Bar-code labeling system improves peanut inventory management
In fact, processors helped to initiate the project. In need of a better tracking system to manage their peanut inventory through the entire supply chain, they turned to the American Peanut Shellers Association (APSA) and the American Peanut Council (APC) to look at the problem and help develop solutions.
APSA and APC assembled a committee, co-chaired by Birdsong Peanut Company and the Golden Peanut Company. Since Georgia is the nation's largest peanut producer, Georgia Federal State Shipping Point Inspection Service, a private non-profit organization charged with inspecting and certifying Georgia's peanut crop, was also a key member of the committee.
The new system, designed by Stratix Corporation of Atlanta, Ga., integrates Label Matrix bar code labeling software from StrandWare Inc. and four Zebra bar code printers powered by a dedicated personal computer that prints bar coded tags on self-adhesive labels and perforated card stock. An IBM AS400 mainframe assigns lot numbers and handles billing.