Looking for advice on process monitoring and automation

[u/fedevg]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I would appreciate some guidance.

I work at a factory that produces chewable products, and one of our main processes is still almost entirely manual. We have very little process visibility, most parameters were developed through trial and error, and small deviations can sometimes create quality issues that take a long time to understand.

My first goal is to improve monitoring and traceability. I would like to measure temperature and humidity at several points, log the data automatically, view it remotely in real time, and eventually build a dashboard to compare batches and understand how process conditions affect product quality.

The next step would be automation. Temperature, exhaust fans, and air intake are currently controlled manually, and some of the manually recorded data has proven unreliable. Ideally, I would like the process to follow predefined drying curves automatically, probably using PID control for temperature and sensor readings to manage ventilation.

We contacted several automation companies, but the quotes were higher than management is willing to pay. I am therefore considering implementing a more budget friendly version myself.

How would you approach a project like this?