Kioti - Comprehensive Kitchen Management System

Client
UpNorth Group
Year
Work
IoT SCADA Solution
Kioti Kitchen Management System Dashboard
KIOTI: IoT Kitchen Management System - OpenKit

Project Summary

Kioti is a fully integrated Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) solution for managing, monitoring and reporting on critical assets in commercial kitchens. By tracking a wide range of data points, from environmental conditions to resource consumption, Kioti aimed to solve the need for a streamlined, comprehensive tool that allowed operators to control their units with just a few taps on a mobile app or tablet screen.

The development of Kioti was a collaborative and iterative process. It showcased our ability to understand client requirements, design user-friendly interfaces, develop robust and scalable systems, and provide ongoing support. This innovative project demonstrates our ambition to make technology serve even the most hands-on businesses in practical, user-friendly ways.

Client Overview

UpNorth Group logo

The UpNorth Group consists of several leading companies covering a diverse range of industry sectors. The Group companies provide pioneering solutions to both national and international markets, from Data Centres and M&E Building Services to Foodservice Equipment & Engineering Solutions.

Challenges

UpNorth Group required a large-scale comprehensive solution to monitor and control dark kitchens (restaurant kitchens selling meals on a delivery-only basis) on a national scale. The solution needed to be accessible through a mobile app, as well as on larger tablets stationed at each dark kitchen unit.

Deliverables

The project had clear objectives to address the challenges:

1. Granular Control

Designated roles and permissions providing granular management to share control and optimise workflow

2. Comprehensive Monitoring

Monitoring and controlling 50 data points including temperature, air quality, HACCP temperature, faults, and utility consumption

3. Proactive Alerts

Producing alerts for equipment and _system faults, and when temperature values fall outside of thresholds

4. Operator Empowerment

Allowing alerts to be dismissed by the operator

5. Insightful Reporting

Producing weekly and monthly usage reports logging faults and their dismissals

Our Approach

Strategy and Planning

Before any development started, OpenKit and UpNorth Group discussed the requirements for Kioti in full detail. We explored different technology stacks and their various advantages, and determined how each technology would scale with their needs. This comprehensive consultation ensured that we understood Kioti's requirements and could select the most suitable stack for their goals.

Design

Kioti described their UI and UX requirements as a 'Tesla Tablet Style Interface'. OpenKit used its design expertise to develop and iterate upon several UI variations, until UpNorth was satisfied. We designed the Tesla Tablet Style Interface to be intuitive and easy to navigate, with a highly energy-efficient dark theme which added a modern, sleek aesthetic to the interface.

The dashboard was designed to offer a comprehensive overview of key kitchen metrics. It provided users with essential information such as equipment health status, HACCP temperatures, air quality, and system status. The dashboard also featured alerts for critical issues, allowing kitchen staff to quickly identify and address potential problems.

KIOTI 1.0
KIOTI 1.0
KIOTI 1.1
KIOTI 1.1

Version 1.1: Elevating the User Experience

In version 1.1, we focused on refining the user interface to create a more modern, sleek, and intuitive experience. The tile sizing and color scheme were optimised to improve readability and visual appeal, while the mobile view was redesigned to ensure a seamless experience across devices.

  • Enhanced Data Presentation: The left-hand navigation panel now includes live environmental data with instantaneous updates, providing users with real-time insights into room temperature and outside air temperature.
  • Streamlined Fault Management: The Equipment tile has been renamed to 'Faults' to better reflect its purpose and streamline fault management.
  • Integrated Energy Consumption: Version 1.1 introduces a new Gas Energy Consumption tile, displaying both consumption to date in kWh and instantaneous consumption in kW.
  • Enhanced Reporting Capabilities: Version 1.1 includes new and improved reporting features, including a comprehensive monthly report that combines HACCP, utility, and alerts data.

Development

We created an app that was scalable for hundreds of dark kitchens across the UK, each monitored on thousands of data points every hour. We built the Kioti backend system from the ground up, taking advantage of modern serverless technologies to ensure minimum long-term system maintenance costs.

