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P ro d u c e S h o w D a i l y Th u r s d a y, J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 4 4 BLUE BOOK ONLINE SERVICES EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS Blue Book Services has created several new online educational videos to help members easily navigate key features available on Blue Book Online Services (BBOS), www.producebluebook.com. "Our members live in a time-compressed world. These short, engaging videos allow users to learn the key features of BBOS whenever they like," stated Jeff Lair, Manager of Service & Sales Administration at Blue Book Services. The two- to four-minute videos cover everything from how to quickly find a company and create a marketing list of buyers or sellers to obtaining a real-time, comprehensive Blue Book Business Report complete with Equifax commercial data and a predictive credit score. "We're delighted with the response from members who have watched these videos. They're learning how to use and integrate real-time credit and marketing tools into their business operations," stat- ed Jim Carr, President and CEO of Blue Book Services. The educational videos also help BBOS users learn how to monitor key accounts, submit claims on past due receivables and promote their products and services through online and print advertising in Blue Book's quarterly journal, Blueprints. "Watching these videos will help both the first-time and experienced BBOS user easily navigate our website and learn important features," explained Lair. A free customized BBOS webinar can also be arranged for individual asso- ciates or a group of associates in a firm by contacting a customer service repre- sentative. Another exciting debut at United Fresh Produce Show is the new Trading Assistance "Claims Table" that allows Continued on Page 41 Continued on Page 41 FRESH APPROACH TO AUTOMATION (PART 2) By Chris Jones, Group Sales Manager – Controls, tna In yesterday's article, we looked at some of the key challenges in fresh produce packaging, including handling and shelf- life, and how innovations in automation can help deliver a high quality product efficiently. Today, we explore the safety and cost pressures for fresh produce. Recent food safety scandals have highlighted the very real need for proces- sors to have robust traceability systems in place to help protect both consumer safe- ty and the reputation of the business. This is where automation is invaluable. By installing control systems that can be eas- ily validated and incorporated into exist- ing processing and packaging lines, man- ufacturers can gather essential tracking information throughout the entire process. Not only does this meet regula- tory requirements, it brings added bene- fits in terms of better stock control and shelf-life planning; waste and costs are reduced, and product quality is main- tained. Data collection equipment, such as barcode scanning systems, can accu- rately verify that the correct batch is being processed by scanning the product and cross-checking it with available data. Plus, data code assurance systems ensure that the date code is printed, complete and legible, while monitoring stored products' shelf-life and 'use by' dates keeps output within safety specifications. Metal detection technology is one of the most sensitive and reliable in-line check- ing systems. Installed at key risk points in the processing line before packaging, this equipment operates effectively at AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH UNITED FRESH Lee M. Oser CEO and Editor-in-Chief Kim Forrester Paul Harris Jeff Rosano Associate Publisher Lorrie Baumann Editorial Director JoEllen Lowry Dave Bernard Jeanie Catron Associate Editors Yasmine Brown Vicky Glover Graphic Designer Mandy Feld Ruth Haltiwanger Customer Service Managers Larry Blaskey, Levi Borland Ryan Harter Lynn Hilton Justin Schmigel Account Managers Enrico Cecchi European Sales Produce Show Daily is published by Oser Communications Group ©2014. All rights reserved. Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520-721-1300/Fax: 520-721-6300 www.oser.com European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy.