You're having a new building designed? That's great news! But before you get all caught up in the physical aspects of the building, let me remind you not to lose sight of IT in the process. You don't want to be yet another person who discovers upon completion that the layout doesn't match the automation needs.
For example, I remember an incident at a meat producer where the automation plans changed during the design process. Namely, in the packing department, they wanted to use robots to relieve the employees. Unfortunately, this had not been communicated to the architect. The result? A month after completion, walls had to be moved because the packing robot did not fit....
Although automation plays an ever-increasing part in the food industry, I notice that IT does not always get the attention it deserves. And that's a shame, because automation not only helps to improve your business processes, but also saves space and provides better insight into your inventory needs. With that insight, you can reduce your inventory levels, which in turn reduces the amount of space you need to store raw materials. Space you can use for production!
But there's more. By using advanced technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics and cloud computing, you can shape your business even more efficiently. Consider IoT sensors to monitor temperature and humidity in your production environment. This allows you to guarantee the quality of your products and detect potential problems early. That's another reason why IT and automation deserve our attention.
In short, I am convinced that the design of your new premises stands or falls with IT. By embracing IT during the design process, you create the foundations for a building that perfectly meets your business needs and is ready for the challenges of the future.
