Our CEO, Rob on the Distillers Journal Podcast

Your journey to digitalisation, your pace

Our latest podcast conversation takes place between Proof 8 CEO, Rob Hollands, and the Distillers Journal, where the subject of digitalisation in the spirits industry is tackled head on.

Rob talks about how to balance the introduction of new practices with the old, as well as the pace of digitalisation being different for every business.

Some big topics discussed, so settle in. Catch the full episode 

If you’re after a little summary first…let us oblige.

That’s often the first question we’re asked.

Rob kicks things off to explain that digitalisation can look very different for every business. “A lot of the companies we work with are at the small to mid-level size at the moment and they can, by their very nature, work faster and implement new technology quicker. They’re showing some of the bigger companies what benefits can be achieved. But, it’s really about going at your own pace, and going on your own journey to digitalisation.”

It takes some of these smaller, more agile, distilleries to move first for the big players to see the real impact technology like Proof 8 can have across production, maturation and bottling, to consumer engagement and digital ownership. The entire spirits supply chain.

Rob goes on, “We’re cautious and respectful of the vast history and tradition that exists around many of the distilleries we work with. This has to be protected and we’re not just throwing everything at these businesses and blinding them with all the new technology that’s available. We’re enabling them to focus more on the things they’re already really good at. We’re putting technology in place that means they’re spending less time in a spreadsheet and more time focused on things like refining the perfect recipe or holding tastings.”

The reality today is that many distilleries are still working in traditional, analogue environments.

Rob says, “Many things are still being recorded manually on paper, and in excel, which means a big investment in time. These distilleries are missing out on the many benefits digitalisation can bring.”

“When we work with a distillery, we connect everything up. You can suddenly see all your assets through one central platform. This tells me how many casks I have, the ingredients in each cask, the team that built the cask and the exact recipe used. Digitalisation gives me all this incredible data.

I can see exactly what has led to this amazing liquid. For example, I can see that by storing a cask in a certain part of the warehouse, at this particular temperature, has led to the least maturation loss or the best liquid.”

This level of insight can be transformative.

The conversation continues to discuss other topics:

How connecting production processes leads to better brand stories for the consumer

How immersive experiences can enhance the drinking

How digitalisation can prevent fraud in cask investment

The role of blockchain technology in bringing greater transparency

“We help distilleries and brands work out how best to use new technology, to enable them to focus more on the things they’re already really good at. This could mean spending less time in a spreadsheet and more time focused on things like refining the perfect recipe or holding tastings.”

Platform

Marketplace

Connected Products Coming soon

About

Team

Careers

Distillers Journal Podcast

Distillers Journal Podcast

More from Proof 8

Platform

Marketplace

Connected Products Coming soon

About

Team

Careers

Distillers Journal Podcast

More from Proof 8

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