The honest version of "does it integrate with my software." These are the systems this industry actually runs on, and what each one means for a build.
ERPCore operations
NetSuite, Aptean, Datacor or similar with lot control, recipe management and costing built for process manufacturing.
Food safety recordsCompliance
HACCP plans, CCP monitoring logs, sanitation records and temperature checks, which are the evidence an audit is decided on.
Audit and certificationCertification
SQF, BRC or similar schemes with annual audits, plus customer-specific requirements that go beyond them.
Lot traceabilityRecords
Genealogy from raw material through production to shipment, and the thing a mock recall exercise tests without warning.
Retail portals and EDICustomers
Retailer systems for orders, forecasts, compliance and chargebacks, each with its own rules and its own penalties.
Quality and labTesting
Specifications, test results and certificates of analysis, released against every lot.
Supplier documentationInputs
Supplier approvals, certificates of analysis and allergen statements for every ingredient, on renewal cycles.
Warehouse and cold chainLogistics
Storage, picking by lot and shipment with temperature requirements attached.