FoodLogiQ Refines Auditing User Experience, Introduces Core Platform Enhancements in Fall ‘21 Release

Throughout the course of 2021, FoodLogiQ has delivered an extensive variety of new functionality, innovative features, product improvements and platform enhancements. From extended role-based permissions, traceability event normalization and the ability to initiate a withdrawal via CSV import, to Connect Data Links and dynamic SSO functionality, FoodLogiQ has delivered key improvements and comprehensive expansion across the Connect platform. This year’s Fall Release continues that trend, focusing significantly on enhancements across Audits and Assessments functionality, in addition to the user experience. This release also brings with it several advancements to the core Connect platform, and reflects continued investment in traceability data visibility and open API access. Read on to learn more about the key components that comprise FoodLogiQ’s Fall 2021 Release.

Key Elements of the Fall 2021 Release

Refined Audits and Assessments UX

In continuation of the substantial enhancements made to Manage + Monitor functionality during previous releases, FoodLogiQ delivered a revamped Audits and Assessments user experience this fall. Improving the auditing user experience was a main focal point of this release, and was heavily influenced by customer feedback through mediums like the Idea Exchange. Many of the new design enhancements were made in response to direct customer input, which primarily centered on generating a more seamless, straightforward experience and improving responsiveness on smaller screens with lower resolution.

The refined Audits and Assessments user experience allows users to clearly focus on the question at hand, improves legibility and eliminates confusion when performing an audit, allowing for a streamlined, straightforward experience. In addition, these improvements align with many of the upgrades previously introduced to Audits and Assessments functionality, and empower users to quickly and easily execute audits via a consolidated desktop UX that emphasizes ease of use.  

Expanded Auditing Functionality and Applications

In tandem with updates made to the Audits and Assessments user experience, FoodLogiQ also introduced expanded auditing functionality and applications. With the Fall Release, Manage + Monitor now features extended capabilities that allow multiple users to complete audits or assessments simultaneously on the desktop experience. For example, two auditors can divide and conquer the same audit at a specified plant to speed up the process, as well as review other auditors' responses. Keeping with pre-existing functionality, respective audit answers, documentation and scores will be reflected in FoodLogiQ Connect for future reference and reporting.

In addition to this functionality, FoodLogiQ has introduced support for a new auditing use case within Audits and Assessments. Prior to the release, users could perform three main types of audits: supplier self-assessments, supplier audits and internal audits. The Fall Release introduces the novel ability to audit a supplier’s product on “My Location,” or an internal location such as a facility, store or plant. This is especially valuable when performing an audit on a supplier’s product at a proprietary facility or internal manufacturing location.

Expanded EDI Support

On the traceability front, FoodLogiQ also introduced expanded Electronic Data Exchange (EDI) support as part of our Fall Release. As a reminder, FoodLogiQ Connect supports a wide variety of methods for submitting Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) containing shipping, receiving and transformation data. One of these key methods is via EDI, which is commonly utilized to share an Advance Ship Notice (ASN). The work done in our most recent release, which institutes support for EDI 861, enables event submitters to use their existing EDI transactions, such as EDI 856, to submit both shipping and receiving events. 

With this release, users can not only leverage FoodLogiQ’s EDI 856 support for shipping events, but can also capture receiving events using existing EDI messages that are already being shared with trading partners. The introduction of EDI 861 support eliminates the headache of having to configure a different process for submitting receiving events into FoodLogiQ Connect, and supports the most common EDI messages utilized among our partners. As we look forward to pending regulation like the proposed FSMA 204 rule, the ability for firms to leverage their existing EDI transactions to capture required CTEs will make it easier to ensure compliance with new requirements.

Bulk Data Import Updates

Recent innovation surrounding bulk data imports within FoodLogiQ Connect relates to an ongoing challenge FoodLogiQ experienced surrounding suppliers’ submission of product and location data. In many cases, customers require that suppliers submit specific product and location-related data, which is coincidentally reflected in required fields. However, at times, this has resulted in the delay or absence of data input into the platform.

As a result, FoodLogiQ introduced updates to the bulk data import function within Connect in association with this release. As part of these improvements, FoodLogiQ has relaxed required fields on import, and instituted the automatic generation of Supplier To-Dos to remind suppliers of unfinished, required fields that need completion. These updates allow users to import bulk supplier product and location data smoothly and swiftly, utilizing To-Dos to ensure that required custom attributes are populated at a later date.

Updated API Documentation

FoodLogiQ’s open API enhances business processes through the introduction of a strong, secure data flow that leverages data across existing systems. In addition to the aforementioned functionality introduced in the Fall Release, FoodLogiQ issued updated in-product API documentation for several routes, including the GET route for listing all available business To-Dos.

Created with accessibility, transparency and ease of use in mind, this documentation extends support for establishing connections between FoodLogiQ Connect and various external systems, from BI tools, to ERPs, to internal software and more. To reference this updated documentation and learn more about potential API integrations, head to the Resource Center in the Connect platform.

This functionality, along with additional features delivered in FoodLogiQ’s Fall 2021 Release, is now live in FoodLogiQ Connect. Log in to Connect to experience the new features, updates and enhancements, and be sure to consult our Knowledge Base for more information. Additionally, visit FoodLogiQ’s blog for more information on product innovation and development, food industry news and FoodLogiQ events.