In today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative force. Its potential to revolutionize the beverage industry hinges significantly on one critical factor: data.
AI needs data—lots and lots of it. However, the true potency of AI can best be realized when data is not just abundant but also unified within a single system. Keep scrolling to learn more.
The Importance of Data for AI
AI algorithms thrive on information. The more data they process, the better they learn and make predictions. This is because AI, particularly machine learning models, relies on identifying patterns and correlations within data—the more comprehensive the data, the more accurate and nuanced the insights.
The Challenge of Data Silos
In many beverage companies, information is often dispersed across multiple systems and departments, creating data silos. These silos hinder the flow of information and lead to fragmented data landscapes – and often fragmented teams.
Data silos leave beverage companies with:
- Incomplete insights: When data is scattered, AI models lack access to the full spectrum of information, leading to incomplete or biased insights.
- Redundancies and inconsistencies: Different systems may store duplicate or conflicting information, complicating data management and reducing reliability.
- Higher costs: Maintaining multiple systems is costly, both in terms of financial resources and operational efficiency.
- Complex data integrations: Integrating data from various sources is often a complex, time-consuming process that can delay AI initiatives.
How HenHouse Brewing Solved Its Data Issue
2018 was a boom year for HenHouse Brewing Company. The company was rapidly growing both in its physical footprint and barrels produced per year. At the time, the brewery operated from multiple department-owned spreadsheets that stored various data sets. The process was disjointed, archaic and prone to error.
Collin McDonnell, CEO and co-founder, shared how data silos affected teamwork and company culture.
“I don’t think people understand how stressful it can be to run a really complicated manufacturing business, and that’s what a brewery is,” explained Collin. “There’re a lot of opportunities for people to feel like somebody else isn’t doing their job or that this thing isn’t happening the way I want it to. All of that stress can create a bad work environment.”
Collin described how switching to a brewery ERP solution and creating a central repository of truth led to more collaboration, less blaming and less resentment.
“It’s weird to talk about an ERP as a way to get the team to get along better, but it’s super true. Everybody is much happier not having the infinite spreadsheet sprawl that made us stressed out and mad at each other.”
HenHouse now benefits from a single data set that integrates information across the entire company, helping teams be more agile and adaptable as the brewery continues to grow.
Benefits of a Unified Data System
As HenHouse has realized, centralized data strengthens teams and creates opportunity for automation and optimization. From analyzing customer insights to predicting cash flow, beverage businesses can leverage a consolidated database to enhance AI-enabled workflows.
Enhanced Accuracy and Insights
Unified data systems provide a comprehensive view of information. With access to complete datasets, AI models can identify more accurate patterns and correlations, leading to better predictions and insights. For beverage producers, a unified database can help AI systems predict seasonal demand to ensure production and output align with inventory needs.
Improved Efficiency
A single system reduces redundancies and streamlines data management across an organization. This helps cut costs and accelerate the time-to-insight. Businesses can make quicker, data-driven decisions, gaining a competitive edge in the market.
Simplified Data Governance
Managing information in one system simplifies data governance and ensures consistency, accuracy and regulatory compliance. This is particularly essential to industries that adhere to strict tax and compliance requirements, such as beverage alcohol.
Scalability and Flexibility
A unified system scales and adapts to new requirements more easily. As companies grow and data needs evolve, a centralized system can accommodate new data sources and types more seamlessly than multiple disparate systems.
Enhanced Collaboration
When data is centralized, it promotes better collaboration across departments. Different teams can access the same information, fostering a more collaborative and informed organizational culture. This is crucial for innovation, as interdisciplinary collaboration often leads to breakthrough ideas and solutions.
Data’s Continued Influence on AI
In the age of AI, data is more than just an asset; it is the lifeblood that powers intelligent systems. However, the true potential of AI can only be unlocked when data is unified within a single system.
By consolidating data, beverage companies can enhance the accuracy of their AI models, improve operational efficiency, simplify data governance, and foster innovation. As the world continues to harness the power of AI, the importance of a unified data system will only grow, becoming a cornerstone of successful AI strategies.
In a world where data is ubiquitous yet fragmented, the call to unify it into one system is not just a technical imperative but a strategic one. Embracing this approach will enable organizations to fully realize AI’s transformative potential, driving smarter decisions, better outcomes and sustained growth in an increasingly data-driven world.
ERP: Your Centralized Source of Truth
HenHouse Brewing knew it had a data problem. The company also knew its growth and profitability would be hindered if that problem wasn’t solved. The brewery turned to the intelligence of Crafted ERP Brewery Software, the only end-to-end business management solution that unifies all brewery operations.
Crafted builds on the strength Oracle NetSuite, a global leader in cloud ERP and early adopter of AI technology. ERP platforms simplify complex work processes such as data entry, analytics, financial reporting, forecasting, compliance, inventory management and customer engagement. By using machine learning and predictive analytics tools, beverage companies work faster, understand costs better, and adapt more quickly to market shifts.
If your beverage company is struggling to reign in its data circus, contact the Crafted team. We can review your pain points, help you uncover opportunities for optimization and configure a solution to fit your strategic business plan. Join HenHouse and the thousands of other beverage brands that rely on Crafted for a centralized data source. Cheers to a promising future together!
