Innovative IoT Solutions Transforming the Beverage Industry
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept that’s often considered in a consumer context, with the focus falling on the likes of smart fridges that can order groceries automatically, or intelligent heating systems that can manage HVAC controls remotely. However, it’s arguably in an industrial setting where IoT tech really shines, and manufacturing is already knee-deep in adopting whatever combination of hardware and software is required to oversee production lines, minimizing the need for manual intervention and upping efficiency immensely.
The beverage industry exemplifies this especially well, so here’s an overview of a few solutions that are making waves here, and why they’re proving so transformative.
All-Encompassing Brewery Management Software
Brewing beer is an ancient process, yet one that’s also been thoroughly modernized via a combination of IoT devices and holistic brewery management software, like the solution for brewers provided by Ollie.
Within this $821 billion global market, margins for missteps are very slim, and there are various areas in which brewery management solutions take the lead, including:
- Inventory Management: Having a keen eye on inventory levels used to be a labor-intensive slog, but the latest software take efficiency up a notch by eliminating the need for spreadsheets and manual checks, replacing it with real time inventory reporting, notifications for when particular thresholds are crossed, and on-the-fly syncing with accounting software for seamless sales integration and audit trail creation.
- Production: Once production is underway, software can minutely monitor the brewing process with smart sensors to track temperature and ensure that quality is consistent with each and every batch that’s made. This limits waste, improves the experience for customers once they crack into their favorite brew, and also means forecasting raw material needs further down the line is a breeze.
- Sales & Distribution: Keeping retail partners happy, analyzing past sales data, and pinpointing fresh marketing opportunities is all part and parcel of what IoT-backed brewery management solutions can do. So it really is as all-encompassing of an experience as we suggested up top.
Specific Advantages of IoT-Enabled Sensors
The deployment of smart sensors throughout the brewing process effectively transforms traditional practices into cutting-edge operations. We’ve touched on their implementation briefly, but let’s look closer at how these tiny technological guardians are making a significant impact:
- Temperature Regulation: Temperature plays a crucial role in brewing. IoT-enabled sensors offer precise control and monitoring, maintaining optimal conditions that are critical for flavor and quality consistency. This matters because different beer styles are contingent upon different fermentation temperatures – so in the case of ale it’s between 68 to 72 fahrenheit, while for lager it’s 45 to 55 fahrenheit. Stray away from the right range, and the consequences are catastrophic.
- Quality Assurance: Beyond temperature, smart sensors monitor other vital parameters such as pH levels, carbonation, and even turbidity. Each element is meticulously tracked to safeguard the beverage’s integrity from tank to table.
- Efficient Use of Resources: These sensors contribute significantly to optimal resource management by minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption. They detect inefficiencies or deviations in real-time, allowing for immediate corrective actions that keep operations lean and green. Given that as much as 20% of all manufacturing spending is wasted, this change can pay for itself in no time flat.
- Predictive Maintenance: Perhaps one of the less obvious but equally valuable functions is forecasting equipment malfunctions before they occur. Predictive analytics powered by sensor data can alert maintenance teams to potential issues, preventing costly downtime and maintaining continuous production flow.
The Bottom Line
While we’ve only touched on the brewing portion of the beverage industry and its relationship with IoT solutions, you can be certain that this tech is being used across the board, in everything from soft drinks to high end spirit production. That’s good news for beverage brands, and better news for customers who want to enjoy their drinks equally each time they pop the cork, twist the lid, or crack the tab.
