Digital Transformation in the Food Sector: Key Benefits and Insights

The food industry is one of the most demanding and regulated sectors in the world. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are part of this production chain face increasing challenges every day: meeting strict regulations, ensuring the traceability of each batch and reducing costs in an increasingly competitive market.

In this context, digital transformation in the food industry is not an option, but a necessity. Digitisation in the food sector enables companies to transition from manual and inefficient processes to connected systems, capable of managing production in real-time, enhancing quality, and ensuring consumer confidence.

Technologies such as MES systems, ERP, IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the way food factories produce, distribute and control their products. So-called Food Industry 4.0 opens the door to more efficient, sustainable and competitive factories.

Current challenges in the food industry

Digitisation responds to very specific problems that food companies have been facing for years.

Inefficiencies and waste

Many SMEs still rely on spreadsheets or manual records. This leads to:

• Loss of visibility in the production chain.
• Human errors in batch or expiration records.
• Unplanned stops due to a lack of machine data.
• High levels of waste, affecting profitability and sustainability.

According to UN data, around 14% of the food produced is lost before it reaches the point of sale. An MES system for the food industry can monitor and reduce these losses with efficiency indicators (OEE).

Stringent standards: IFS, BRC, ISO 22000

The food industry is regulated by international standards that guarantee food safety and quality. The most relevant are:

• IFS (International Featured Standards)
• BRC (British Retail Consortium)
• ISO 22000 on food safety management.

Complying with these standards means keeping exhaustive control of production. Without digital systems, preparing for an audit can take days or weeks. With digital food factory management, all information is available in seconds.

Benefits of an ERP/MES in food

The implementation of an ERP or MES specialised in food brings clear advantages at the operational and strategic levels.

Reducing waste with real-time data

Food Industry 4.0 is based on sensors and IoT that record production parameters in real time:

• Temperature and humidity control in warehouses.
• Alerts of machinery stops or failures.
• Automatic recording of defective batches.

With this data, it is possible to apply predictive and proactive industrial maintenance, reduce scrap and optimise costs.

Traceability of batches and raw materials

Traceability is one of the pillars of technology in the food sector. With an MES/ERP, you get:

• Digital record from raw material to finished product.
• Rapid identification of affected batches in case of recall.
• Regulatory compliance against external audits.

In addition, traceability is complemented by quality systems (QMS) that ensure that each batch meets the defined standards.

Operational efficiency throughout the chain

An ERP/MES integrated with WMS (Warehouse Management System) and APS (Advanced Production Planning) enables:

• Plan shifts and resources accurately.
• Reduce line changeover times.
• Manage inventories in real time.
• Optimise logistics routes for distribution.

Sustainability and energy savings

The new energy efficiency software in production allows monitoring consumption machine by machine and shift by shift. In this way, production can be planned in time slots with lower energy costs, reducing the environmental impact.

How to start digitisation in the food industry

Digital transformation in the food industry does not have to be a complex or costly process. At Overtel, we apply our own methodology based on AGILE, which ensures measurable results from the beginning and an implementation adapted to the reality of each SME.

Phase 1: Project planning

• Analysis and definition of goals: we identify with the client the critical areas of the food plant (wastage, energy consumption, quality, traceability) and define clear and achievable goals.
• Agile schedule: we organise the roadmap in deliverables of a maximum of two weeks, which allows a quick validation of progress and ensures an immediate time-to-value.
• Multidisciplinary work team: we designate an Overtel team with coordination, management, technical and developer profiles, in constant communication with the client through collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams.

Phase 2: Implementation

• Adaptive development: we implement the most critical modules (MES, ERP, traceability, inventories) in short and flexible cycles, continuously reviewed and validated by users.
• Transparent monitoring: we use Scrum techniques that ensure that both the client and our team have visibility of the project status at all times, ensuring the adaptation of each functionality to the processes and people.

Phase 3: Maintenance and evolution

• Immediate support (SLA): We offer a support service with average response times of 30 minutes and a maximum of 4 hours during working hours.
• Continuous updating and evolution: we accompany the client in constant improvement, with periodic updates and customised solutions that evolve with the company.

Thanks to the Overtel methodology, food SMEs can start their digitisation in a progressive and safe way: from a controlled pilot to the complete digitisation of the plant.

Digital transformation in the food industry is not just a trend, but an essential step to ensure competitiveness in a globalised market. Thanks to the integration of ERP, MES, IoT and AI, SMEs can reduce waste, ensure traceability and improve operational efficiency.

At Overtel, we make this possible by applying our AGILE methodology, which ensures measurable results from the start. In this way, food companies can advance in their digitalisation progressively, securely and with the support of a technology partner specialised in the sector.