Industry 4.0 and digitalization in the food and beverage industry

It is referring to “intelligent networking of machines and sequences used in an industrial setting with the aid of information and communications technology“

Taking the step into a digital environment makes a lot of sense for companies on many levels. It can be used to design production sequences more efficiently and to optimally plan and make use of existing resources (systems, materials, employees, etc.) Collecting and analysing data from ongoing production allows sequences to be designed more flexibly and with the greatest possible degree of automation. They are then also less susceptible to malfunctions or stops. In short: Digital production helps uncover a wealth of optimisation potential –and this is precisely why it is one of the greatest forces adding impetus to and influencing the production of the future.

However, you do not need to look too far ahead to find such potential. As in many other industries, the food and beverage industry is already home to a large number of digital solutions along the value chain today. The only prerequisite: The willingness to embrace and accomplish such a digital transformation.

But to make working with data possible at all, one thing is quite crucial: the connectivity of the machines and lines. Connectivity means that a computer, program, device or system is generally capable of connecting to the internet, another computer, etc. This connectivity forms the basis for the exchange of data – and thus the basis for all digital solutions.

However, connectivity on its own is not enough –for only when the individual machines and lines are permanently connected is it possible for companies to benefit from the acquired data. It is therefore imperative to establish a digital ecosystem right from the outset. This refers to connected IT resources that can function as a unit, for example a variety of hardware solutions and connected software systems. Digital ecosystems are made up of suppliers, customers, trade partners, applications, third party suppliers of data services and all of the technologies related to them. Collaboration and interoperability are the key to the ecosystem’s success.

Whitepaper

At Krones, we have several digital solutions in our portfolio – and together they make up the Krones Ecosystem. My colleagues and I have drafted a compact overview of the requirements, potential, and specific use cases in this white paper: 

Download the white paper here

Video

Would you prefer to have everything explained in a series of videos? These will give you an overview of the digital solutions available from Krones: