Interconnectivity unlocks value chain efficiencies

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August 2017 IT in Manufacturing

Companies across the globe and in many industries are waking up to the digital reality of the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is no longer just a buzzword or another passing technology fad – visionary companies are using IoT to capitalise on real-time business intelligence to control costs, increase revenue and improve customer experience.

Unlocking value in the supply chain

One of the early adopters in South Africa is the Cavalier Group, one of the biggest suppliers of red meat products to the leading retail chains. The scale of operations at Cavalier is vast. The company is the largest processor of lamb in South Africa and the biggest supplier of packed meat products for the leading retail chains. The Group encompasses a complete vertically integrated value chain that delivers lamb and beef from farm to fork. Cavalier struggled with the ‘silo’ effect of information flow in its business systems making overall management of the large scale operation – from farms to abattoirs to meat packing facilities – a real challenge.

“We were looking for a system that could connect our various silos of operation without having to replace all the existing technology we had in place, the typical ‘rip and replace approach,” says Heinrich Bahlmann, IT manager at Cavalier. “We have a wide range of operational streams that require monitoring and management, ranging from the monitoring of UPSs, cooling plants and generators, to biometric access control, cameras and turnstiles. Previously, each business unit had its own network, so to speak, but the networks did not communicate or exchange information with one another.”

According to Bahlmann, the use of an IoT platform developed by Pretoria-based company IoT.nxt made the implementation of an IoT strategy a reality.

“IoT.nxt’s Internet of Things solution offered us connectivity between all the business divisions to provide us with a real-time overview of everything,” he adds. “Also, the workflow model developed by IoT.nxt creates immediate reaction times when a sensor sends an alert about something that needs attention. We know immediately when, for instance, the cooling rooms or fridge temperatures are not correct and can reset them. In a further phase, we will know when the dam is full and the work flow system will automatically switch the water pumps off to reduce wastage.

“Food safety and being ISO 22000 compliant is of the utmost importance to us. Using the IoT platform developed by IoT.nxt has, through efficiencies it delivers, also improved our ability to manage compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.”

CEO of IoT.nxt Nico Steyn says that the company approached the project one step at a time, as the scale demanded a strategic approach: “The interconnectivity and interoperability our system offers has eradicated human error in the management of operations. Business processes are a massive risk for companies and these can now be managed better. “Our solution can be applied in any industry as our experience shows that many companies have a range of systems currently operating in silos, which IoT.nxt’s technology can bridge.”

IoT.nxt is considered a leading innovator in the Internet of Things, having solved many of the challenges still faced in IoT as outlined in a 2016 report by global consulting firm McKinsey.

For more information contact Nico Steyn, IoT.nxt, +27 (0)12 880 0114, [email protected], www.iotnxt.com

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IT in Manufacturing

Interconnectivity unlocks value chain efficiencies

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