How IoT Can Increase Operational Efficiency and Reduce Shrink With Thom Schmitt

In this episode of Telaid Tech Connect, host Beth Bergmann is joined by Thom Schmitt, VP of Sales at ComplianceMate. They explore the value of IoT for complying with food safety regulations as well as achieving greater operational efficiency and reducing shrink.  

 

IN THIS EPISODE:  

 

• [1:48] What major problems were foodservice operators facing?  
• [2:28] What are some environmental or sustainability challenges? 
• [3:25] How do all these technologies come together to help mitigate loss and support food safety and sustainability goals? 
• [5:55] What is the operational role of IoT sensors?  
• [7:25] What are some successful use cases? 
• [8:35] What are some applications in c-stores?  
• [9:51] What are some key points that we can arm operational leaders with to bring the solution to their executive teams? 
• [15:15] What does food safety tech look like in next 5 years? 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

 

• Operators need to ensure they are complying with food safety regulations, while also reducing waste.  
• We have temperature monitors that monitor temperature 24/7, automatically generating notifications if the temperature has fallen outside the specified range. The tool also digitizes any type of checklist that goes on within an operation to ensure employees are doing what they are supposed to be doing, when they are supposed to be doing it.  
• IoT is not new – the biggest things measured are temp and humidity, but IoT ecosystem offer the opportunity to expand into measurement of many more elements. 
• IoT devices also provide data over time, so when the health department comes in, the operator can present them with documentation that shows them temperatures in coolers over time.  
• ROI on this solution is very quick because operators keep thousands of dollars of product in coolers and if one breaks, all the food is lost. Coolers are mechanical devices, and they break down about once every 60 months.  
• In the future, we’ll see sensor technology measuring elements we have not yet considered as well as advancement through the development of AI and predictive analytics.  

 

LINKS MENTIONED  

 

LinkedIn – Thom Schmitt 

 

www.compliancemate.com  

 

BIO:  

Thom Schmitt serves as Vice President of Sales at ComplianceMate, bringing over 30 years of experience directing sales of SaaS Solutions as well as consumer/industrial electronics. Thom joined CM Systems, LLC in 2011 having previously worked for over 20 years at Hitachi Electronic Devices USA. Over the course of his career, Thom has forged longstanding relationships with his customers, including Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Chick-fil-A, and several other nationally known restaurant concepts. Thom has also worked with several leading retailers and grocers including Hy Vee and Roche Brothers. Thom holds a BA from the University of Iowa.