Automation
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Automated indoor farms are becoming popular near urban centers

Automated Agriculture

Future of food: People, planet and economy

To keep up with the growing world population, agriculture will adopt automation

Jan Beránek

November 20, 2021

Innovation in agriculture is one of the hottest topics due to the industry facing a number of challenges

Smithfield hog production is seeing greater efficiency with modern technologies in its feed mills.

Control Systems

Modern SCADA system improves feed mill operations at Smithfield operations in Utah

The mill produces 12,000 tons of animal feed per week, feeding 1.7 million pigs a year

Wayne Labs

November 17, 2021

A new control system for a formerly manually operated plant makes a huge difference in output, efficiency and product quality

Connecting warehouse data with production and business systems

Making the connection provides up-to-the-minute data on scheduling, stock-outs, ingredient substitutions, customer trends and recalls

Wayne Labs

November 8, 2021

Often one role of a shop floor or MES is to act as a relay or connection point between the ERP and WMS. In case of a non-automated shop floor where there is no MES, there is a good chance that the ERP system connects with an independent WMS or has some built-in WMS functionality.

Microsoft Active Directory Networks can be compromised if not configured carefully

Network Intrusion Issues

Does Microsoft Active Directory Services open the door to BlackMatter and other ransomware?

Convenient as they are, Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services can let hackers get a foothold into systems if not managed properly

Wayne Labs

November 7, 2021

Microsoft Active Network Directory Services makes it easy for system admins to make changes to fluid networks--but if not managed properly, leaves an open door for malicious actors.

SoftAI is a bundled hardware and software solution

Soft-touch robotics system becomes human-like with new AI software

Gentle grippers can pick up food items on a belt, but to do it well, there must be a fast-thinking “brain” behind their moves

Wayne Labs

November 5, 2021

Robotics systems lately have developed a soft touch to pick up delicate foods without damaging them, and there have been a lot of developments in the grippers themselves to handle these fragile products. However, these grippers can’t do it alone.

New cyber insurance agencies can help shield you from financial ruin caused by hack attacks, but they can also be an important member of a processor’s cybersecurity team

Cybersecurity Protection

Cyber insurance: What it can do and what it can’t

New cyber insurance agencies can help shield you from financial ruin, but they can also be an important member of a processor’s cybersecurity team

Wayne Labs

October 30, 2021

Recently, a relatively new source of cybersecurity help comes from cyber insurance providers. Cyber insurance can help save a company from financial ruin, besides helping with a defense plan

To produce top-notch olive oil today and market it around the world requires a level of automation that spans the entire supply chain

Digital Transformation

Digital transformation offers food manufacturers a giant reset button

Manufacturing execution systems support revenue growth while promoting resilience and sustainability in times of disruption and market uncertainty

Keith Chambers

October 22, 2021

Digital operations management technologies provide consumer packaged goods manufacturers the ability to calibrate their response to fluctuating market and supply conditions.

BlackMatter is a new ransomware that is sold to would-be hackers to infect critical systems

Ransomware Attacks

BlackMatter ransomware targets food/agriculture sector

While Black Matter, a new ransomware group, promised not to target critical infrastructure, those purchasing the RaaS don’t necessarily follow that rule

Wayne Labs

October 19, 2021

This new ransomware as a service provides tools for criminals to attack companies with big pockets, including food and beverage.

Checking the viscosity of chocolate and entering it into the SPC system

Legacy software

Five signs it’s time to upgrade your legacy SPC system

Not only can a new system provide you with more actionable data, it'll be more secure

Jason Chester

October 14, 2021

Rather than being fat, dumb and happy with that old, dated SPC system, instead become agile, intelligent and ready to pursue the competition with the added intelligence you get from a modern statistical process control system.

Connecting process control, CIP, HVAC and energy management

In many facilities, these systems are manual and standalone, with no coordination—other than human

Wayne Labs

October 14, 2021

In many facilities, these systems are manual and standalone, with no coordination—other than human

On Demand Kelley Rodriguez, Editor in Chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, will be joined in this 60-minute webinar by industry experts to help unpack the latest research.

On Demand Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.