Automation > Software | ProFood World

Pod Pack now operates 14 packaging lines producing half a dozen formats with contract packaging customers including all the big national brands, local regional brands, hospitals, schools, foodservice, and anywhere else you can imagine.

Coffee Pod Co-Packer Realizes Perks of ERP System

Between limiting downtime, speeding up throughput, and a host of soon-to-be realized improvements via ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software data harvesting, Pod Pack is making the most of its new ERP system.

ACC Announces Smart Start Program

Microsoft's Power Platform is designed to democratize advanced analytics, bringing the technology to companies of all sizes.

Understanding Analytics Software for Industry

Beckhoff Twin Cat Cloud Engineering Software

Software Provides Foundation for IoT-based Automation Strategies

Ithaca Beer Co. upgraded to a semi-automated brewing process using the FactoryTalk Craft Brew platform from Rockwell Automation to produce 25,000 barrels of beer a year. Photo courtesy of Rockwell Automation.

Ithaca Beer Co. upgrades to a semi-automated brewing process

With the craft beer industry becoming more mature, Deschutes’ process optimization efforts should help create better margins. Image courtesy of Deschutes Brewery.

Deschutes Brewery’s new ERP creates one source of truth

Besides the manufacturing/production software options, Deschutes currently uses the food safety compliance, warehouse/inventory, purchasing and reporting analytics within the ERP platform.

System integrator ECS Solutions created a procedural and equipment view for JTM Food Group’s operators, based on ISA-88 standards. Image courtesy of ESC Solutions.

New plant cooks up manufacturing flexibility with automation

JTM Food Group’s greenfield plant in Ohio features advanced automation to optimize its batch processing applications and meet changing consumer demands.

Jeffrey Barach explains how blockchain may be a more thorough, accurate and timely solution for traceability in the food supply chain.

Blockchain for food: A solution for supply chain transparency issues?

The shared, immutable ledger database is in the spotlight as a potential tool to improve transparency and better facilitate recalls.

Polytron's live, in-booth case study demonstrated real-world OEE improvement at a bottling plant.

Line simulation IDs OEE improvement opportunity

Polytron used its platform at ProFood Tech to demonstrate a case in which OEE metrics were improved in a real-word bottling application.

Sealed Air’s SEE Smart Service digital portfolio features a dashboard like this one.

Sealed Air: Smart analysis of packaging equipment

Sealed Air’s SEE Smart Service digital portfolio relies on the Device Control Link cloud-enabled technology that monitors, manages, reports, and analyzes data from interconnected sources on packaging equipment.

Profinet, based on Ethernet technologies, integrates existing fieldbus systems. Source: PI North America

New technologies extend the life of legacy networks

Neither Ethernet nor fieldbus have all the answers for industrial applications. Suppliers and industry groups are working on ways forward that take into consideration the needs—and limitations—of the present.

New PET line for water runs at 20,000 bph.

Turnkey line for PET

Tousnina Sarl, a water bottler in Algeria, recently installed a turnkey line for PET bottles that runs at 20,000/hr.

iFix 6.0 features enhanced security and alarm capabilities, as well as new HMI/SCADA application development capabilities.

New HMI/SCADA release highlights GE Digital’s new path

The release of iFix 6.0 shows GE Digital’s continued support for and development of its existing technologies as the company reorganizes around new technology groupings designed for cross-industry use.

Matt Harrison, head of cultivation at TILT Holdings, checks the grow room, which holds more than 300 plants.

An automated approach to emerging markets

Technology suppliers are delivering cost-effective and customizable control products for sub-markets like craft beer and cannabis that need consistent quality and repeatable processes, as well as business model scalability.

Joyce Fassl, Editor-in-Chief, explains how optimizing data use can solve many of the industry's biggest problems.

Actionable data collection remains as the holy grail

Strategic decision-making depends on a single, reliable infrastructure that unifies data silos and a single source of operational insights.

Continental Mills' implementation of Logility Voyager Solutions allows the company to create a more accurate forecast with more accurate results. This also helps streamline the production planning process.

Continental Mills improves demand planning

Supply chain software technology helps to maximize inventory investments, reduce forecast error and free up production capacity.

With more access to data, supply chain data analytics are moving from being reactive to proactive, creating advanced analytics that are forward-looking.

Tech advances help manage data proliferation

Avoid random acts of digital. Innovations in data acquisition, analysis and traceability help food and beverage manufacturers improve demand planning, logistics and customer satisfaction.

Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) was able to quickly respond when the avian flu was detected thanks to a robust, scalable technology platform that provided real-time visibility, insight and traceability of stock.

Chicken farmers improve traceability

Chicken Farmers of Ontario improve value chain collaboration and supply chain automation with a robust and scalable technology platform.

Almond.io is adding EVRYTHNG mass serialization technology to its FACT cans for better transparency and use of its mini-cryptocurrency. Photo courtesy of EVRYTHNG.

Almond.io embraces mass serialization

Employing mass serialization technology provides supply chain traceability and a deeper connection to consumers.

e-nizing laptop

Schenck Process daughter company launches new platform

App allows visualizing status of all machines

Feihe Dairy and Seimens PLM Software will work together to digitalize Feihe's production process.

Feihe Dairy selects Siemens PLM as digitalization technology partner

In a move aimed at modernizing its operations, the Chinese dairy producer will implement the Siemens digital platform to achieve operational efficiency.

Can lessons from pharma track & trace be applied to the food supply chain?

Members of the pharma supply chain and solution vendors have learned a lot about what it will take to meet the DSCSA track and trace requirements. Can those lessons be applied to tracking and tracing in the supply chains of other products, such as food?

Experts share their insights on the trajectories and effects of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and how the intersection of data and technology is changing the industry.

Exclusive: Experts weigh in on the impact of data

In an exclusive roundtable discussion with Automation World, Georgia Tech engineering, science and research experts shared their insights on the trajectories and effects of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and how the intersection of data and technology is changing the industry.

After four years, the company QAD is ready to introduce their new and improved enterprise resource planning system that's ready to keep up with the future.

Easy, adaptable ERP is a reality

Four years ago, QAD embarked on a bold multi-year mission to change the rules—and the reputation—of ERP. Now, the company says, that platform is ready and awaiting what the future holds.

The MES platform increases the data contextualization with the enterprise with granular level detail of product code, equipment, order, reason and other parameters.

Food producer increases throughput with modernization pilot

A large sauces and dips maker embarks on a pilot project at a 10-year-old plant to connect multiple business units and begin a journey to optimize supply chain, processing and packaging costs.

The milling process features multiple pieces of equipment located on three stories to clean the rice kernels for packaging.

Rice mill upgrades operations with modern SCADA

California Family Foods responded to the ever-changing food and beverage landscape by adding a new SCADA platform from Inductive Automation as part of a comprehensive plant upgrade at its northern California processing facility.

Mennel Milling Company’s acquisition of a General Mills’ bakery and packaging plant in 2016 proved to be a great opportunity to modernize enterprise software systems.

Mennel Milling embraces enterprise integration

Mennel Milling Company recently expanded its business model by acquiring a legacy bakery and packaging plant in 2016. The acquisition provided an excellent opportunity to modernize the plant and update enterprise resource planning software for better enterprise integration.