Unlocking Possibilities with Automation
The conversations surrounding automation have moved from being conceptual to practical implementation with adoption increasing over time. The last two years more than ever have amplified the benefits of automation for the manufacturing industry with remote management and data driven decision making capabilities available to manufacturers anytime and anywhere.
As solution providers having innovated service platforms that include Smart Factory, Smart Maintenance, Smart Manufacturing and Cybersecurity solutions for Operational Technology, we encounter and answer numerous concerns on automating a manufacturing plant.
Understanding the process and how these solutions work can unlock endless possibilities for production facilities in terms of productivity, savings and elimination of waste. Here , we address the common worry points faced by manufacturers, especially small and medium industries, when considering automation.
- High cost- a valid concern as manufacturing is an industry that requires continuous expenditure. Automation is a flexible exercise that can be conducted in stages without disrupting the overall flow of the plant. Simply put, one does not have to implement plant wide automation but focus on their core pain points and leverage on automation to solve their long term issues.
- Replacing machines – this is not necessary in the majority of cases. IIoT devices help connect legacy machines to your network and smart factory operations. No machine (if possible) gets left behind and new capabilities are unlocked with the entire plant giving valuable data sets that can help improve the production process.
- Job loss- re-skilling and up-skilling are the solutions here. Training is necessary for the workforce to adapt to the new environment of production. Data analytics skills will prove to be a big advantage for their career.
- Work disruption- the installation and implementation process for smart factory, smart manufacturing, smart maintenance and Cybersecurity solutions are minimally intrusive and cause minimal interruption to the manufacturing workflow. The process is completed in stages without causing major downtime for the manufacturer.
On the whole, automation solutions will drive production efficiency higher in the long run. While these concerns are valid and practical, it would benefit manufacturers to request for a demo or customised proposal so they can learn how these solutions will help their business grow.
