What is the NAFEM Data Protocol?

The NAFEM Data Protocol is a set of standard rules and message formats that allows commercial kitchen equipment to communicate with a foodservice manager's or service technician's computer. It provides real-time informational tools to address five critical areas:

• Product/Inventory Management
• Asset Management
• Labor Management
• Food Safety
• Energy Management

A fryer, for example, can communicate with the manager's personal computer to relay information such as energy usage, cook cycles and shortening temperature. The fryer can also receive information from the computer to spur adjustments in temperature, cook cycles and other operating essentials.

In addition, when the fryer's heating element is nearing the end of its lifecycle or operating below specified levels, the piece of equipment would issue an alert directly to the manufacturer's service center. The result is one-call servicing - facilitated by the manufacturer's ability to access exact information on the model and replacement part needed - before the element fails.

The Protocol could ultimately permit every piece of kitchen equipment to communicate. This will give the operator the power and flexibility to select from various manufacturers the equipment, software, and support that best suit his or her needs. Manufacturers will then gain the ability to differentiate their products with leading edge features, total operations integration, and/or the ability to offer the restaurant enhancements that ideally meet the operator's needs.