leading in 'A New Era of Smarter Food Safety'
On October 21, 2019, the FDA held a public meeting with a broad cross-section of industry stakeholders to build a shared vision around A New Era of Smarter Food Safety, a campaign intended to strengthen the agency’s protection of the food supply.
Topics: Era Smarter Food Safety blockchain Traceability technology food traceability supply chain software prescriptive analytics food manufacturing AI industrial internet of things
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CAT Squared becomes IBM Food Trust blockchain onboarding partner
CAT Squared is the first manufacturing execution system (MES) provider in the food industry to become an onboarding partner for IBM Food TrustTM, a blockchain-enabled global network of food chain participants that securely connects supply chain data across the ecosystem with trust and transparency.
Topics: meat blockchain blockchain Traceability technology supply chain supply chain software manufacturing execution system ctb food supplychain solutions food value chain industrial internet of things
5 min read
Using Multi-Site Benchmarking to Improve Performance
In the following article, Jesús Membreño (poultry group MES lead at Cargill) shares his knowledge gained during a multi-site implementation of the CAT2 MES (Manufacturing Execution System) for Cargill Central America. The implementation included integration into plant-floor hardware as well as the company’s ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning) to maximize data management capabilities by harnessing the power of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). By using the multi-plant benchmarking process, Cargill creates meaningful, shareable knowledge from many terabytes of data.
Topics: continuous improvement real-time spc data erp integration production and inventory reports food manufacturing AI continuous improvement software manufacturing operations management software executive dashboards improving manufacturing performance multi-site benchmarking
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CAT Squared Customer Focus
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Topics: cat squared news
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CAT Squared Software Suite 2.5 Now Available
CAT2 Software Suite 2.5 is now available to all CAT Squared customers using our .Net applications (Executive Dashboards, DSD, LIMS). The Software Suite aggregates a number of CAT Squared applications into a single multi-function user interface. The application modules that are included in the first release of the Software Suite include the following:
Topics: cat squared news
1 min read
A Part of Blockchain History
CAT Squared was honored to be a small part of blockchain history as Governor Hutchinson signed Arkansas’ first blockchain legislation embedding in law digital smart contracts. This milestone was a collaborative effort from early supporters of Blockchain for Arkansas, an initiative to coordinate and align safety and distribution efforts among key industry leaders.
Standing behind Governor Hutchinson from left Jeannie Stroth (IBM), Marla Johnson (BCRS), Senator Joyce Elliott (sponsor), Evan Thompson, Ken Hubbell (BCRS), Samantha Lindstrom, Kathy Barbeire (CAT Squared), Richard Bearden, and Jennifer Peper (Aristotle Interactive).
Topics: blockchain blockchain for arkansas initiative
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Blockchain Conference Yields Benefits beyond Traceability
On March 29, members of the CAT Squared team attended the 2019 Blockchain Conference hosted by the Center for Blockchain Excellence at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. The conference included several keynote speakers including Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas. There were also breakout sessions with panels of blockchain innovators and opportunities for developers to break out their laptops and practice interacting with blockchain development platforms. However, of all the sessions we attended, the one I found most exciting was a discussion led by Golden State Foods (GSF) Chief Technology Officer Guilda Javaheri.
Topics: blockchain Traceability technology supply chain food traceability food manufacturing automation food manufacturing AI
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CAT Squared to Develop Blockchain App Connecting the Food Value Chain
For nearly 25 years, CAT Squared has developed manufacturing execution systems (MES) to manage plant-floor processes for food processing facilities. CAT Squared’s MES delivers end-to-end traceability from receiving of ingredients and dry goods through shipping of final product. By combining our MES with blockchain and other IIoT technologies, CAT Squared can now expand the reach of our capabilities outside the four walls of the plant, connecting all participants of the food value chain.
Topics: blockchain Traceability technology supply chain food traceability supply chain software food manufacturing AI industrial internet of things
4 min read
What does Walmart’s blockchain mandate mean for you?
On September 24, Walmart released a letter to their leafy greens suppliers requiring end-to-end traceability back to farm by September 30, 2019. This mandate is in response to multiple high-profile recalls and outbreaks associated with these types of products. To help their suppliers meet Walmart’s traceability goal, the letter refers suppliers to the IBM Food Trust network, a blockchain solution pioneered through a partnership between Walmart and IBM to improve food safety.
Topics: walmart blockchain meat blockchain blockchain Traceability technology supply chain food traceability
1 min read
Version 10 Now Available
New Functionality Available in FSQM
Dynamic Data Keys - Users now can create and modify their own dynamic data keys. We only advise users with some SQL knowledge should use this as these data keys can have major impacts on system functionality.
