The story of Keendoo,
PLM dedicated to the food industry.

Keendoo PLM allows you to centralize all your food product data (recipes, allergens, nutritional values, labeling, packaging, regulatory compliance, logistics units) in a single tool and share it across your Marketing, R&D, Quality, and Production teams… Unlike a general-purpose PLM, it natively integrates the specific requirements of the food industry (Ciqual/USDA databases, INCO labeling, automatic nutritional calculations) and is available in just 3 days with our turnkey Quick Start PLM solution.

→ For a complete definition of PLM, see our article “PLM in the Food Industry: Definition and Benefits.”

At Keendoo, PLM and ERP work hand in hand: PLM structures and ensures the reliability of product data (recipes, formulations, compliance), which ERP then uses to manage purchasing, production, and invoicing. Keendoo’s PLM is natively integrated with VIF ERP—a leading solution in the food industry—as well as other ERP systems (SAP, etc.) via its REST APIs, ensuring seamless data transfer without the need for re-entry.

→ For details on the respective roles of PLM and ERP, see our dedicated article.

PLM and GS1 data pools ( such as Equadis, AGENA 3000, TX2, etc.) have very distinct but complementary uses.

Main differences between a PLM and a GS1 data pool :

Software	PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)	GS1 Data Pool
Main objective	Manage product design and life cycle (development, formulation, packaging, etc.)	Standardize and distribute product information to distributors
Main users	R&D, Quality, Marketing, Regulatory	Sales departments, Category Managers, Distributors
Managed data	Recipes, ingredients, allergens, nutritional values, packaging, regulatory compliance, technical data sheets, visuals, packshots...	Product references, barcodes (GTIN/EAN), dimensions, weights, prices, marketing information
Information flow	Internal to the company (product development) Connector to data pools	External (transmission to distributors via the GS1 GDSN network)
Evolutions and updates	Change tracking and controlled product validation throughout the product lifecycle	Distribution of validated and updated data to business partners
Example of use	A food manufacturer develops a new recipe and manages its regulatory compliance in PLM	Once the recipe and packaging have been finalized, product information is sent to distributors via a GS1 data pool.

 

🤝 Complementarity between PLM and GS1 data pool :

1️⃣ PLM allows you to develop and structure the product internally.
2️⃣ Once the product is finalized and validated , the essential information (EAN, dimensions, composition, allergens, nutritional values, etc.) is exported from the PLM to the GS1 data pool .
3️⃣ The GS1 data pool then distributes this information to distributors, marketplaces and logistics partners.

🚀 Concrete example:
A yogurt manufacturer creates a new recipe in its PLM , entering the ingredients, nutritional values, allergens, etc. Once the product is ready to be marketed, it sends its data to Equadis or AGENA 3000 , which transmits it to supermarkets for shelf placement and online sales.

💡 To sum up:

• Visit PLM managesinnovation and creation.
• The GS1 data pool is used for and distribution of information information to distributors.

Set up a PLM software software in a food company may seem complex, but if you choose a plm specifically designed for the food industryand break it down into simple, logical stepsit becomes clearer.

1️⃣ Clearly defining your company's needs

Before choosing software, you need to understand why you need it.

• 📢 Marketing Marketing: improve product information management (ingredients, packaging, nutritional claims, etc.), distribute up-to-date data to data pools and e-commerce sites.
• 🥼 R&D : formulate faster, manage testing, ensure regulatory compliance.
• ✅ Quality Quality: guarantee traceability of modifications (history), manage allergens and avoid mislabeling, facilitate audits.

💡 Objective: Identify where current difficulties lie and how PLM can help better manage product data.

2️⃣ Identify priorities

PLM is a corporate project, and it's best to start with the most start with the most important.

• Which department needs it most? R&D to accelerate product development? Marketing to secure projects? Quality to manage compliance?
• What are your objectives? Reduce time-to-market? Reduce labeling errors? Save time managing product data sheets?
• What return on investment (ROI)? Fewer errors = fewer product recalls = savings.

💡 Tip : Take a first concrete case where PLM will quickly bring added value. added value.

3️⃣ Define scope

Trying to manage everything at once is often discouraging, so you need to define where to start :

• 🌱 Which product range? A specific type of product (e.g. yoghurts, ready meals...).
• 🏢 Which entity? A specific subsidiary, a particular production site...

💡 Better to start smalltest, then expand.

4️⃣ Define project schedule

A realistic realistic schedulewith several phases (lots):

• 📌 Needs analysis workshops
• 📌 Integration and configuration
• 📌 Testing and team training
• 📌 Progressive deployment

💡 Don't underestimate the training time essential for successful adoption.

5️⃣ Building a project team

A good project needs the right people :
👨‍💻 IT project manager : in charge of technical aspects and integration.
👩‍🔬 Business project manager Leads key-users and liaises with IT project managers to adapt PLM to their needs.
👥 Key-users Those who will test and use PLM on a daily basis.

💡 A successful PLM project project project is a collaborative !

6️⃣ PLM implementation and integration

Keendoo Team Keendoo team works with theproject team to install, configure and adapt PLM to the company's needs.

• Software setup
• Connection with other systems (ERP, GS1 data pool, etc.)

💡 This phase requires regular exchanges with the editor and investment by the project team to avoid unpleasant surprises.

7️⃣ Key-user tests and hands-on experience

Before using PLM on a large scale, you need to test !

• Check that data is well organized
• Test product data entry and use
• Adjust if necessary before official launch

💡 Key-users play a key role key role They are the ones who will train their colleagues.

8️⃣ Production start-up

This is the official launch PLM becomes the reference tool for product management.

• Monitoring team adoption
• Technical support in case of problems
• Progressive evolution (addition of other product ranges, other sites...)

💡 A PLM project never completely stops: it evolves with the company's needs.

 

✅ In short: a progressive, structured approach

🔹 Define your needs and priorities
🔹 Start with a reduced scope (a range, a subsidiary)
🔹 Involve the right people
🔹 Test before the big launch
🔹 Train teams to ensure success

With this methodology, the implementation of Keendoo PLM in food and beverage companies is simple and effective ! 🚀