18.03.2026

Digital Food Service Operations: Why Integration Is Critical Today

Gantner

Community Catering

Digital transformation is fundamentally reshaping institutional food service. Processes are becoming more complex, data volumes are growing, and expectations around transparency and efficiency continue to rise. Modern software can serve as a powerful control tool—provided that systems work seamlessly together.

We spoke with Klaus Dittel, Product Manager of necta.one, about the role integrated platforms play today and why open system ecosystems represent the future of the industry.

Gantner DigiRest GmbH x necta.one

“Software Has Become an Active Control Lever”

In many operations, software was long used primarily for documentation. That role has changed significantly. "Software is no longer just a documentation tool—it’s an active control lever," explains Klaus Dittel. The greatest potential emerges when data from different areas is brought together—such as procurement, inventory management, production, and billing. "In practice, we often see that this connection is missing, which means valuable potential remains untapped."

Integration Over Isolated Solutions

A key factor in many projects is the existing system landscape. Hardly any operation starts its digital transformation from scratch. In most cases, POS systems, dispensing solutions, access control, or billing systems are already in place. "The challenge is not to run these systems side by side, but to make them work together," says Dittel. Integration ensures consistent data flows and centralizes information. Only on this shared foundation can businesses make well-informed decisions. "This is exactly where the real value is created."

Open Platforms Create New Opportunities

This is exactly where necta.one’s platform approach comes in. Instead of building a closed system, the solution was deliberately designed as an open platform. It serves as the central foundation for data and logic, while specialized systems can contribute their individual strengths in a targeted way. "This creates integrated solutions that reflect real-world operations—without compromising on functionality or quality."

Digitalization Without System Disruption

A key advantage of this approach is that existing solutions don’t need to be replaced. "necta.one acts as a connecting layer between planning, inventory management, and operational systems," explains Dittel. Dispensing systems, POS systems, or billing solutions can continue to be used while being integrated in a targeted way. For operations, this primarily means planning reliability. It’s not about a complete system overhaul, but about a gradual and controlled advancement of digitalization.

When Processes Operate in Isolation

Before integrated solutions are implemented, project teams often encounter similar challenges. Data is scattered, processes don’t align, and critical information is missing. "Procurement doesn’t know exactly what was issued. Controlling relies on estimates. Kitchen managers have little time to manually process data." These disconnects lead to extra work and make managing operations more difficult. "This is exactly where integrated solutions come into play."

Partnership as a Success Factor

Beyond technology, collaboration with experienced implementation partners is crucial. "Technology alone doesn’t solve problems," emphasizes Dittel. "Partners like Gantner DigiRest GmbH bring deep understanding of real-world operations, especially at the interfaces between people, systems, and processes." In joint projects, the focus is not only on integration but also on continuous development.

The Future: Open Digital Ecosystems

For Klaus Dittel, the direction of the industry is clear. "I’m convinced the future lies in open ecosystems." Platforms like necta.one provide the technical foundation and consolidate data, while partners such as Gantner bring customer proximity and process expertise. "Together, this creates systems that not only work today but can also evolve sustainably over time." Ultimately, it’s about using technology in a way that truly supports day-to-day operations, giving food service providers the transparency, efficiency, and flexibility they need for the future.