Egypt automates wheat silos processes using IBM AI-powered software

"This supports the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade’s plans to digitise the wheat supply chain and implement governance systems on the country’s strategic stock," IBM said in a statement on Sunday.

The Egyptian Holding Company for Silos and Storage (EHCSS), affiliated with the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, hired IBM and ACME SAICO to create a platform powered by IBM’s AI-powered automation software in a hybrid cloud environment in a move that comes in line with the country's digital transformation plan.

Shipping, transport, storage, and supply of the wheat silos will be fully automated and governed through the new platform using IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation and IBM Cloud Pak for Integration.

The new platform will collect data from different sensors that are embedded in the silos, sending near real-time quantitative analytics of the wheat supply and stock status to the main platform at the Ministry of Supply.

The incoming shipments will be monitored by the EHCSS in order to maintain quality standards and limit the leakage in wheat silos extensively.

Moreover, the system will help improve coordination between different storage points and mills.

Chairman of Egyptian Holding Company for Silos & Storage, Sherif Bassili, said, "After renovating and increasing the number of silos across the nation, our goal was to build a digital platform to connect all silos with the main centre at the EHCSS. Another goal was to automate the documentation processing of the wheat supply chain and monitoring process of the 22 silos and storage points."

“We are proud to be part of this strategic project that supports the country’s digital transformation journey. By offering IBM’s AI and hybrid cloud approach, we're supporting Egypt to achieve its strategy for sustainable development as part of the country’s 2030 Vision,” General Manager of IBM Egypt, Wael Abdoush, noted.

Earlier in 2021, the pilot model for the first automated wheat silo was launched in Banha. As part of the sustainable development strategy of Egypt’s vision for 2030, the government is planning to automate 400 silos adding them to the wheat supply chain monitoring system.