AZPilotManager: A breakthrough in the management of R&D tests in the food industry

XABIER MURGUI, AZTI food technology expert

The food industry is in constant transformation, driven by innovation and the need to meet the growing expectations of consumers. To remain competitive, companies in the sector must innovate quickly and efficiently, and in this context, pilot plants are a key element. These facilities allow new products and processes to be tested on a small scale before industrial implementation. However, managing a pilot plant efficiently and accurately can be a challenge. This is where AZPilotManager comes into the picture.

AZPilotManager has been specifically designed to optimise the management and traceability of pilot plants in the food R&D field. Thanks to its ability to centralise and automate key processes, it allows companies to focus on what matters most: innovating, developing quality products and bringing them to market faster and safer.

Why is it essential to improve R&D management?

In my more than 16 years of experience in R&D departments of large multinationals and technology centres, I have seen first-hand the many challenges and obstacles facing the management of a pilot plant: from the proper management of stored ingredients to batch traceability and process documentation. The number of variables to control in day-to-day and medium-term management is overwhelming.

Both users and pilot plant managers often spend a disproportionate amount of time on manual tasks such as inventory control, shelf life management and collecting data from previous tests. This is a common problem, whether in large companies or those of medium and small size.

This is where AZPilotManager becomes a tool that sets the difference. This software, developed by AZTI, is designed to solve the most common challenges of pilot plant management, allowing companies to be more agile and efficient in their R&D process.

How does AZPilotManager transform pilot plant management?

1. Intelligent inventory and shelf-life management: Managing ingredients and products within a pilot plant can be a headache. With AZPilotManager, the entire process is automated, eliminating the need to physically check warehouses. The software provides a complete and up-to-date view of inventory, showing at a glance the available quantity of each ingredient and its expiration date. It also allows future production to be planned in advance, adjusting ingredient purchases according to availability and shelf life.
2. Full traceability: Traceability is a critical aspect in the food industry, especially in R&D. Knowing which ingredients and batches were used in a product, or being able to trace a prototype back to its production process, is fundamental to comply with regulations and ensure quality. AZPilotManager provides full traceability, both direct and reverse, providing immediate access to all relevant information on ingredients, batches, processes and equipment.
3. Automatic generation of production and test reports: Another major benefit of AZPilotManager is its ability to generate detailed reports automatically and in a standardised way. These reports include all kinds of information: from the ingredients used to the allergens present to the equipment and processes used. This not only streamlines administrative work, but also ensures that any member of the team can access the data whenever they need it, promoting smoother and more efficient collaboration.
4. Centralisation of information: With AZPilotManager, all R&D test information is stored in a single location within the company’s internal servers and is accessible to any authorised staff member. This means that no matter who performs the tests or when the data is accessed, all information is available at the click of a button. This centralisation fosters collaboration between teams and ensures that all team members have access to up-to-date information, eliminating errors and streamlining workflows.

A tool to accelerate the innovation process

The impact of AZPilotManager goes beyond simply optimising pilot plant management. By improving the efficiency of testing and traceability of prototypes, companies can speed up the process of developing new products and bring them to market more quickly and efficiently. This is crucial in an industry as competitive as the food industry, where the ability to adapt quickly to emerging trends and consumer demands can make the difference between success and failure.

At AZTI, we are convinced that AZPilotManager is not only an essential tool for the present, but also a solution that will continue to evolve and adapt to the future needs of R&D in the food industry. Its ability to solve everyday problems and bring efficiency to the innovation process is what makes it a truly revolutionary tool.