Adding sensors and digital intelligence to physical objects was introduced as early as the 1980s. But it wasn’t until 1999 that Proctor & Gamble computer scientist, Kevin Ashton, coined the term “Internet of Things” (IoT). Since then, a multitude of innovative IoT technologies have been adopted by businesses to track products across the supply chain. During the early years, however, most of these technologies were...
With the emergence of new business and customer segments in today’s rapidly changing markets, fragmentation is inevitable, given the proliferation of each segment’s own distinct needs and preferences. In other words, now more than ever, a multitude of customers are choosing among an abundance of products and services provided by an increasing number of vendors.Market fragmentation in itself is not necessarily...
Successful food retailing is a complex operation that starts long before product arrives at the store. For instance, a pivotal point in this process is the transfer of product from transport vehicles to a grocer’s warehouse. Why? Because temperature-sensitive foods deteriorate quickly if not stored promptly in refrigerated areas upon delivery.Of course, the flow of food across the supply chain encompasses a...
In the United States alone, the FDA estimates that 30%–40% of the food supply is wasted. That’s approximately 35 million tons annually. Or on a more human scale, that’s 219 pounds of waste per person each year.With record-high inflation rates increasing the potential for an economic recession, today’s consumers simply can’t afford to discard one-third of the food they purchase. Considering that global food prices...
The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of the food service industry faster than anyone had ever predicted. Adoption of IoT technologies, such as remote sensors, analytical software, and omnichannel delivery platforms have been immensely helpful to alleviate the ongoing customer behavior changes, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. That’s all great news. But there’s still more we...
While the nation transitions into months of cooler weather we only need to look back to the previous summer to acknowledge that our world continues to get much warmer with July 2021 being the hottest month ever recorded. On-the-job illness related to the lack of facility heat index monitoring is now as threatening as the COVID-19 pandemic to the health and safety of food service workers.
