We are currently seeing a substantial increase in the deliberate use of automation, business-process robotization and related technologies across many industries. Companies that want to keep pace with technological developments know that their market survival depends on it. Business automation offers numerous benefits that are difficult to ignore, and those benefits are universal. Every sector can find something valuable in automation; this article examines the food industry. What is automation?
First, let us define automation. Today, it is a strategic step toward digital transformation, optimization, and time and cost savings. Business Process Automation has a positive effect on processes throughout a company by digitizing them and improving their efficiency. Automation frees people from routine work and redirects
employees’ attention and responsibility to areas where creativity and an irreplaceable human approach are essential. It enables faster process implementation and easier quality control.
Which processes should be automated? Suitable processes have clear source data, are manual, repetitive and rule-based, and involve few exceptions. The potential savings are naturally another important criterion. RPA—
Robotic Process Automation—is a more specialized form of business automation. It uses software in the form of digital robots to relieve employees of monotonous tasks while eliminating errors and increasing efficiency. Robots can work 24/7 because they need no breaks, do not become tired and are more accurate and reliable than people.
Mindbox data shows that RPA can reduce process errors by as much as 95% and save 67% more time, directly improving financial results. More examples and data are available in our
reference and case-study catalogue.
Does the food industry need automation?
Let us be honest:
every industry needs automation simply to keep up with rapidly changing market conditions. It is not only about convenience, but process efficiency and quality with the fewest possible errors. The food industry supplies all of us with vegetables, meat, fish, fruit, animal- and plant-based products—in other words, everything we eat or drink. Automation is already thriving and developing rapidly in food-processing facilities because the potential applications are enormous. Faster production is invaluable. Other benefits include greater control over process quality, easier implementation, the ability to operate 24 hours a day and time savings. The enormous quantity of food we consume must remain fresh and high-quality and be produced and stored in almost sterile conditions that meet all legal and sanitary standards. Without automating at least some activities, facilities would suffer substantial losses and certainly fail to realize their full potential.
How does automation support processes in the industry?
Food-industry facilities benefit greatly from automating basic but essential production tasks: storing and transporting raw materials, semi-finished goods and products; weighing, dosing, packaging and labelling; and controlling temperature and humidity in rooms and food-storage environments. Modern solutions also include machine-vision systems. Using cameras, they verify whether a particular product is inside its packaging, whether the package is properly sealed, whether the correct number of packages is on a conveyor belt, and much more.
ERP systems (Business Management Systems) are also valuable in the food sector, where data volumes are enormous and warehouse and delivery conditions change dynamically. Digital information about every product is therefore the only sensible approach. ERP helps resolve potential issues in logistics, finance, manufacturing and other departments that together form a food-sector company, just as they do in other industries. These activities can be performed manually, but the margin for error is large and the tasks do not save time. Automating them relieves employees while ensuring excellent process quality and high production efficiency.
In which other sectors can robotization increase efficiency?
Efficiency can be improved
in every sector. There are no exceptions; only the methods used to improve processes differ. Finance,
banking, insurance, logistics, transport, IT,
commerce, healthcare and automotive companies all have tasks that can be placed in the software “hands” of an RPA robot or another automation process without constant human supervision. Our
RPA inspiration catalogue contains many real-world examples of business-process robotization. Processes suitable for optimization include data analysis and
reporting, CRM work, project management, team notifications and communication, scheduling client meetings and sending invitations, initial chatbot responses, leave management, onboarding and monitoring customer debt. Automation should be introduced wherever it can genuinely save resources and relieve employees. It is advisable to work with
expert support that can analyze the company’s needs and recommend the best solutions.
Summary—what does the future hold?
RPA robots are becoming smarter and more intuitive, while greater use of AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) enables complex tasks previously beyond these solutions to be automated. One thing is certain: we will not return to performing every activity manually with human labour. The world is moving toward automation, robotization, artificial intelligence and machine learning, requiring us to reassess our approach to work and private life, where household automation can also help. The food industry is no different and will continue to benefit from advanced technology like every other sector.
