Page 27 - Baking Europe Journal - Winter 2022

INDUSTRY RESEARCH
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 27

save money by creating a more
detailed plan of their future revenue
which will allow them to better deploy
potentially scarce personnel
resources for the all important
customer care at the counter, a model
that is adaptable whatever the size of
bakery.

The proof is in the pudding –
conclusion
In light of global concerns over
sustainability, there has never been a
better time to innovate. The bakery
sector is characterised by traditional
communication channels, which
consumers value highly, but they
would also value a bakery where
resources are being saved or used
more efficiently. This not only reflects
the ideals of the consumer but also
those of a baker who could enjoy
the baker invests in the products such example is the start-up, increased sales and reduced costs,
made. foodforecast. The company has thanks the latest technology.
developed an artificial intelligence Ultimately, this should lead to a
Source: A survey was carried out on a that creates an accurate sales forecast win-win situation with improved
business to business, social media for a bakery so that it only produces sustainability benefitting those on
platform involving hundreds of CEOs products that are actually in demand. both sides of the counter and
from small and medium sized The backbone of the device is a increased competitiveness of the
enterprises to establish views on self-learning algorithm which is fed bakery in the long term.
resolving the dilemma outlined with data and “trained” – i.e. loaded
above. Feedback from the study with historical sales figures of the
revealed that losses suffered through bakery branch as well as external data
returns in this way were largely due to such as public holidays, weather and
inefficiencies in forecasting and that vacations. By recognising patterns on
artificial intelligence (AI) solutions its own, the algorithm can then draw
could, if implemented, help to solve conclusions that are presented in the
this issue with a view to both form of a sales forecast.
reducing financial loss and improving
sustainability. Software solutions such as this can
significantly reduce bakeries' return
Artificial intelligence is the key to rates by up to 30% on average. The
intelligent production remarkable properties of this software
Intelligent software systems can help solution are that it actively saves Contact details
to better coordinate and plan ahead resources and is not merely another Claudia Päffgen
for production and importantly, way to avoid waste or deal with Marketing and Business
significantly reduce the rate of surplus baked goods, but also Development Manager
returns. The need for innovation prevents the resources themselves Foodforecast
drives change and so it is perhaps from being wasted, thereby,
unsurprising that many young promising sustainability on all levels. E: Claudia.paeffgen@
companies and start-ups in particular, In times of rising raw material and foodforecast.com
have taken up this challenge. One energy costs, bakeries can actively

BAKINGEUROPE Winter 2022/2023
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