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Sentry9000 ^TM IMS

The Sentry9000™ IMS is an automated process monitoring and documentation system that provides a new level of control and efficiency to food processors in their performance, quality and food safety control efforts.   The basic premise behind the system is to take the various production performance, quality and safety control plans developed for a particular operation – HACCP, ISO-9000, SSOP’s, GMP’s, Vendor Certification Programs, etc – and bring them to life in an automated, fully orchestrated, computer-based network system.

Sentry9000 allows the management of a food production facility (at the stroke of a key) to know exactly how many units is in inventory, on trucks, in packaging, in coolers, in ovens and in preparation rooms.   The system has the ability to provide direct readouts of every oven, cooler and storage facility.   Add to that the ability to know the exact ingredients supplied them and you achieve an unprecedented level of control.   In addition, the data that feeds these reports is generated either automatically or semi-automatically and is Real-Time.

Sentry9000 is both affordable and easy to deploy.   The system is quickly adjusted to meet the needs of any food processor.   Deployment time is 45 – 60 days and the installment is TurnKey with all the operators and supervisors being trained at installation.

Database Functions

The system uses the information from the process to build a robust database for record keeping and documentation of the various control plans. The database is a SQL-based data repository with the capabilities to tie into an operation's existing systems such as ERPs, MRP’s and “islands of information” for Inventory Management, and Accounting.

Data Collection

Key to the Sentry9000's unique advantage is its ability to document the production process via automated and semi-automated data collection. The Sentry9000 Data Repository is basically a specialized server dedicated to receiving and storing continuous data readings from the process. Data readings may be entered into the Repository in a combination of: Automated, Semi-automated, and Manual means.

Automated Data Acquisition

Data readings which return numeric or quantitative digital values - such as temperature, pH, time, etc. - may be collected automatically and continuously from control points using data acquisition (SentryDAQ) sensors. Sensors are placed along the production line at strategic control point locations according to the existing control plans. They continuously gather the needed data and send readings directly to the Sentry9000 Data Repository. SentryDAQ units are more accurate, reliable, and continuous than manual monitoring. Sentry9000 has the capability to collect data coming in from any combination of 100+ DAQ units and store the data on its multi gigabyte storage unit.

Semi-Automated Entry

There are instances that require intervention of an employee to register the data.   This intervention requires a button to be pressed such as a print button on a scale, or a toggle switch to be initiated, or a push-button to be engaged.   The data is transmitted from a piece of equipment to the Sentry9000 database where it is available for Real-Time viewing. The data is subjected to upper and lower limits while visible graphical interfaces are available with visual alarms for making corrections as needed.

Manual Entry

Inevitably, some control points require subjective evaluation such as visual inspection.   The Sentry9000 system uses an assortment of Remote Entry & Acquisition Devices (READ units). READ units are portable wireless entry devices, such as bar code scanners or Pocket-PC Handheld devices, which are used by employees on the production floor for data collection. From the production floor, the collected data is transmitted in Real-Time and transferred back to the Sentry9000 database. By combining DAQ modules with READ units, an operation will be paperless while substantially reducing labor costs

This SentryDAQ Floor Station   fabricated with stainless steel and wheels is currently being produced in a joint venture with the leading manufacturer of computerized kiosks for the fast food industry. Their experience in the harsh outdoors from Canada to Florida is being used to provide computer access to the unfriendly environments of food processing facilities.   

Violation Alert System

In the event that the incoming data readings violate a critical limit set at a certain control point, the system alerts key personnel using on-screen alerts, telephone messages, paging systems, or any combination of the above, according to the plant SOPs.    In addition, processing equipment can be managed by PLC or other adjustments.

Remote Plant Supervision in Real-time

The Sentry9000 system allows a company to centralize quality and food safety control over numerous facilities at dispersed geographical locations. Using internet or intranet

based technologies, executives and upper level managers located at headquarters can view in real-time what the current situation is at any control point, on any production line, at any location. Sentry9000 makes the concept of off-site inspections and audits a viable reality.

Reports and Graphs

A variety of reports are available at the click of a mouse: daily production reports, current CP detail, monitoring schedules, collected CP data, the ISO-9000, the Quality Control plan, Vendor Certification documents, and many others. The program seamlessly feeds into popular spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel and statistical analyses software to provide easy-to-read charts and graphs.

Plant Floor Operations

The collective knowledge of the production, quality and food safety experts who authored the various control plans is transferred to the parameters of the system. Each day's operation is 'text book' perfect; prompted and documented by Sentry9000.  

Production, food safety and quality control staff have the ability to view the status of any process in Real-Time from any available terminal. A new level of   operational control is experienced from the operator level to the plant manager’s office.

The configuration and customization process begins by building a graphical representation of the entire production process using the existing HACCP, ISO-9000, and Vendor Certification plans to place and configure Control Points into the process and resulting flow diagram

Unrivaled Support

The FoodHorizon technical staff provides the technical expertise so it is not necessary to hire additional IT staff. From our support center in Texas and with the help of our secure remote access tools we are able to perform configuration changes, implement new interfaces, train your staff and assist you as part of your operation. You will also benefit from having access to our Internet and Intranet infrastructure so that integration and interfacing with customers and vendors becomes a simple process.