How a Global Food & Beverage Organization Digitized Emergency Action Plans with Guidebook

Emergency preparedness is a non-negotiable priority for food and beverage companies, especially those operating across multiple sites. Outdated, paper-based Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) present serious challenges, from delayed updates to inefficient crisis response. When a global food and beverage company sought to modernize its EAPs, they partnered with BSI and Guidebook to create a mobile-first solution.  The result? A digital platform that provided instant access to emergency response information across 400+ sites and boosted emergency preparedness confidence from 20% to 90%. This case study explores how they achieved these results and highlights the key features that made it possible. Here’s how the solution unfolded step-by-step.

The Challenge: Modernizing Outdated Emergency Action Plans

When a global food and beverage company needed to modernize its Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), they turned to BSI, a global leader in business standards, for help. The organization’s existing paper-based binders were inefficient, outdated, and time-consuming to update.

The Key Challenges:

• Scalability: Implementing a solution across 400+ North American facilities.
• Accessibility: Ensuring all employees and stakeholders could access critical information.
• Reliability: Providing offline access to vital emergency response data.

BSI recognized that a mobile solution would be the best way to overcome these hurdles and deliver real-time, accessible information to the client’s workforce.

The Solution: Use Guidebook to Build a Mobile App for Emergency Action Plans

BSI partnered with Guidebook to create a secure, scalable, and user-friendly mobile app. This custom solution consolidated emergency response information into a single platform, equipping nearly 5,000 stakeholders with seamless access to up-to-date plans and workflows. Guidebook’s platform provided the tools necessary for effective implementation, including:

• Custom branding for app store listings.
• Collaborative tools for building and managing content.
• Integration capabilities, including Single Sign-On (SSO) and Human Resources Information System (HRIS) support.
• The flexibility to replicate guides across hundreds of sites.

Key Features in the Custom Mobile App

1. Document LibrariesComprehensive storage for site-specific Emergency Action Plans, enabling employees to quickly access vital documents during a crisis.
2. Quick Incident WorkflowsSimplified workflows for reporting and managing significant incidents, ensuring rapid response and effective communication.
3. Offline AccessCritical information remains accessible even without an internet connection, addressing reliability concerns during emergencies.

Results: Confidence in Emergency Preparedness Skyrockets

The mobile app’s implementation brought immediate benefits:

• Confidence in emergency preparedness increased from 20% to 90%.
• Paper usage is eliminated, saving costs and promoting sustainability.
• 400+ sites and 5,000 stakeholders seamlessly integrated into a unified system.
• Real-time updates enabled instant communication across facilities.

→ Read the Full Case Study

Why This Food & Beverage Organization Chose Guidebook

Guidebook’s expertise in mobile technology, coupled with its scalable platform, aligned perfectly with the client’s goals:

• Customization: Tailored to meet specific branding and content requirements.
• Scalability: Adaptable for hundreds of sites across North America.
• Speed-to-Deploy: The app was implemented within 12–24 weeks.
• Support: Backed by expert guidance from both Guidebook and BSI throughout the process.

“Oftentimes, in an emergency, a mobile phone is the first and only thing a person will reach for.” – Jacob Zollinger, National Practice Director, Information Solutions, BSI

How to Create a Custom Mobile App for Your Organization

Choosing the right mobile app platform is essential for success. Look for features like:

• Scalability and flexibility to meet organizational needs.
• Offline access for critical situations.
• Real-time updates to keep information current.
• Easy-to-use tools for customization and management.

Speak to our sales team today to discuss how Guidebook can transform your Emergency Action Plans.