Kroger Named CIO 100 Winner for Technology Innovation

The Kroger Co.'s  innovative electronic temperature monitoring project was named a winner of the 2015 CIO 100 Award by International Data Group's CIO Magazine. "We are honored to be listed among the CIO 100," says Chris Hjelm, Kroger's chief information officer. "From our inventors and innovators in Kroger Technology to our Food Safety and Retail Operations groups, so many Kroger teams worked together to make electronic temperature monitoring a success and they all share in our appreciation." Kroger's electronic temperature monitoring initiative, FAST (Food at Safe Temperature) Alerts, tracks cold and frozen food case temperatures and notifies store associates of temperature changes. Using interactive sensors that are connected through an in-store network, FAST Alerts helps ensure that fresh foods remain fresher, longer by making real-time temperature checks of produce, meat, deli and frozen food products. The technology also eliminates the need for manual temperature logs. "FAST Alerts is a perfect example of the Customer 1st Innovation we strive for—it saves money and frees up time for our associates to engage with customers," says Hjelm. "Most importantly, this technology is helping to improve our already vigorous food safety efforts." The program is the result of collaboration between Kroger's Facility Engineering, Food Safety, Technology, Pharmacy, Merchandising and Retail Operations departments, as well as store leaders and associates. Kroger and other winning companies will be recognized at The CIO 100 Symposium & Awards Ceremony in August in Colorado Springs, Colo.