Process-Change Logging - FSQM now offers Process Change Logging. With this functionality, users can monitor changes on various parameters, personnel, and departments against a product code. This will allow users to document how specific changes affect processes.
CUSUM - Per the US Government Publishing Office 2016 CFR, title 9 vol. 2, part 381, cumulative sum (CUSUM) is defined as a statistical concept used to determine compliance with finished product standards (pg 455). CAT Squared developed a software solution for calculating CUSUM scores, CUSUM status (InAction or InControl), and scheduling audits. This SOP goes over how the initial setup for CUSUM with the CUSUM Wizard.
Topics: food quality system mes software manufacturing software upgrade process food safety software
3 min read
CAT Squared Joins CTB Family
CAT Squared is excited to announce that we are joining the CTB, Inc. family of brands. CTB is a trusted global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of agricultural systems and solutions. CAT Squared is CTB’s first acquisition of a software provider. This purchase adds value to the CTB family by capitalizing on the synergy between CAT Squared's manufacturing execution software for the food industry and CTB’s hardware and equipment brands such as Cabinplant and Meyn.
Topics: manufacturing technology mom software supply chain software food manufacturing software manufacturing execution system ctb food supplychain solutions
3 min read
CAT Squared Supports Arkansas Food Blockchain Initiative
On June 27, 2018, CAT Squared along with dozens of business, government, agriculture, and education leaders from across Arkansas met with Governor Asa Hutchinson and IBM to explore the evolving use of blockchain technology to track the distribution of food from farm to fork. This workshop was a part of the Governor’s new initiative: Blockchain for Arkansas, or BC4AR, an initiative to coordinate and align safety and distribution efforts among key industry leaders.
Topics: traceability blockchain Traceability technology food traceability blockchain for arkansas initiative
5 min read
Overcoming Employee Resistance to Innovation
About two years ago, our training team arrived at a plant to teach plant-floor operators how to use our newly installed MES system to track and manage production data. On the first day of training, an older employee was handed a touchscreen tablet he would now use to perform quality checks. His hand was trembling as he first touched the screen. Our sales representative asked what was wrong, and the gentleman responded that he had only touched a computer once in his life.
Topics: overcoming end-user resistance successful mes implementation overcoming fear of technology gaining support for technology projects
1 min read
Cargill Meats Thailand Promotes New Technology Adoption
On March 20, Cargill Thailand hosted CMT / CAT Squared Modernization Day, a technology event promoting to their employees the work Cargill Meats Thailand is doing with CAT Squared and SAP. CAT Squared specializes in developing MES (manufacturing executions systems) that manages a company’s plant floor and interfaces production data into ERP systems like SAP ERP.
Topics: technology adoption food manufacturing software continuous improvement software
1 min read
CAT Squared Keeps Mar-Jac Poultry Compliant with State Regulations
For industrial-scale food producers, staying compliant with a patchwork of state, federal, and international regulations is challenging. The State of Alabama requires commercial manufacturing operations like Mar-Jac to maintain National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) certification on their weighing and measuring instruments. Not only do the scales and other hardware devices themselves need to be certified, but the software reading data from these devices must also conform to the standards of the National Conference on Weights and Measures, ensuring the manufacturer’s data is accurate.
Topics: Labeling manufacturing technology plant-floor software food manufacturing software labeling system regulatory compliance ntep certified system
2 min read
1 min read
Customer Feedback from Latest MES Software Release
CAT Squared is working hard to bring our customers the best manufacturing operations management software available in the industry. We are committed to releasing new functionality to our customers three times each year. As a reminder to our customers, new releases are available in January, May, and September.
Topics: mobile-app warehouse management system manufacturing technology plant-floor software supply chain software manufacturing software upgrade process
3 min read
Get the Most out of Your ERP
In last month's feature, we discussed various categories of data-management software systems used in manufacturing. This month, we’ll continue this conversation by more deeply defining the difference between ERP systems and MOM / MES systems and discussing how ERP integration with MES systems empowers manufacturers with real-time business intelligence to make better decisions.
Topics: manufacturing automation manufacturing software process alignment process mapping manufacturing technology erp integration plant-floor software mes software food manufacturing automation real-time data continuous improvement software manufacturing execution system
3 min read
Improving Quality Control with Real-Time SPC
In July, CAT Squared released an update to their SPC software that empowers plant-floor operators with real-time SPC trending data and charts. Production staff can now make adjustments to their plant-floor processes and immediately see how those adjustments impact the quality of the product.
