Challenges of implementing Digital Manufacturing in the Food Industry

The Digital Transformation in manufacturing has led to significant changes in processes, productivity, and workforce dynamics. Some of these changes have facilitated more effective decision-making, increased production capacity, and a reduction in environmental impact. However, the extent of digitalisation varies across industries, with the Food Industry demonstrating a less advanced level of digital integration than other sectors. This study addresses this gap in the Food Industry by focusing on the implementation of Self-Service Advanced Industrial Analytics Software (SSAIAS). SSAIAS is a process analytics software that provides user-friendly, low-code solutions for intuitive data visualisation and analysis, thereby empowering process engineers to utilise production data without requiring the input of data scientists and IT experts. The software has the potential to enhance the overall performance of manufacturing sites by identifying issues in production processes and providing a solution in a straightforward manner, without the need for third-party intervention or further analysis outside the factory. In order to facilitate the adoption of SSAIAS in the Food Industry, this study proposes a robust and structured method for selecting the optimal SSAIAS available on the market, as well as an implementation plan for its introduction in food manufacturing sites, with the aim of enabling an efficient and rapid adoption.