Quantum Revolution Transforming the Future of Food and Beverage

In addition, Machine Learning as a new subject is also gaining speed in its development.

Truly Full-Integration of F&B Value Chain

Over the past few decades, we have heard enough of Food Supply Chain Management, Farm to Table Theory, and Seed to Mouth Concept. With the rapid advancement of communication industry and Internet of Things, finally, we have the infrastructure to reshape the “Truly Full- Integration of F&B Value Chain”. Decades of experience with F&B processes automation has reached the tipping point of making a connection with every single point mechanically possible in F&B facilities. On top of that, with the adoption of IPv6 standard, billions and billions of devices, equipment and moving parts could have its own IP address. By the time that the F&B industry went through the third industrial revolution, many equipment suppliers had equipped their respective individual equipment with PLC ability. Industry wide adaptation of ERP (Enterprise Resources Planning) systems for business process management tried to optimize back-office functions of the F&B business. Unfortunately, a large number of ERP system providers and lack of standardization of the system implementation limited the potential growth of the F&B industry in the digital age. Luckily, the newly created Industrial 4.0 standard might have a shot to standardize them.

Real-Time Big Data

While machines are gathering their operational data, commercial computers have been busy with accumulating very useful food and beverage consumer data. Meanwhile, historical data is already at our fingertip helping us setting up any possible business models. The speed of accumulated data has been accelerated at an alarming pace. With data from both demand and supply sides combined with the seemingly endless computing power, we can construct forecasting mode, planning mode, preventative mode, and even predictive mode. We could also conduct all possible “what if” scenarios and run actual simulations with a real business case to concord with its complexity and variety of real-life situations in a virtual world environment. With the increasing computing power, big data had entered its game differentiating from its traditional assisting role into the dominant one. Having evolved from simply applying historical data to predict the future behaviour and purchasing model, we are now eager to use the real-time data. The real-time mode has been made possible by the application of Big Data and Cloud Computing Services with Cyber-Physical System technologies. Internet of Things has also been helping with filling all little gaps that are used to be difficult for F&B to fill by applying Drones and Autonomous Guided Vehicles technologies. The ground-breaking mode is the availability of computer to process real time data connecting with real consumer demands. The F&B industry found the new model of producing customized products for the individual consumer with their real-time demand. Real time production for individual consumer combing with real-time delivery ability to any desired consumption location will be the future for the F&B industry. In addition, Blockchain technology provides truly secured data channels for all relevant parties including government agencies and financial institutions. All certified parties will have the necessary access to relevant information without violating data privacy rules.

In summary, everything is ready. The gigantic leap forward is inevitable. In fact, the age of real-time, autonomous, and full-integration of F&B through quantum revolution has finally appeared in front of us.