FoodConnect | Connecting production data in the food industry

Region:

Flanders

Financed by

Building scalable data architectures for smarter, more connected food production

Food companies generate increasing amounts of production data, but connecting and making effective use of this data remains a challenge. FoodConnect helps Flemish food companies address this challenge and lay stronger foundations for their digital transformation. The project provides knowledge, methods and demonstrations to improve data connectivity and support future applications in analytics, reporting and AI.

Target group

FoodConnect primarily targets Flemish food SMEs at an early stage of their digital transformation that want to improve data connectivity across their production operations.

The project is particularly relevant for:

Food companies looking to improve connectivity between machines, sensors and software
Production and operations managers seeking better access to production data
Companies preparing for data-driven applications, analytics or AI
Non-IT decision-makers involved in production digitalisation

Context

Many food companies still rely on direct, point-to-point connections between machines and software systems. As more equipment, sensors and applications are added, these connections can become increasingly complex, creating what is often referred to as a “spaghetti architecture”.

Integrating a new sensor or system may require multiple existing connections to be reconfigured and tested. This increases integration costs and makes the production environment harder to scale and maintain. Moving towards a more integrated data architecture requires an understanding of available technologies, existing systems and business priorities. However, many food SMEs lack the expertise and guidance to define this architecture and determine where to start.

Objectives & results

FoodConnect aims to equip food companies with the knowledge and methods needed to improve data connectivity and prepare their production environment for future digital applications.

The project aims to:

Map current data connectivity practices and challenges across Flemish food companies
Make knowledge of data architectures and connectivity technologies accessible to non-IT professionals
Develop a pratical methodology for creating a business case and a roadmap towards an open, scalable data architecture
Demonstrate and validate this methodology at Food Pilot and two food companies, facing sector-specific challenges

Key results:

E-learning modules explaining data-connectivity concepts to non-IT decision-makers and users
A methodology and templates for developing a data-connectivity business case and roadmap
A demonstrator showcasing a connected, scalable data architecture at Food Pilot
A reference report covering lessons learned, required competences and integration partners
Articles, podcasts and knowledge-sharing activities on data connectivity and productivity

Approach

FoodConnect combines knowledge building, methodology development, and industrial validation. The partners work across four complementary areas.

Understand connectivity needs
The project maps current practices and challenges through interviews with leading companies and more than ten Flemish food SMEs. This provides insight into the barriers companies face when connecting production data.
Make data architectures easier to understand
The partners explain technologies and concepts such as MQTT, Unified Namespace and data platforms in accessible terms for non-IT professionals.
Build a roadmap for data connectivity
FoodConnect develops a four-step methodology to help companies define their objectives, assess their current situation, compare potential solutions and evaluate their expected impact.
Solution cards and six key performance indicators (KPIs) support decision-making and help companies build a realistic business case.
Test the methodology in real production environments
The methodology is applied at Food Pilot and two food companies, focusing on challenges such as energy efficiency, food loss and quality control.

The insights gained will feed into a reference report and be shared through e-learning modules, workshops, webinars, articles, podcasts and knowledge-exchange sessions.

Want to improve data connectivity in your production environment?

Food companies can actively contribute to FoodConnect by joining the project steering group, testing the methodology and e-learning modules, or providing feedback on the Food Pilot demonstrator. They can also benefit from the project's findings by participating in workshops, webinars and knowledge-exchange sessions.

Contact our expert Christophe Michiels