QC Lots

QUALITY -> QC Lots

Packed product may be assigned to QC lots. These lots then have several samples taken that record both grade and pest findings. The results of those samples may impact the suitability of fruit in that lot for either specific markets or customers.

The main list shows all QC lots for the selected packing line with the latest at the top.

Tip

If you have more that one packing line you can change between them by clicking on the name of the packing line at the top of the page.

A new QC lot is automatically created whenever a new run starts labelling on a packing line. New lots may also be created automatically when the lot reaches a defined volume threshold (eg 300 TCEs). That threshold can be maintained in the packing line settings (QC lot TCEs in PACKING -> Packing lines). QC lot codes are generated automatically based on the packing line code followed by an incrementing number.

Each packing plan product can be ticked (Include in QC lot?) to indicate if it should be included in QC lots. For example this will normally be ticked for export products but not for process products (PACKING -> Plans).

Market Declarations

The market declarations for a QC lot are inherited from the run (which are inherited from the bins in) with one important distinction - all maximum pest levels requirements (MPLs) are automatically ticked as having been met. This means it is very important that the appropriate phytosanitary sampling occurs and any pest findings are actioned by unticking the appropriate MPLs against the lot. snapPacking will suggest when this should occur but ultimately it is the quality assurance personnel who are responsible for ensuring the declarations are maintained appropriately.

Adding a sample

To add a sample click the Add sample button at the top of the QC lot list. You will then be prompted to scan (or enter) a carton barcode number. This will automatically begin a new sample using the details from that carton.

General sample details

  • Weight (KGs) - carton weight.
  • # fruit in the box - pieces of fruit in the box.
  • Fruit diameter (mm) - optional, diameter of the piece of fruit.
  • QC name - person actually doing the inspection.
  • Include in lot phyto results? - untick to ignore this carton in phyto results.
  • Include in lot grade results?- untick to ignore this carton in grade results.
  • Comments - other observations.

Packaging tab

Lists the packaging components, and allows you to perform some QC checks

  • Is the carton label in good condition?
  • Is the packaging in good condition?

Defects tab

This page offers a list of defects that can be clicked (or touched) to count up your findings. Right click to decrease the count by 1.

The toolbar allows you to filter for:

  • All defects,
  • Only Pest defects,
  • Only Grade defects,
  • Only defects that have been Found in this sample,
  • Only defects that have been marked as Favourites. Favourites are saved for all users using this screen.

Quantity multiplier - select how many findings are added (or removed) whenever you click a defect. Note that the quantity can never go below zero so if you need to quickly clear out a counter simple select the -10 option.

Tip

The Search box in the toolbar offers a very quick way to filter the defect list. Just type a couple of letters to target the defects you're looking for.

Warning

It is important that you maintain the master list of defects, as the MD code tags field is used to help suggest downgrades on this screen. snapPacking will come with a "starting" set of data but your QCs need to take ownership of this data to ensure declaration downgrades are being performed correctly. You can maintain this list by selecting the Setup -> Defects drop-down menu on the QC Lots page or from the main Setup menu.

Photos tab

Allows you to store photos against this sample.

QC lot details

Results tab

The results page provides a summary of the grade and pest findings, market suitability, and any suggested actions.

Note

The Actions table indicates any actions that are required, either cartons that still need sampling or actions required as a result of findings. If downgrades are required, a message will display and an Apply downgrade(s) button will appear. This is a manual process, you need to press the button and enter a comment to downgrade the product in this lot.

Note

The Market Suitability table indicates if the resulting QC lot declarations are suitable for a market (green tick), were never suitable for a market (dash), or if this lot has been removed from a market (red X).

Once sampling is complete for the lot, press the Sign button. This will put a signature on the reports. Digital signatures can be uploaded in Setup -> Users.

Carton samples tab

This lists each of the cartons sampled against the lot and allows you to click through to edit the sample as required.

Fruit samples tab

Populated with information entered in QUALITY -> Fruit samples if used. Select Show history? to see history.

Cartons tab

This tab provides a list of all cartons in the lot, what pallet they're on (if any) and their location.

Comments tab

Record any comments for the lot.

Reports menu

The Reports menu allows you to view the grade and phytosanitary reports and a quick way to print one or more copies of each.

Other extracts are available from the REPORTS/EXTRACTS menu.

Actions menu

Edit lot/run declarations

These functions allow you to view or edit the market declarations, either for this specific lot, or for the entire run. See note above regarding inheritence of values. For more detail, see Market declarations overview.

Delete cartons not on a pallet

Deletes cartons not palletised, eg damaged labels. This "frees" up space on this lot if you require to print additional carton labels (you can then force the carton labels to this QC lot in PACKING -> Runs). NB: you only want to do this once you are happy everything is palletised because if these are real cartons, you will have issues when you attempt to palletise them.

Hold lot

Put a QC lot on hold. This puts all pallets in this lot on hold, hence blocking them from being loaded out. This QC lot will show in QUALITY -> Items on hold

Setup menu

The Setup menu from the QUALITY -> QC Lots page gives you the ability to setup: