Between slim margins, rising ingredient costs, changes in consumer demand, new regulations and supply chain challenges, food manufacturing faces pressure from all sides. But technology promises to improve efficiency, traceability and resilience. Still, the question remains, “How do we decide which investments will really deliver ROI from technology?”

Through Ultra Consultants’ decades of work with food manufacturers, we know that successful companies don’t just chase the latest tools, they ground their technology investments in strategy through measurable outcomes. As stated in a recent article from CFO, “CFOs who can forecast and predict their organization’s priorities, and then address them with technology in a sustainable way, are doing better.”

This blog will outline 6 key strategies to make smarter decisions about new technology and drive real business outcomes.

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1. Start with Strategy

Technology shouldn’t be an end in itself. Whether it’s a new ERP system, analytics tool or other software solution, it should support your business’ priorities. By taking the time upfront to identify gaps, needs and requirements, leaders can rank technology options by their impact.

For example:

Using predictive analytics to reduce raw material waste.
Deploying IoT sensors to monitor equipment and minimize downtime.
Modernizing ERP or MES systems to improve scheduling and boost productivity.

This approach can help separate “nice to have” functionality from the essentials for moving your business objectives forward.

2. Build for Scalability

One of the biggest challenges in selecting technology is ending up with standalone solutions that don’t scale. While they might deliver quick value, they could complicate operations if they can’t integrate with other systems.

Think about these questions when evaluating technology systems:

Will it integrate smoothly with ERP, MES, and supply chain systems?
Can it grow with the business without needing a full replacement?
Has it been proven in food manufacturing environments?

Keeping scalability in mind maximizes value and helps avoid costly replacement later.

3. Require Clear ROI Models

When going through vendor demonstrations, it’s easy to be swayed by vague ROI claims. To cut through the noise, push for detailed use cases that:

Tie outcomes to specific financial outcomes (e.g., reduced scrap, lower overtime, energy savings).
Distinguish between hard cost savings and softer benefits like agility or compliance.
Provide realistic payback periods.

Requesting this reference information helps identify tech that moves the needle for the bottom line and long-term strategy.

4. Balance Quick Wins with Long-Term Value

With a need for quick wins, projects with fast payback can look very attractive. But focusing only on quick wins is only half the solution. The quick wins allow companies to address immediate problems, while investing in larger systems builds a foundation for long-term solutions.

Many companies are adopting a “two-speed” approach:

- Quick wins—initiatives like predictive maintenance or automated quality checks that deliver fast results.
- Foundational investments—such as ERP modernization or integrated supply chain systems that take longer but build lasting value.

Just 27% of executives surveyed describe their tech as fully aligned to business objectives.

Journal of Accountancy

5. Plan for Adoption

Even the best technology won’t bring real business benefits if employees don’t adopt it. To maximize ROI, leading companies ensure training, communication and change management plans are in place from the start. The following items can help teams embrace changes:

- Digital work instructions
- Hands-on training
- Clear performance metrics

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6. Embrace Continuous Improvement

Getting the most return from technology investments requires a commitment to continuous improvement. The defined processes and customizations that delivered value at go-live might not meet today’s needs. To stay aligned with evolving business goals, establish clear performance metrics from the start, monitor outcomes through real-time dashboards, and regularly reassess technology performance.

Moving Forward

Technology can deliver measurable ROI for food manufacturers, but only when investments are linked to strategy, continuously evaluated, and supported by the workforce. Leaders who put business goals at the heart of technology selection and adoption are better able to avoid costly missteps and software that doesn’t deliver real results.

Ultra Consultants guides manufacturers through technology evaluation, helping them clarify priorities, define ROI, and ensure technology choices support growth now and in the future. To put our expertise to work for you, request your free discovery call today.