Definitions

AAFCO Compare - The AAFCO Pet Food Formula Comparison feature compares the nutrient profile of a chosen product to one of four standard AAFCO nutrient profiles, and indicates any violation of the standard values.

Batch Formulation - A procedure for the formulation of a large number of products performed without user intervention. (See "Worklists")

Browse/Edit - An outstanding file maintenance facility that enables inspection and/or modification of the database in list form - view and edit ingredient, product, and location (plant) data using a scrolling table format.

Compare Formulas - A feature that allows the user to create a report that lists the ingredient and nutrient profiles of multiple products at the same plant, or a single product at multiple plants.

Cost Ranges – Sometimes included in the “Shadow Prices” category, ranging provides the range within which an ingredient cost may vary without a resulting change in the least cost formula.

Data Exchange - Flexible import and export utility for easy transfer of data within the Concept5 system and to external applications.

Derivative Formula - Refers to a formula that has been derived from another with the assumption that consistent changes are applied. This functionality avoids maintenance of separate specifications for formulas that are only slightly different from others by defining base/derivative product relationships. One base product may be formulated and the generation of additional formulas specifying additions and/or deletion, such as medications or other ingredients is done automatically.

Dry Matter Base - The dry matter amount to use in the computation of the nutrient analysis when adjusting for changes in the dry matter content of a formula.

Equivalent Ingredient - A mechanism that allows a product to be saved as an ingredient and tied to that product when future changes occur.

FBU - A standard "formula bank update" file providing exportation of products to third party vendors.

Fixed Formula - A manually maintained formula that is not subject to least cost formulation. Ingredient amounts are modified manually and nutrient values are calculated but the product has no stored nutrient min and/or max specifications.

ForCom - Formula Combine allows the merging of any specified combination of products and/or ingredients to a single product suitable for re-formulation.

Formulation Worklists - Shows all the products requested in the batch formulation run. Shows the formulation status, old formulation cost based on current ingredient costs, new formula cost, product tonnage, and any cost savings.

Full Screen Formulation - Used for "Experimental / Buffered" formulation, the effects of any change in specification may be immediately viewed and evaluated using this feature. All changes are temporary until saved.

Ingredient Overlays - This allows one ingredient code number to have multiple nutrient profiles, each profile specific to a designated plant.

IRP - Ingredient Requirements Projection is used to anticipate an adequate supply of ingredients to support projected manufacturing tonnages.

Intermediate Feeds - (Premix) formulas to be used as an ingredient in other formulas, therefore, it is both a formula and an ingredient.

Least Cost per Calorie - used for parametric studies to determine the energy concentration of a particular formula which will minimize the cost per calorie consumed.

Max Change - Controls "ingredient swings" by restricting the maximum (percent or pounds) that any ingredient may change from the amount used in the current production formula to avoid creating an unsuitable least cost formula for reasons such as color, taste and digestibility.

MOP - Multiple Product Optimization ("Multiblend", "Multimix") is a system that optimally allocates raw materials across multiple formulas simultaneously and considers limited availability and forced-use ingredients across multiple products and production quantities.

Nutrient Class - A grouping of individual nutrient definitions. These groupings are used to specify which nutrients appear on certain reports and screens.

Nutrient Equation System - Create a nutrient value based on a mathematical relationship with one or more defined ingredient nutrient values. Equations may be global (applying to all ingredients), or ingredient specific (applying to one ingredient only). A "pop-up" window allows viewing and editing of equations.

Parametric - A powerful tool for recalculation based on all data being constant except for one specific parameter - ingredient costs, any formula ingredient or nutrient restriction, or an ingredient nutrient value. Used for evaluating the effects of specification and price changes before the changes occur.

Production Minimum - A utility used to avoid inclusion of ingredients that are below practical levels in least cost formulas.

SFA - Supplement Formulation Assistant, a module that provides full screen formulation of total rations and the automatic creation of a supplement product for in-house pricing and manufacturing control.

Shadow Cost - A term used in the Linear Programming community referring to calculated values that indicate increased savings opportunities. These values show the change in the total cost as a result of the change in the restriction amount. CFC provides three variations of shadow costs: Ingredient Restriction Costs; Ingredient Cost Ranges and Nutrient Restriction costs.

Strings - A user-defined grouping of products or ingredients. These groups can be recalled for various reports and evaluations.

Substitute Ingredient Cost Sets - The user may create an unlimited number of Substitute Ingredient Cost Sets, each containing both Owning and Market costs. These costs may then be used for various functions within the system. The cost sets may contain complete replacements for all ingredient costs or may be used to identify only exceptions to any particular plant ingredient costs.