How to Select the Right Automation Strategy For Your Business

Automating a shop floor, material handling operation, or warehouse is more than a passing fad and automation is clearly here to stay. Trying to switch known equipment and job responsibilities for new technology can seem overwhelming and create confusion among employees if done at once.

Having an automation strategy makes the change more manageable and gets buy-in from the team as the results are noticed.

Find the Slowdowns

A first step in automating means finding places where breakdowns and backlogs often occur. Research options and plan to train the first workers in operating the automated equipment. Measure results and get feedback from the team.

Evaluate and Proceed

A smart next step is to automate the dangerous and dirtiest jobs or the most repetitive tasks. The use of robotics is a proven way to improve workplace safety and outpace human capability. Make decisions by prioritizing desired outcomes like improved product quality and reduced production time, customer satisfaction, a decrease in expenses or a combination.

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Think creatively and see how products made for current customers can be improved by robotics, motion control, and vision systems. List the equipment, the costs, and check the learning curve for employees.

Plan the Future

Once the core product or service is automated and the positive results show a return on investment, it’s time to consider expanding to new markets or finding new and larger customers.

Changing systems and investing in automation doesn't have to happen at one time. Setting priorities and getting results in phases controls spending based on returns and shows what can be possible with increased automation.