Progressive Beef
Digitizing Forms & Automating Feedlot Compliance Processes To Save Time & Effort
About
Progressive Beef
More than just a compliance management system: Having partnered with the likes of Costco, Wendy’s, and Tyson Foods, the team behind one of the largest USDA-certified beef marketing programs has certified nearly 6 million cattle through the program and is known for encouraging the entire cattle raising and beef processing industry to follow best practices as well as prioritize animal welfare and sustainability.
Industry Type
AgTech
Revenue
$300K
Solution
Web or Mobile-based Application
Understand the Challenge
Paper-Based Processes Affecting Productivity
Manual workflows and processes were making it increasingly difficult to manage feedlot compliance tasks and adhere to different SOPs at the same time. This was because of several reasons:
- It’s difficult for feedlot workers to manage paper-based documentation like Standards of Procedure (SOPs) because managing paper on the go and constantly referring to the documentation is cumbersome as well as time-consuming.
- It’s difficult for the management and supervisors to track the performance of the feedlot workers and the tasks being performed in the feedlot until the workers return and report back.
- It’s hard to conduct audits because it was time-consuming and costly to keep track of SOP adherence.
- Manual processes made it next to impossible to trace the meat back to the animal.
Why Digital Transformation is Important?
Enhanced Efficiency
Digital transformation provides significant improvement in workflow efficiency, helping optimize internal processes in an organization.
Streamlined Data Management
Allows greater control and visibility of data through effective tracking of KPIs that helps in proactive decision making.
Cost Optimization
The use of modern technological tools help optimize cost by prioritizing and optimizing operational process of a company.
Increased Productivity
It helps increase employee engagement by empowering employees to make informed decisions quickly by forming a collaborative work environment.
Building the Solution
Automating Workflows & Tracking The Feedlot Management and Auditing Processes
management web and mobile solutions. With our solutions, we helped the client entirely
eliminate the paper-based system, which helped save time as well as effort.
Our Approach
Understanding The User Journey
We first went through a comprehensive discovery process to identify the client’s requirements and any challenges being faced by them. We created user personas, delved into the requirements, and identified critical areas to be able to align the process with what the client had in mind. This is also where we realized the need for two applications to be developed in two phases: one for the feedlot managers and a separate one for the auditors.Building Wireframes & Designs
We then built wireframes to conceptualize what we understood from the requirements and after getting them approved, we went on to the actual designs.Development
Our developers then went on to build two separate applications catering to different users.Deployment, Testing & Training
We launched the MVP in 7 months and then proceeded to train the employees while simultaneously making improvements.The Solution
Task automation
After digitized over forms, tasks could now be automated and assigned to relevant personnel. The workers no longer had to manage paper-based forms. Missing tasks were notified immediately and managed accordingly.
Record History
Every submitted task, review, and audit was digitally saved in the system so that it is easily accessible whenever it’s needed. To make it easier, records can be searched on the basis of worker, location, as well as time.
Compliance audits
Audits are performed using audit checklists by internal and external auditors who gauge the workers’ performance and verify if compliance procedures are being followed.
Offline support
Fields would sometimes have little or no bandwidth but the workers could still fill in the forms while offline. They would automatically sync with the system as soon as an active internet connection was found.
User roles
User roles were assigned such as program managers, field workers, and supervisors to help everyone get appropriate access to the information they need according to their roles
Multiple feed yards
The solution catered to users overseeing multiple feedlots at the same time and tasks could be assigned to workers working in different fields, which enabled the client to cater to many feedlots.
Corrective actions
Corrective actions are assigned when missing tasks are notified or when audits don’t go as planned. This keeps productivity on track and helps the compliance process run smoothly.
Biometric login
Fingerprint security and face recognition were added features to help save time and effort for the field workers who may not always have the time to sign in.
The Resulting Transformation
Eliminating Manual Processes & Maximizing Productivity
The solution offered by Folio3 allowed the management to leverage a consolidated view of the work being done across all feedlots and also check if compliance is in order. It helped increase the productivity of the feedlot as well as the performance of the workers. Our custom solution helped add value to the business of the client and helped them overcome their challenges. Here are a few ways that the solution added value to the existing program:
- It’s difficult for feedlot workers to manage paper-based documentation like Standards of Procedure (SOPs) because managing paper on the go and constantly referring to the documentation is cumbersome as well as time-consuming.
- It’s difficult for the management and supervisors to track the performance of the feedlot workers and the tasks being performed in the feedlot until the workers return and report back.
- It’s hard to conduct audits because it was time-consuming and costly to keep track of SOP adherence.
- Manual processes made it next to impossible to trace the meat back to the animal.