Technology has radically transformed the entire world. The technological revolution affects each and every industry including food. It changed the patterns of consumption as well as the production. However, technology made the consistent supply of food for this growing population possible.
All the companies regardless of their size are adopting advanced technology to meet the demands of the world. Food manufacturers now think globally and act locally. The technological revolution in the food supply chain improved efficiency and reduced the cost of production. Further, the union of technology and food supply chain is done while keeping the quality of the product in mind. Also, it opened a global platform to the local retailers and producers.
Technology Manage Supply Chains
Food supply chain is a series of interlinked disciplines, which includes the entire procedure of supplying food from farm to consumer’s plate. Food supply chain management provides an understanding of the chain and aims at managing it better. They follow the structure of ‘farm to forks’. This means getting the food from farmers to the consumer’s table with efficiency.
Food retailers and manufacturers require more knowledge about the entire procedure of supply. A little negligence raises a big issue since it’s about food. Food supply chains are so complex that sometimes it becomes hard for the retailers to keep track of everything. The supply chain includes supplier evaluation, auditing, sub-contracting and importing.
When the retailers don’t have their own farms or local supply they depend on trustworthy suppliers. A supplier must pass a vendor evaluation before working with any retailer. Food safety criteria, sanitation, monitoring environment, food defence, etc fall under this evaluation. Next comes supplier auditing which includes the contracting. Then comes subcontracting. Food suppliers subcontract the work to contractors who match their sanitation and safety criteria. Then comes the importing of food.
The flow of food items is of major importance for maintaining brand protection. The food supply chain is becoming more complicated with the increase in global trade. Internet-based solutions make these supplies easier. Tracking and monitoring of the order can be done more efficiently with advanced technology.
Resilient supply chains
With the shrinkage in time and space, the food supply chain is becoming more complex. The supply chain is continuously evolving in order to keep up with modern trends of urbanization, resource scarcity, and proliferation of technology. A resilient supply chain can be of advantage in the competitive market.
Supply chain risks and vulnerabilities are connected to the construction of the chain. A resilient supply chain is an advantage for organizations. It reduces risks perceived and assumed by customers. This moves the manufacturers from simple management of risk to resilient growth of risk. This provides safety from natural disasters, accidents, and intentional disruptions as well.
Supply chain resilience is basically a smart way of dealing with risk management of global supply chains. A resilient supply chain is capable of adapting according to the problem without increasing operational costs. It has the ability of monitoring and tracking the chain in real-time. Also, collaboration with other company is beneficial for both organizations.
Automating Data Management
Technology is restructuring the consumer behavior and production every day. Data capturing and gathering methods are changing in food manufacturing. Now the focus is on machines and devices that connect the world rather than humans. Automating data management is more efficient than visual inspection and audit strategies. This makes the collection and analyzing of information more efficient which make the realization of complete benefit possible.
New ERP system managed to overcome the limitations of traditional ERP system. They help companies to have a complete visibility over the entire supply chain. The dynamic network management made this possible. Accordingly, dynamic network management is the process through which the monitoring of supply and demand related information is done. This allows a flexibility in the network and opens a better ground of control along with communication.
Smart Inventory Management
In the food supply chain, inventory management is extremely important. Food items are perishable and this increases the complexity. A powerful inventory control software makes can eradicate the risk of wastage.
Inventory management software is customizable. It is able to refine the traceability. These software help restaurants to communicate better with their suppliers as well as evaluate and schedule orders.
Process automation in the warehouse came into the scenario as well. Scanner, barcode reader, and even bots are doing all the jobs in the warehouse. This is saving manual labor without compromisation of the quality of the food. Also, the introduction of voice-based technologies is saving the labor and time.
Faster delivery without compromising quality
With the invention of new technology delivery of food has become faster. With the increased demand for organic food maintaining the quality is a new challenge. However, the online grocery shopping options made the communication and scope of customization better. Optimization of inventory made it possible.
Temperature Monitoring
The monitoring of temperature and maintaining it according to the need has changed the way food chain management was done. Further, new temperature management technology in cargo ships and trailers increased the shelf life. With this freshness, and quality of the food product is given priority.
Technology in the Field – Supply Chains
Finally, technology has taken over the fields as well. The entire food chain supply begins from the field. With the new inventions, the entire supply chain has changed and the field is no exception of it. Moreover, technological inventions and machines are saving the labor and contributing in faster production. It is helping to keep up with the demands of the changing world. Bots and machines replaced the human hands which cut down on the chances of mistakes.
Technology has blessed the entire world and saving time and labor every day. Food chains are also benefitted by new inventions. Most of the large corporations already adopted new technologies for competing in the global market. Small and medium organizations are coming up with the large ones too. The competition is growing and technology made the game even more interesting. Moreover, technology opened a new gate for the food manufacturers.
