4 Ways Automation Technology Makes Things Better for Customers

March 11, 2020

Whether it’s increased productivity, lower costs, greater flexibility, or reduced time to market, we often talk about the benefits of automation technology as they relate to manufacturers. The right technologies, incorporated effectively into the production processes, can make a significant difference on your business results.

What’s missing from these conversations around efficiency and throughput, however, is how technology impacts the customer. As competition increases and consumers have more choice than ever before, manufacturers need to understand how the equipment, systems, and processes they put in place can be used to benefit consumers and create value that keeps them coming back.

This article will shift the perspective and explore four ways that consumers benefit when automation technology is implemented in your facility.

New product innovation

Customers have grown to expect constant innovation. From the latest smart phones to new flavors of toothpaste, innovation occurs at an almost overwhelming rate. It’s not long before trends change, and the hottest product is replaced by something new. This, of course, benefits consumers by giving them more choice, but it also places pressure on manufacturers to keep up.

By leveraging data to predict trends and installing flexible, agile, and adaptable equipment into manufacturing facilities, some brands have been able to take this to the extreme and disrupt entire markets in the process. Fast fashion brands, for example, have compressed the design, manufacturing, and distribution cycle from months to weeks or even days. Customers can find something new every time they walk into a store, while the brands themselves can offer the latest looks at a low cost.

Increased product availability

Running out of inventory is expensive, and a missing component or supply chain issue can shut down production lines and create bottlenecks that lead to costly delays. In a time when online shopping has trained customers to expect that products will always be in stock when they want them, shortages mean lost sales, reduced customer loyalty, and long-term damage to your reputation.

This can have a huge impact on customers depending on the type of product. Drug manufacturers, for example, need to ensure people have access to the medication they need. Advanced data and analytics technologies allow manufacturers to manage inventory, forecast demand, and avoid shortages. Not only does this reduce cost and risk for the manufacturer, it also benefits consumers who can be confident they can get the product they want when they walk into a store.

Personalization at scale

Mass production has led to incredible advances in efficiency and has allowed manufacturers to take advantage of economies of scale. Personalization, on the other hand, has historically been an entirely different approach. Until recently, it was possible in relatively small batches but increased costs, lead times, and complexity.

All of that is shifting as customers demand more personalization and customization. Automation technology such as additive manufacturing and more adaptable robots are allowing companies to scale up personalization at little to no additional cost. One company, for example, lets customers design their own reusable bottles by uploading graphics, specs, and details such as size and colour. On a larger scale, automotive companies let customers design their entire vehicle, choosing everything from features and options to colours, materials, and accessories. That’s a big shift for an industry famous for Henry Ford’s quote, “you can have any colour you want, as long as it’s black.”

Improved product quality and safety

Technology advances are reshaping the way companies manage product quality and safety both before and after products leave the factory. Connected sensors capture data throughout the manufacturing process to detect defects or production issues as they occur, greatly increasing quality assurance and reducing defect rates. In other cases, companies can trace issues back to a specific batch, lot, location, or time, improving responsiveness and speed in the event of a recall.

Take, for example, food and beverage companies. As soon as an issue is identified, they need to react to ensure customers are safe. By being able to narrow down the affected products and communicate that information to customers, they can avoid pulling back hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars worth of products while also keeping customers safe and confident in the brand. Whether the issue is caused by a supplier, a piece of equipment, or a distributor, manufacturers can limit risk and ensure product safety for customers.

Giving customers what they want with automation technology

Faced with so many options, consumers need a reason to choose your brand. Manufacturers must think about how the technology they install benefits not just the production processes, but the end customers as well. They are the people who are going to be buying and using your products. By seeing automation technology as a way to achieve a competitive advantage, manufacturers can capitalize on these opportunities and make things better for their customers.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Pilz Automation Safety Canada L.P. announces that their long-term CEO and GM, Andreas Sobotta, will assume the role of Vice President North and South America, effective immediately. He will still work from the Canadian office in Mississauga and visit all other subsidiaries in North and South America. Pilz will take their time to find a… Read More…

  • SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    Whether in production or logistics operations, MAXOLUTION is synonymous with innovation in factory automation – across all industries and worldwide – helping you achieve your vision of an adaptable and resilient lean smart factory. Under the MAXOLUTION brand, SEW-EURODRIVE creates customized solutions for cutting-edge materials handling technology – from the shop floor through to IT.… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    By Krystie Johnston and Dr. Manfred Jagiella – Sustainability facilitates opportunity when approached with a mindset to preserve resources and promote circularity. We share one Earth, and it is our global responsibility to care for it for the next generation. Endress+Hauser is one global company that understands this responsibility – and practices it as well.… Read More…

  • Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Circuit breakers are an essential component of any modern electrical system. Designed to protect your home or business from potential overloads or short circuits, these devices are your first line of defense against electrical fires. There are, however, situations where remote tripping of the circuit breaker may be required. It could be for operational reasons,… Read More…