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Select a decision tree
Decision tree 1 Do you currently have a traceability system in your business?
Do you currently have a traceability system in your business?
Does your current traceability system deliver on the benefits that are important to your business and the businesses you supply?
Does your current system meet the emerging market needs for quick and connected traceability along your supply chain?
Your current system is fit for meeting future market needs, it is not recommended to consider investing in a new system. Monitor your supply chain for the signs that your traceability system needs to be reviewed. Eg. Moving from a spreadsheet-based system to one that’s digitally connected and talks to other business’ systems in your supply chain. Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/traceability
What are the important elements of traceability for your business and the businesses you supply? The reasons why a traceability system could be valuable in your business often relate to at least one of the six key drivers of traceability (tick all boxes that apply to your business and those you supply):
Are you considering implementing a traceability system in your business in the near future?
No immediate action necessary. It is recommended to monitor your industry and the supply chain for signs that traceability is required. Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/traceability if and when you’re ready to start your traceability journey.
It is recommended that your business consider investing in a new or upgraded traceability system. These are the key drivers your business is interested in focusing on in relation to traceability:
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Complete the Quick Start Guide by visiting agriculture.vic.gov.au/traceability to understand how traceability can work in your business, prepare you with a business case and for an initial conversation with a technology provider.
Decision tree 2 What traceability system is right for your business?
0 of 5 questions complete
Q1. What are the important elements of traceability for your business and the businesses you supply?
The reasons why a traceability system could be valuable in your business often relate to at least one of the six key drivers of traceability (tick all boxes that apply to your business and those you supply):
No immediate action necessary. It is recommended to monitor your industry and the supply chain for signs that traceability is required. Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/traceability if and when you’re ready to start your traceability journey.
Q2. How can a traceability system support your business operations and processes?
A fit-for-purpose traceability system does not involve making radical changes to a business's operational processes. It should fit into and adapt to how the business operates and make financial sense.
Think about how it will:
fit with your daily operations
align with the systems your supply chain customers use
Consideration
Required
List your requirements
Q3. How can a traceability system connect with and talk to current systems within your business and along the supply chain?
Remember that your investment in traceability systems typically has a positive business impact, regardless of your business size, if you collaborate more with your suppliers and customers. To achieve this impact, you need to make sure that your systems communicate with each other.
Use the following table to list all your current business systems. In the notes/comments column you should provide as much detail as possible about the system including manufacturer, version number, etc.
Internal business systems
Current business system
Notes/comments
Eg. Xero accounting package
Needs to dovetail into invoicing/ordering
Eg. iPhone or Android
Want to be able to access the system by my phone/tablet
Supply chain and customer systems Consider the points along the supply chain: Farm > Food transformation > Distribution > Market (domestic / international) > Wholesaler > Transport and logistics > Retailer
Company
Current business systems
Notes/comments
E.g Transport company
Xero | GS1 barcodes
Must connect to GS1 compatible
E.g. Retailer
Retail database and point of sale (POS) system
Must connect to this system
E.g. Food service
Q4. What digital capabilities are available in your business and what do you need to invest in?
Consider the staff currently working in your business, their abilities and current time pressures/availability. How easy would it be for you to introduce a new process or system with your current workforce?
Digital needs
Person
Current capability
Training needs
E.g Business owner
Office 365 (good with basics)
Refresher course to understand additional functionality
E.g. QA manager
In-house designed Excel spreadsheet (proficient with Excel)
Require support to integrate the spreadsheet to a new system.
Q5. What are your data accessibility needs?
Think about:
What data do you want to be able to extract from your system?
How will you get access to the data and in what form?
Who else will require access to the data?
Consider the:
six key drivers of traceability: Food safety, Market access, Biosecurity, Provenance, product certifications and attributes, supply chain efficiency and productivity.
points along the supply chain: Farm > Food transformation > Distribution > Market (domestic / international) > Wholesaler > Transport and logistics > Retailer > Consumer
Accessibility needs
Purpose
What data
Data source
Which points along the supply chain require visibility?
E.g. Food safety
Batch numbers
Packing sheets
Farm, food transformation, retailer
E.g. Market access
Maximum residue limits (MRLs)
Spray diary
Farm, food transformation, distribution / freight forwarder and exporter
Congratulations, you have completed Step 6 of the Traceability Quick Start Guide to help understand what traceability system is right for your business. Hopefully you have a clearer idea about:
what you want your business’ traceability system to do
how it needs to fit into your current business operations
the capabilities and resources you have available.
Next steps Use these results as a starting point to discuss your system needs with a traceability service provider. Reminder:
complete the Quick Start Guide to help prepare for any technical discussions.
Step 1: Decide where to start
Step 2: Decide what to trace
Step 3: Decide how and where to collect data
Step 4: Decide where to store and how to access and use the data
Step 5: Create a business case
Step 6: Select the traceability system to suit your needs (decision trees)
Refer to the checklist for prompts about additional system requirements and considerations.