3 Tips to Set Up Your Manufacturing Automation System Right

June 6th 2018 15:00:00 PM

Often, when manufacturers talk about manufacturing automation software, they’re imagining some futuristic product that will be released in a futuristic time but recent news reports have proved that a manufacturing automation future isn’t coming; it’s already here. Manufacturers that aren’t ready to implement this new technology may be in danger of falling behind their competitors.

In fact, there’s an extremely high probability that your competitors are planning to use automation in their plants soon. According to a MAPI survey (Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation) published on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation website, more than three-quarters of U.S. manufacturers intend to invest in automation by 2019.

If you’re interested in staying ahead of the curve, this article will help you understand how you can implement this key technology in your business.

Want personalized information immediately? Contact Scanco online or at (330) 645-9959 so you can find out more and start planning your next steps.

How to Implement a Manufacturing Automation Solution Properly

When considering your upgrade to newer, better technology, there are a few best practices you can follow to ensure that your transformation process goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Standardize your operations first

At this point, it’s common knowledge that businesses are started by people but grown by systems. If you’re struggling to keep up with your competitors and you don’t have clear operational systems and procedures in place across your company yet, you’ll want to focus on creating those SOPs first—before you even consider implementing manufacturing automation software.

2. Implement and train across the organization

When implementing new technology, many business owners make the mistake of only implementing in a single department or with specific employees. You run a small company, which means it benefits no one for you to have siloed processes and knowledge. Your best bet for implementation success with manufacturing automation software is to ensure that the workers using the software can use it and everyone else clearly understands and champions it.

3. Maintain strong leadership throughout the process

It’s a fact of life that people dislike change. Implementing a manufacturing automation solution can trigger resentment against change, even when the software you’re using will auto-generate work orders, streamline processes, and speed data entry at all stages of the production process. Throughout the implementation process, be available to answer questions about the software and always, always, always stay positive about the new, exciting direction your company is taking.

Get on the Path to Success with Manufacturing Automation from Scanco

If you’re still using outdated legacy tech in your manufacturing plant, you’re doing yourself and your business a disservice. Yesterday’s software applications weren’t built with today’s efficiencies in mind, and they don’t have a way to integrate cleanly with modern, leading automation solutions. If you’re still relying on old, slow technologies in your business because they’re “good enough,” consider the matter from your customer’s viewpoint. If they start thinking that the product you create, with the tools you have, is simply “good enough,” they’re unlikely to stay your customer for long. They’ll leave you for a competitor that creates the exact right product for them.

You’ve worked hard growing your business for years. At this point, you deserve software that’s more than just “good enough,” —you deserve the exact right software for your needs.

If you’re looking to automate and streamline your work tasks while increasing accuracy by easing data-entry tasks, Scanco Manufacturing Efficiency and related options for Sage 100 can help – and there’s no better partner to help you implement these cutting-edge solutions than the manufacturing experts at Scanco. 

Get on the path to manufacturing automation success when you contact Scanco online or at (330) 645-9959 to speak with one of our manufacturing experts.