Topics: plant floor optimization continuous improvement statistical process control real-time spc data plant-floor software food manufacturing software executive dashboards
3 min read
ERP? MES? MOM? Which is the Best Food Industry Software?
Information technology has changed the face of traditional manufacturing. Every day, there seems to be a new buzzword defining another software category to help you manage your company’s data. But which kind of software system is best for your company? What software system will give you the best ROI? Do you need an ERP or an MES? Can an ERP function as an MES? What’s the difference? And while we’re asking these questions, can someone please define some of these acronyms?
Topics: manufacturing wms software warehouse management system erp integration mom software plant-floor software mes software
1 min read
How Do You Know If You Can Trust Your Data?
There's serious money at stake if weights and measures are off, even by a little. During a previous implementation, we found that one of our customers was averaging four ounces of giveaway per case of product. On one of their top-selling items, they were giving away $2 per box and were producing thousands of overweight cases each day. This discovery was possible through a combination of our FSQM software and properly calibrated weighing systems that run off our scale interface software. But how can you trust that this data is accurate?
Topics: real-time data food manufacturing software manufacturing execution system ntep certified system weigh and label system
3 min read
Process Mapping Resolves Internal Conflict around Technology Adoption
It's common within family-owned businesses to see intergenerational conflict regarding when and how to adopt new technology. Often, I hear, "The CEO's son is interested in our system, but he’s got to wait for Dad to retire to make a move." This comment tells me that there are many company executives who are (understandably) intimidated by new technology and want to continue operating for as long as they can within their comfort zones. After all, they built the company and know it better than anyone else… Why change?
Topics: process mapping technology adoption manufacturing technology
4 min read
Partnership Delivers Prescriptive Analytics to Food Manufacturers
CAT Squared is proud to announce a new partnership with AIMMS, an award-winning vendor of Prescriptive Analytics software, and UniSoma, a leading provider of Advanced Planning solutions. The partnership will enable AIMMS, UniSoma and CAT Squared to provision prescriptive analytics applications for food processing and production companies.
Topics: planning software continuous improvement production planning prescriptive analytics production and inventory reports manufacturing software food manufacturing automation food manufacturing AI production scheduling real-time data food manufacturing software continuous improvement software
2 min read
New Food Safety Quality Hold System Available
"Our customers have been asking for the ability to create positive release holds within our Food Safety Quality Management (FSQM) software, and we’re happy to announce that our updated hold system is available in the latest release of our FSQM Module v9.37.00," said Vernon Smith, CEO of CAT Squared.
Topics: quality hold system positive release holds food quality software food safety software
3 min read
Food-Industry Leaders Organize Crew to Give Shoes to African Children
Three food-industry leaders have organized a team to participate in the Put Foot Rally across southern Africa. The event raises money to provide underprivileged African school children with a pair of shoes. For many, it will be the first pair of shoes they’ve ever owned. The team is made up of three Americans:
Topics: cat squared news
4 min read
ABC Costing Case Study for Food Manufacturers
To maximize profitability, companies must have a firm grasp of what it costs to manufacture and process each product. This becomes increasingly challenging for large companies with thousands of employees and long supply chains or multiple manufacturing plants. This study demonstrates a return on investment of less than just a few months of full integration of CAT Squared's costing system.
Topics: plant floor optimization food processing continuous improvement manufacturing software process alignment plant-floor software mes software food manufacturing software ABC Costing System Activity-Based Costing Software
2 min read
10 Most Common Labeling Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Industrial-scale food producers manage potentially hundreds of individual labels per each product code, item code, SKU, or material items, which creates a headache for version control and maintenance. The complexity of managing so many labels leads to data errors and human errors that negatively affect quality. According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) the ten most common labeling mistakes food producers make are:
Topics: Traceability technology Labeling
1 min read
CAT Squared Under Construction
As many of our customers know, CAT Squared is undergoing a period of tremendous growth, and we want to tell you how we are putting our customers first. Over the coming months, we will tell you about our expansion, new processes, and how we are improving our services to you. This month, we want to tell you about major changes in our Latin American office.
Topics: Arkansas Business Expansion Latin American Business
1 min read
5 Benefits of Installing Executive Dashboards
What is an Executive Dashboard?
An Executive Dashboard is a visual representation of a company’s key performance indicators, giving executives a quick overview of their company’s performance metrics in real-time.Topics: plant floor optimization continuous improvement real-time data executive dashboards
1 min read
Turkey Demand Project to Boost Consumption
One of the hot topics at February's annual meeting of the National Turkey Federation (NTF) was the Turkey Demand Project. In 2015, U.S. consumption of turkey was 16.0 pounds per person. NTF’s goal is to increase per-person turkey consumption to 20 pounds by 2020.
