Miller Magazine Issue: 147 March 2022

69 COVER STORY MILLER / march 2022 ogy that transformed “dumb” machinery into machines capable of imposing increasingly complex production parameters on the food production process. Next came what many have described as the fourth industrial revo- lution. In recent years there has been an unprecedented growth in computer processing power allied to vast data storage capacities and lightening inter connectivity. The speed at which this all started to happen has revolution- ized the way industries across the world operate and the food industry was no exception. By using this new processing power to analyze the vast amounts of digital data being generated by the sensors and then connect- ing all this data from different sources, the digital revo- lution was set to transform the food industry. The chal- lenge for food businesses, an intrinsically conservative sector that is not always as technologically developed as some other industries, is how to keep up. BÜHLER AND THE DIGITALIZATION OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY With a global reach stretching over 140 countries and over 160 years of experience in the food processing in- dustry, Bühler is in a position to support. Bühler’s lon- gevity means it has supported clients through the past two industrial revolutions. First through electrification and then, in the mid-20C, the combination of electrifica- tion and information technology resulting in automation. Strong client relationships born out of generations of supplying machinery to the food industry means Bühler has earned trust and is in a position to lead change and support clients through this fourth industrial revolution. Data analysis The real step change came when Bühler teamed up with the software giant Microsoft. The collaboration led to the launch of Bühler Insights, a digital platform capa- ble of analyzing the food production data being gener- ated through sensors, machines and automation solu- tions. Using sophisticated algorithms and the Internet of Things, the platform provides clients with real time analytics in the format most useful to them to maximize production quality and yield. Of course, Bühler is not alone in developing digi- tal solutions for the food industry. “Designing digital solutions are not the strategic differentiator, delivering customer value derived from data science is,” explains Bühler’s Digital Officer Stuart Bashford. “We can maximize that value by combining our data science capability with the in-house domain knowledge and process expertise - this is where we can really de-