There are so many aspects to consider during the site selection process that it is important for companies to keep their employees and visitors in mind.
Increasing production speed while keeping rejects low and quality consistent—and maintaining food safety—is the goal of every food and beverage processor. Today, many food processors look toward automation to provide the solutions needed to attain the necessary throughput to be competitive.
If you have old equipment, there is hope that you can keep what works and modernize it by pulling worthwhile information from it with instrumentation and controls.
Other industries have long been ahead of food and beverage in areas such as automation, but processors are drawing on that knowledge to modernize their own operations.
Technology companies are employing AI/ML techniques to deter nefarious actors, but users still need to exercise common sense in defending their industrial control systems.
SunOpta, which produces organic, non-GMO snacks and plant-based beverages, worked with Dennis Group to expand a production facility to meet demand for oat milk.
Once a hacker connects via RDP to any computing system, unless operators take immediate action, the hacker can use this connection to log in at any time in the future, extort money, install ransomware on the computer, and/or sell the connection login/password and other data on the dark web, making an unprotected system available to anyone who wants to purchase the information.
Processors are exploring ways to integrate AI, robotics and automation throughout the process—from the time ingredients come in the door until the time finished product is loaded on a truck.