Junction Solutions’ Enterprise Batching and Blending Application Wins InterBev 2012 Award For Best Processing Innovation

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Junction Solutions, a leading provider of vertical, market-specific on-premise and on-demand software applications and services for the food and beverage and multi-channel retail sectors, announced its Blend Optimizer enterprise application won the InterBev 2012 award for Best Processing Innovation and CLEARthru, its wireless traceability application, was recognized as a finalist for Best Technology Innovation.

“This recognition highlights the innovation and quality of Junction Solutions’ enterprise applications and the value it delivers to our food and beverage manufacturing customers.”

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award in the Food & Beverage industry,” said Nick Bova, chief operating officer of Junction Solutions. “This recognition highlights the innovation and quality of Junction Solutions’ enterprise applications and the value it delivers to our food and beverage manufacturing customers.”

The InterBev award attracted more than 170 entries from 15 countries in 30 categories and is supported by FoodBev Media which includes Beverage Innovation and Food & Beverage International magazines, as well as a global food and beverage industry website, FoodBev.com. The awards were a highlight of the InterBev trade show, held Oct. 16-18, 2012 in Las Vegas, one of the premier beverage events in North America which is supported by the American Beverage Association.

The award-winning Blend Optimizer application is a software application that is part of JunctionFB, a suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications specifically designed for food and beverage manufacturing. It is available as a cloud-based standalone solution or easily integrates into existing ERP solutions.

Blend Optimizer automates batching, blending and mixing operations and is specifically targeted for customized or propriety blended items, like sodas, beer, flavored waters, wines and dairy products such as ice cream. The solution optimizes ingredient inclusions and production schedules based on item availability, cost, and distribution (order) requirement. Using Linear Programming and other Mathematical Optimization, Blend Optimizer defines the optimal mix and blending cycle based on the availability of ingredients and contract pricing.

The application can greatly enhance profitability on products with short shelf life ingredients such as grapes for wine, barley for beer and eggs in eggnog at Christmas, where peak production volume is measured in weeks not month. The solution also is ideally suited for products that have a lot of similar mixing cycles with minimal ingredient change over, but produced under separate brands such as in sodas with regular calorie versus no calorie products.

CLEARthru is an ERP mobile application offering advanced traceability features and key customer loyalty capabilities, such as promotions, value-added product information and feedback capture to encourage repeat purchases. A beverage manufacturer, for example, can apply a unique CLEARthru coded-label to a case or individual carton of juice, and then link that product information to a specific grower, manufacturer or processing facility. Consumers then can easily trace the item, receive coupons and other promotional information, via any web or mobile-enabled device, at the point of purchase, or from the convenience of their home.

“Blend Optimizer and CLEARthru are superior technology solutions that streamline and optimize a beverage manufacturer’s operations and are designed to meet the unique business needs in the Food and Beverage industry,” Christian Hutter, senior vice president, Food & Beverage of Junction Solutions. “Specifically, Blend Optimizer enables food and beverage manufacturers to automate batching, blending and mixing operations that ultimately drive down production costs, while also maintaining the highest levels of quality. CLEARthru is the first ERP-based solution to enable manufacturers to move beyond traceability and offer a more comprehensive way to create new revenue opportunities through better target marketing and promotion, improve brand loyalty and strengthen customer engagement.”

For more information on the solutions and a demo, visit www.junctionsolutions.com/interbev.

About Junction Solutions

Junction Solutions provides vertical-specific on-premise, hosted and cloud-based software and services that enhance operational performance, reduce costs, expand delivery channels and strengthen relationships. Built in Microsoft Dynamics® AX and designed specifically for food and beverage and multi-channel retail companies, Junction Solutions' portfolio includes enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCM−demand, warehouse, yard and transportation management), production and scheduling optimization, trade promotions management, direct store delivery management, merchandising, order entry and call center management and mobile/web-enabled product sourcing and traceability. For more information, please visit www.junctionsolutions.com.

JunctionFB and CLEARthru are trademarks of Junction Solutions, Inc. All other product names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.