Why Proprietary Hardware Holds the Industry Back

Proprietary hardware has long been the status quo in foodservice technology. Companies tout their all-in-one solutions, locking operators into their ecosystems and making it difficult to adapt or scale. While this approach might have seemed viable in the past, it’s time to rethink whether proprietary systems are truly serving the industry’s needs - or holding it back.

As someone who’s spent years working closely with operators and understanding the unique challenges they face, I believe proprietary hardware isn’t just inefficient - it’s limiting innovation and creating unnecessary headaches for operators. Here’s why it’s time for a change and what a better future could look like.

The Problems With Proprietary Hardware

Proprietary hardware promises simplicity and seamless integration, but the reality is often far more complicated. Here are the key issues:

• Vendor Lock-In: Once you buy into a proprietary system, you’re often locked into that vendor’s ecosystem. Need to add new sensors or upgrade your system? You’re forced to pay inflated prices or buy hardware that doesn’t fully meet your needs.
• Hidden Costs: From expensive maintenance fees to the cost of replacing hardware when it breaks, proprietary systems can quickly eat into your budget.
• Lack of Flexibility: Proprietary hardware is rarely adaptable. If your operations evolve, you might find your system can’t keep up.
• Stifled Innovation: Proprietary systems often lag behind open, hardware-agnostic solutions. Why? Because innovation is driven by competition and collaboration - not exclusivity.
• White Labeling: Companies often pay to brand someone else’s sensors with their logo, creating the appearance of a unified system. While this might offer superficial branding consistency, it frequently locks operators into older hardware generations and inflated costs, adding no real operational value.

A Better Way: Hardware-Agnostic Solutions

Instead of tying operators to rigid ecosystems, hardware-agnostic solutions provide flexibility and adaptability. Here’s why they’re better:

• Access to the Best Tools: With a hardware-agnostic platform, you’re free to choose the best off-the-shelf sensors for your needs, whether it’s monitoring temperature, leaks, energy consumption, or even trash fill levels.
• Lower Costs: By using widely available sensors, operators avoid inflated proprietary pricing.
• Seamless Integration: Hardware-agnostic systems prioritize connecting to your existing tools, making data flow where you need it without extra logins or complexity.
• Future-Proofing: As technology evolves, a hardware-agnostic approach allows operators to adopt new innovations without overhauling their entire system.

Real-World Impact

Let’s look at how open systems have transformed operations in foodservice:

• Energy Savings: By integrating with off-the-shelf energy sensors, a QSR chain identified inefficient equipment, saving $25,000 annually.
• Proactive Maintenance: Leak sensors integrated into a catering operation’s system alerted them to a potential water issue, preventing $15,000 in damages.
• Operational Insights: LoRaWAN temperature sensors connected to a grocery warehouse’s BI tools helped save $60,000 in inventory by catching cooling issues early.

These are just a few examples of what’s possible when operators aren’t shackled by proprietary systems.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

The shift away from proprietary hardware isn’t just about saving money or improving efficiency - it’s about driving the foodservice industry forward. Open systems foster:

• Collaboration: When vendors work together instead of competing for exclusivity, everyone benefits.
• Innovation: Hardware-agnostic platforms encourage continuous improvement by leveraging the best tools available.
• Operator Empowerment: By putting the power back in operators’ hands, we create an industry where technology serves people - not the other way around.

A Call to Action

It’s time to rethink how we approach technology in foodservice. Proprietary systems might promise simplicity, but they often deliver frustration and limitations. By embracing hardware-agnostic solutions, we can build a smarter, more flexible future where operators are empowered to make the best decisions for their business.

At ConnectedFresh, this philosophy drives everything we do. We’re committed to providing solutions that adapt to your needs, not the other way around. Let’s start a conversation about how we can help you break free from proprietary systems and unlock your operation’s full potential.

Sincerely,
Jake Simon
Co-founder & CEO, ConnectedFresh