It would be difficult to find a company without a recall plan. Ask anyone in the supply chain and their answer would be, “Of course we have a recall plan!”

Having a plan and having a good plan are two different things. However, before we go any further, let’s first acknowledge the huge amount of work across the supply chain that goes into keeping products safe for consumers and protecting brand reputations from product recalls. When something goes wrong, the industry has developed plans to manage product recall crises. 

That said, not every recall plan proves to be effective. Recalls are known for being inconvenient, time consuming, and costly. The vast majority of internal recall strategies don’t fully alleviate the pain points of a recall. Recalls are still inconvenient, time consuming, and costly even with a recall plan in place.

Our mission at Recall InfoLink is to help you manage product recalls with ease. The company was built by experts with decades of first-hand recall knowledge who are acutely aware of the pain of recalls. 

We also understand the complexity of recalls, which means that any solution we bring to the table must address the unique needs of an interconnected supply chain. Our solution – a cloud-based software that streamlines communication, closes loops, and documents everything along the way – does just that. 

Internal recall management is still the norm, and change isn’t always advantageous. The effort to implement new systems isn’t always worth the trouble. However, we’ve identified some common misconceptions that are easy to address and may make the change more appealing. 

Myth #1: Internal systems better address company needs. 

It’s true that the recall process is complex and difficult to standardize. It’s also true that navigating the vast web of the supply chain is a challenge not only unique to each company, but to each recall event depending on the product and distribution list. 

The trouble is that each company managing recall communication with their own established protocol creates additional complication and work, as communication enters the supply chain in vastly different ways from one recall to the next.

A system standardizes communication – what data is included, how it is presented, and who it goes to – connects the supply chain in a way that makes recall information actionable every time. Putting that system in the cloud further streamlines the process, allowing the information to be sent quickly up and down the chain. 

Recall InfoLink has worked with global recall experts to create a system based on GS1 standards. Recall initiators can enter their recall data once and it will be sent to every impacted party  the way they need to see it. All this can be completed in a matter of minutes, so recall information is communicated not only accurately but also quickly. 

Myth #2: Using a cloud based system isn’t secure. 

Reluctance to use a cloud-based system for sensitive recall data is common, due to concerns about the security of omni-access data storage. In a time when digitalization is quickly becoming the norm, these concerns should be taken seriously to protect company data.

It’s important to note that simply being cloud-based doesn’t present security concerns – security vulnerabilities come from the individual system. Two cloud-based systems can have extremely different security profiles. So, look for a system that can deliver a level of security that will protect your data. 

The security and privacy of recall data and customer data plays a foundational role in designing  and implementing the Recall InfoLink system from the database to the user interface. Ongoing security and privacy concerns continue to guide developments and ensure peace of mind for our clients – and all in the supply chain.  

Myth #3: Paying for a service costs more. 

The cost of paying for a recall management service is certainly more visible. With time and effort already devoted to establishing an internal system, it can seem counterproductive to replace it with a third party expense. 

On the other hand, the expense of an internal system is hidden. The cost to build, manage, maintain, and upgrade systems easily gets overlooked as part of overall IT costs that are built into a budget. On top of that, the incremental cost of paying personnel to manage recalls from decision making, initiating or responding, keeping records, and fulfilling regulatory compliance needs adds up to hours of manpower. 

This time, and therefore cost, is cut drastically when using the Recall InfoLink system. One case study showed that what took five managers two days to accomplish was reduced to one person in two hours. On average, recall events are initiated in an average of 17 minutes. Efficiency extends beyond recall execution into ongoing management of recall-related documentation and communication. In all, it cuts costs to a fraction of the internal management expense. 

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In the end, the most important thing in the recall process is getting potentially harmful product off the shelves, to protect both consumers and brands. Any system that does this quickly is a good system – a system that does it with standardized, accurate communication puts power into the hands of every impacted party, no matter where they are in the supply chain. Leveraging the tools of a system built for fast, secure, and cost-effective communication can make a good process even better, and may be the best decision for your company and your customers.