The advance of the information society at the global level has also had a far-reaching and fundamental impact on the manufacture of confectionery products since the 1990s. In comparison to earlier times, the ubiquitous nature of the Internet has radically altered the conditions and opportunities for adding value in terms of the availability of information. People are able to use information instantly anywhere on the globe and so there is now a great opportunity to standardize. Instrumentation and process control is able to provide information now that the exchange of information is vital for the interaction between man and machine.
This man–machine relationship represents a central element within the exchange of information, see Figure 21.7. In overall terms, the exchange of information includes both the raw materials, intermediary products, finished products and machines on the one hand, as well as all the associated personnel on the other. People depend on instrumentation to monitor the production. In addition machines need to be self-monitoring through circuits and controls, with quality specifications determining the magnitude of the permitted fluctuations. Good man–machine relationships result in faster implementation of decisions, provide the potential for identifying further cost-cutting actions and aids the delivery of products on time to the required quality and quantity. In his capacity as a machine operator, maintenance personnel, manager, or engineer etc. a person can apply his knowledge and experience as well as use a variety of test instruments or auxiliary sources. These can be permanently installed display units or portable communications platforms providing instant access to networked machines, plants, control equipment and primary control units. In addition, databases with the results of studies for example relating to machine optimization, new machine offers etc. can provide useful information.