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Singapore’s Food Services Industry Digital Plan

The Food Services Industry Digital Plan (IDP) was implemented as part of strategical initiatives by the government to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt more digital technologies and quicken digital transformation.  

 

Food Services Industry IDP Digital Roadmap

All IDPs contain a Digital Roadmap which comes with a stage-by-stage explanation to guide SMEs along their journey to learn more about digital solutions and enhance themselves:

Stage 1: Getting the Digital Economy Ready

The first stage is designed for SMEs in the Food Services industry to make use of ready-to-go digital solutions in order to automate repetitive, manual tasks and optimize operations while enhancing a customer’s experience.

Such solutions include:

• Digital/online food ordering
• Digital payment
• Automated reservation
• e-loyalty/customer relationship management
• Wireless self-collection

Stage 2: Growing in the Digital Economy

The second stage provides for more advanced digital solutions in order to scale up the business and integrate digital technologies for better management of the entire business value chain. This stage will also make use of data analytics for further optimization and to identify new opportunities for improvement.

Examples of such digital solutions include:

• B2B e-Marketplace/e-Procurement
• IoT-enabled central kitchen management
• Data analystics platform

Stage 3: Leaping Ahead

The third stage allows for Food Services SMEs to digitalise further by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) in business operations.

• Examples of these technologies are:
• Sensing / video analytics for restaurant observation
• AI-powered predictive ordering system Powered
• Immersive training using augmented or virtual reality

 

Digital Roadmap for Skills and Training

With increased digitalisation in the Food Services Industry, the requirements for digital skills will also increase. Companies will need to prepare their employees by upskilling them through appropriate digital training.

The IDPs outline two types of digital training courses for basic and advanced users respectively:

1. Basic Courses
   These are required for all users as they cover important foundations to improve digital literacy and awareness. Examples of such courses for the Food Services Industry include:
   • Introduction to Analytics
   • Embracing the Digital Workplace
   • Introduction to Cooking Robots
2. Advanced Courses
   These are recommended for users who want to attain high proficiency in digital skills. Examples of such courses for the Food Services Industry include:
   • Automation & Digitalisation in Food Manufacturing
   • Robotic Process Automation
   • Blockchain Networks

 

Additional Support

SMEs are also provided with additional help through basic advisory or specialist consultancy services through SME Centres and SME Digital Tech Hubs. Resources available include self-assessment checklists for digital readiness, consultation to provide digital advisory or project management information, and more.