Top Tech Innovations for Food and Beverage Manufacturers in 2026
If you’ve been putting off upgrades to your food and beverage ERP, now is the perfect time to meet your technology goals. Industry leaders say real-time data and artificial intelligence (AI) in food manufacturing are becoming the norm, making Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP integration more urgent than ever.
Technology Predictions for Food Manufacturing in 2026
Trend 1: AI and Cloud-Based Systems
According to Gartner’s 2025 manufacturing forecasts, digital maturity is the defining factor separating high-performing businesses from the rest. Major F&B technology trends include:
- 70% of manufacturers are expected to adopt digital twins and AI-based forecasting tools to improve operational efficiency.
- Over 50% of supply chain decisions will be supported by AI and real-time data.
- Manufacturers will shift from siloed applications to cloud-first, integrated platforms, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP systems, to enhance collaboration and decision-making.
Trend 2: AI in the Supply Chain
AI has endless uses, including improving speed and accuracy in food distribution. Startup Choco has launched the AI tool Autopilot, which automatically reviews incoming orders for accuracy, then processes them or flags them for review. Workers no longer need to enter orders manually, freeing them up to do other tasks.
Trend 3: AI for Quality Control and Food Safety
Global companies have turned to AI for food inspection and quality assurance, optimizing brand value while protecting public safety:
- Nestlé has implemented an AI-powered visual inspection system for product consistency.
- Coca-Cola’s partnership with AI startup AgNext improves quality checks for beverages.
- Danone uses Sight Machine for real-time monitoring in dairy plants.
- Unilever acquired Carver Korea to advance AI in cosmetic food production.
AI’s learning capabilities mean it can perform increasingly complex tasks, from contamination detection and compliance monitoring to risk and shelf-life predictions.
Copilot and Supply Chain Visibility: F&B’s Competitive Edge
One thing is clear: Full supply-chain visibility is not just an optional improvement; it’s a competitive necessity. Dynamics 365 Business Central with YAVEON ProBatch provides the ultimate ERP supply chain visibility for small- to medium-sized businesses, with AI that can analyze vast amounts of data from procurement, production, and logistics. This data can then be used to:
- Predict demand shifts based on seasonal trends, promotions, or unexpected events
- Identify supply chain risks early (e.g., weather disruptions, supplier delays)
- Optimize inventory to minimize waste and avoid shortages of perishable goods
Your team can access these features and benefits through a simple natural language search. When a user types in a request, Microsoft Copilot—which is embedded into Business Central—provides actionable insights through predictive analytics and machine learning. With Microsoft collaborative tools (e.g., Teams, Power BI, SharePoint), these insights can be shared and acted upon in real time across departments.
The Future of Smart Factories
As manufacturing businesses move towards “smart factories” with new and innovative hardware and machinery, they need data collection and computing capabilities to match. Microsoft 365 Business Central integration reduces downtime and continuously improves processes with:
- IoT-Driven Data Collection. Sensors on production lines feed data into ERP systems in real time, enabling predictive maintenance and automatic quality control, meeting food safety standards with ease.
- Edge and Cloud Computing. ERPs connect both edge devices and cloud infrastructure, ensuring manufacturers can act on data instantly, regardless of where it’s generated.
- Integrated Dashboards. Microsoft Power BI gives executives a live, visual overview of plant performance, inventory, compliance, and customer satisfaction metrics.
Where to Prioritize Tech Investments in 2026
Your options for new technologies can be overwhelming—and not all of them are worth the sticker price. To get the most bang for your buck, F&B manufacturers should follow this simple strategy:
1. Modernize Your ERP Foundation
Smart manufacturers understand the evolving role of ERP systems and configure their platforms to act as data hubs, or central nervous systems that allow for real-time decision-making. Ensure your ERP is cloud-based and AI-ready, like Microsoft Dynamics 365, to enable real-time collaboration and analytics.
2. Invest in AI and Automation
Target AI tools that improve forecasting, scheduling, and customer demand planning. Automating manual workflows, such as digital recipe management or regulatory compliance tracking, should also be a priority. In addition to having Copilot embedded into Dynamics 365 ERP, you can also integrate other Copilot tools, such as Copilot Studio, to further enhance your workflows and guide your tech investments.
3. Align Tech With Business Goals
Focus on areas where technology can directly impact growth, such as reducing waste, increasing uptime, or enhancing product traceability. Think about who is capturing the data in your system and what they are doing with it. By understanding and analyzing data, you can empower users across your system to work smarter and more efficiently.
4. Build a Resilient Supply Chain
Use AI-powered ERP tools to simulate supply chain scenarios, assess risk exposure, and diversify supplier networks. Shared cloud workspaces via Microsoft 365 also improve supplier collaboration and transparency.
5. Use AI to Drive User Engagement
Copilot gives team members access to natural language search abilities so they can find the information they need quickly and easily. In a recent AI study by Microsoft, 70% of users said generative AI helped them be more productive, and 68% said it improved the quality of their work.
Let Stoneridge Software Transform Your Daily Operations
A strategic, integrated approach to technology planning is key for food and beverage manufacturers rising to meet modern industry challenges. Talk to the Stoneridge experts today to see how we can help.
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