There's serious money at stake if weights and measures are off, even by a little. During a previous implementation, we found that one of our customers was averaging four ounces of giveaway per case of product. On one of their top-selling items, they were giving away $2 per box and were producing thousands of overweight cases each day. This discovery was possible through a combination of our FSQM software and properly calibrated weighing systems that run off our scale interface software. But how can you trust that this data is accurate?

In order to prove the accuracy of our systems, CAT Squared submitted our scale system controller software for third-party evaluation and certification by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), a professional nonprofit association of state and local weights and measures officials, federal agencies, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. NCWM has developed national weights and measures standards since 1905.

Our scale system controller is a software-based system for determining net weight based on gross weight values and includes real-time data collection from the plant floor, real-time reporting for production, inventory, and traceability. The emphasis of the evaluation was on the performance of the controller, weight display information, printed information, and interaction with the indicating element. The results of the evaluation confirmed the device complies with applicable requirements.

"This third-party certification assures our customers that the data they receive through our system is accurate," said Vernon Smith, CEO of CAT Squared. "Our customers depend on our data to make important decisions for their companies. We want them to know they can trust our data and our industry knowledge to help them make good decisions to ensure the future of their organizations."

Kathy Barbeire

Written by Kathy Barbeire

Throughout my career, I’ve helped organizations think of creative ways to (1) harness new technology to maximize effectiveness, (2) collect relevant data to measure and improve performance, and (3) use data to tell compelling stories to customers and stakeholders. In 2015, I became CAT Squared’s marketing manager. In this role, I monitor industry trends to (1) ensure our products are flexible enough to adapt to new industry standards and (2) prepare our customers for new technologies with the potential to disrupt the industry. I’ve represented CAT Squared as a participant in a blockchain learning group that has grown out of Blockchain for Arkansas (BC4AR), an initiative launched by Governor Asa Hutchinson to promote capacity building around blockchain technology. As my own knowledge and capacity grow, I develop new content to educate our supply chain partners and help them prepare for the transition ahead. Prior to launching my career, I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in professional and technical writing and a double minor in sociology and information technology. I later returned to UALR and completed the MBA program. Before joining CAT Squared, I applied my passion for data-driven storytelling to help nonprofits define their goals, track program metrics, and engage donors and community stakeholders in their missions to fight hunger, poverty, and homelessness, first as a program manager for the Our House Homeless Shelter in Little Rock, and then at The Salvation Army Central Arkansas Area Command.