Features of KIOTI

1. A comprehensive IOT Dashboard
1. A comprehensive IOT Dashboard
1. A comprehensive IOT Dashboard

1. A comprehensive IOT Dashboard

The Kioti Kitchen Management System's dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of your kitchen's operational status, allowing you to monitor and control critical aspects of your kitchen environment. The intuitive interface displays real-time data from various components, ensuring that you have the information you need to make informed decisions and maintain optimal kitchen performance.

Key features of the dashboard include:

- Live Environmental Data: Monitor room temperature and outside air temperature with instantaneous updates.

- Equipment Health Status: Quickly identify the operational status of all connected equipment.

- HACCP Temperature Compliance: Ensure food safety by monitoring the compliance status of all temperature sensors.

- Air Quality Monitoring: Keep track of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels in the kitchen.

- System Status: Monitor the status of critical _system components.

- Ventilation Control: Adjust ventilation settings to optimise energy efficiency.

- Lighting Control: Remotely control kitchen lights.

- Open Alerts Summary: Quickly view the latest open alerts and alarms.

2. Alerts

2. Alerts

The Alerts screen serves as a centralised log of all alert events, including equipment faults, temperature alerts, and _system faults. This comprehensive history allows you to review and analyse any critical events that have occurred in your kitchen, helping you identify patterns, optimise processes, and prevent future issues.

Key features of the Alerts section include:

- Chronological Alert History: View a complete, time-stamped record of all alert events.

- Detailed Alert Information: Access additional information for each alert.

- Alert Grouping: Quickly identify related alerts by selecting an alert to view it alongside other alerts from the same device.

3. Reports
3. Reports

3. Reports

The Kioti Kitchen Management System generates comprehensive reports that provide valuable insights into your kitchen's performance, energy consumption, and compliance with food safety regulations.

Key features of the Reports section include:

- Daily HACCP Temperature Reports: Automatically receive daily reports via email.

- Monthly Utility Reports: Receive detailed reports outlining your kitchen's utility usage.

- Customisable Date Range: Easily locate specific reports by filtering the list based on a selected timeframe.

- PDF Download: Download any report in PDF format for easy sharing, printing, or archiving.

4. Equipment
4. Equipment

4. Equipment

The Equipment screen provides a centralised view of all the equipment connected to the _system, allowing you to monitor their status, track fault history, and manage equipment-related information.

Key features of the Equipment section include:

- Real-time Equipment Status: View the current operational status of each piece of equipment.

- Detailed Equipment History: Access the full history of each appliance.

- Customisable Equipment Names: Assign user-friendly names to each piece of equipment.

- Fault Lifecycle Tracking: Track the complete lifecycle of each fault, from occurrence to resolution.

Key Successes

Responsive Frontend

The Kioti Kitchen Management System boasts a highly responsive frontend that adapts seamlessly to various devices and screen sizes. Whether accessed through a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone, the user interface remains intuitive and easy to navigate.

Highly Reliable and Fault-Tolerant

Reliability and fault tolerance are at the core of the Kioti Kitchen Management System. The system employs robust error handling and redundancy measures to ensure uninterrupted operation, even in the face of hardware or network issues. Real-time monitoring and proactive alerts enable kitchen staff to quickly identify and resolve potential problems before they escalate.

Highly Scalable Design

Designed with scalability in mind, the Kioti Kitchen Management System can easily accommodate the growing needs of kitchens of all sizes. The system's architecture allows for the seamless integration of additional equipment, sensors, and users as a kitchen expands or evolves.

Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics

The Kioti Kitchen Management System offers comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities that empower kitchen managers to make data-driven decisions. From daily HACCP temperature reports to monthly utility consumption summaries, the system generates detailed, easy-to-understand reports that provide valuable insights into kitchen performance, compliance, and efficiency.

Next Steps

OpenKit continues to work with UpNorth Group for the maintenance of Kioti. This ensures that Kioti remains up-to-date and continues to serve its users effectively. We provide regular updates, troubleshoot any issues, and continue to improve the system based on user feedback and technological advancements.

Technologies Used

  • Flutter & Dart for iOS, Android and Web application
  • IoT Core, EasyIO
  • Typescript, Node.js
  • Google Firebase, Cloud Functions, Realtime Database, Firestore database, Firebase Authentication

Let's Bring Your Idea to Life

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