Topics: continuous improvement software manufacturing execution system manufacturing operations management software consumer demand National Turkey Federation News
1 min read
USDA Catfish Regulations: One Year Later
March 2017 marks the one-year anniversary of USDA regulatory oversight of the catfish industry. The industry is one year into an 18-month transition period as FSIS implements their inspection process. There is much speculation as to the future of such regulations under the new administration, but many catfish producers have already invested in the infrastructure necessary for compliance.
Topics: food quality system food quality software food manufacturing software regulatory compliance paperless haccp system usda compliance
1 min read
NEW Direct Store Delivery for Mobile Devices
CAT Squared is proud to announce the release of our new Direct Store Delivery (DSD) app for mobile devices. DSD provides route accounting, inventory control, mobile point-of-sale, and delivery functionality. The app integrates into a company's ERP, CRM, and WMS systems reconciling financial and inventory data.
Topics: Traceability technology mobile-app food traceability warehouse management system supply chain software ctb food supplychain solutions cat squared news direct story delivery system dsd management system
1 min read
CAT Squared recognized for excellence in global trade
On Tuesday, May 24, CAT Squared was recognized with the Governor's Award for Excellence in Global Trade by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas District Export Council (ArDEC). The 7th annual awards luncheon recognized exporting excellence among Arkansas's manufacturers and service providers.
Topics: cat squared news
4 min read
CAT Squared Making LIMS Relevant to Food Processing Today
(Reprinted with permission from Food Engineering Magazine)
LIMS (laboratory information management systems) software is often a generalized, "one-size-fits-all" approach, not fine-tuned for the food and beverage industry.
Topics: LIMS for food manufacturers laboratory information management system manufacturing software process alignment
3 min read
How plant-floor Scoreboards Improve manufacturing Yields
Peco Foods Inc., Tuscaloosa, Ala., is a privately-held, family-managed company known for its high-quality poultry products. In fact, its family-style business and management practices help to employ many hard-working Americans in the southern United States.
Topics: continuous improvement real-time data plant-floor scoreboards
2 min read
CAT Squared Identified as Unique MES Fit for Food Industry by MESA
In October 2015, Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) International released their annual MES Product Survey. This is the 16th year MESA has published this report tracking trends in manufacturing execution systems (MES). This year, the report included feedback from MES suppliers from around the world who submitted data on 71 MES products, their services, technologies, quality, and industry focus. Of the 67 participating vendors, CAT Squared was the only solutions provider whose sole focus was serving the food industry.
Topics: mom software mes software food manufacturing automation food manufacturing software manufacturing execution system manufacturing operations management software
2 min read
Process Improvements Add Value for Meat Packers
Before writing a quote to a potential customer, our team generally performs a site visit to determine exactly what solutions are most needed and where necessary equipment would be installed.
Topics: meat industry manufacturing food processing paperless haccp continuous improvement meatpacking
1 min read
Egg Traceability System Protects the Public from Salmonella Outbreaks
Leaders in the egg industry are adopting a new tool to aid in the fight against food-born salmonella outbreaks in egg products. The CAT² Egg Tracking & Traceability System will further aid in the effort to isolate and recall affected egg products before they reach supermarket shelves and the carts of shoppers.
Topics: Traceability technology food traceability warehouse management system egg inventory management
2 min read
Avoid Recalls Due to Mislabeled Allergens
For the fifth straight year, undeclared allergens were the leading cause of USDA recalls. Starting April 12, 2015, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) began ongoing, monthly testing and verification to determine whether facilities are accurately controlling and labeling the "Big 8" food allergens: wheat, shellfish, eggs, fish, peanuts, milk, tree nuts, and soybeans.
Topics: food quality software food manufacturing automation labeling system mislabeled allergens food allergen recalls
1 min read
Stop Throwing Away Acceptable Product
CAT Squared's Debone Yield application empowers companies to improve yield and efficiencies in their deboning departments. The Debone Yield application records incoming weights (e.g., front halves), outgoing component weights (e.g., breast meat, tenders, and frames), as well as meat-on-frame scrape check data, identifying where loss is occurring in the deboning process. Debone Yield provides management with a real-time view of line speeds, efficiencies, weights, and product loss, and CAT Squared's plant-floor dashboards facilitate real-time feedback to associates, enabling them to improve yields in real-time.
