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Choosing the Right Industrial Automation Supplier: A Game-Changer for Your Operations

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Choosing the Right Industrial Automation

Every business is looking to install its state-of-the-art operations to optimize its processes. And the more they scale up, the tougher this gets.

The answer to this challenge comes in the form of process automation aided by the best industrial supplier.

Many businesses utilize automation to streamline their operations in today’s world. Some of them include robotics, the automotive industry, the software industry, and the electronics industry. In fact, as per an Adobe Study, businesses utilizing automation enjoyed 20% more revenue.

This success rate, however, depends on the automation parts that function well. But often, selecting the correct industrial automation parts​ suppliers can be a challenging task. That’s because not every supplier has the right products, or a good track record, and so on.

So you will need to select the correct supplier after considering several factors, as mentioned below, along with your business goals.

 In this blog, we have set out to find what makes a supplier great.

How to Know What You Require?

First, you need to determine which area of your enterprise you will be using the automation devices for. You will also have to check how intensive or intricate the process for which you require the device is.

Apart from that, you will have to analyze the type of environment in which you will be using your device. We would also recommend checking the possibility of using the product for more complex operations in the future.

These factors will help you get an idea about what you’ll need, along with the company that supplies it to you.

How to Evaluate Supplier Expertise and Experience?

Once you’ve determined your objectives, you need to check your automation parts​ supplier’s knowledge, previous performance record, and their inventory of products.

Industry-Specific Knowledge

The professionals who work for the company should have the necessary knowledge required to handle and provide the materials to you. For instance, they should understand the differences between the following types of automation:

Here is a comparison table to distinguish between the four types of automation:

AspectFixedFlexibleProgrammableIntegrated
System of operationsCompleting a single task repeatedlyEach equipment operates on commandControlled by a Set of programsFully automated system integration
Human InvolvementSignificantSignificantModerateMinimal
FlexibilityRigidLimited FlexibilityFlexibleHighly Flexible

The distinctions between these types of automation will allow them to understand your needs during the consultation and supply the right industrial automation parts​. Additionally, the professionals should also be skilled in:

Track Record and References

The reputation and expertise of the Industry automation companies​ you select are equally important. That’s because these factors tell you what the company has done previously, and whether it can fulfil your current requirements.

You can check the reputation of the company you select on Google, through Google My Business, or Google Maps.  

In fact, more than 80% of people trust businesses that have four stars or more ratings. Apart from that, check their portfolio by visiting our website. You can also look for whether they’ve won any awards or not, along with testimonials from other companies.

How Can You Assess Technological Capabilities?

The Industrial automation industry​ supplier you choose should be ready to move with the times and have products that are compatible with your existing systems.  

Innovation and Adaptability

The supplier you choose should have products that have capabilities like integration with:

The products should also be temperature and wear-and-tear-resistant.  

Integration and Compatibility      

Another important factor to consider when you select your industrial automation exporters is whether the products they provide can be integrated with your existing system or not. In other words, the products you select should be compatible with:

You should also check for factors like their warranty, to ensure that you do not have to replace them for a long time.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

The industrial automation parts​ supplier you choose should follow the compliance and quality assurance requirements as demanded by the industry. Let’s take a more intensive look below.  

Adherence to Standards

The company you choose should adhere to the different types of industry standards. These are, namely:

Programming-centric standards refer to those that govern the capability of the controllers to be controlled. These standards are identified and grouped under IEC 61131 code.

Programming-centric standards are essential in reducing hardware costs and allowing for advanced integration capabilities.

Safety-based standards govern the various aspects required to maintain and safely operate the devices. These standards are covered under the following codes:

  1. IEC 60950-1
  2. IEC 61010-2-201
  3. IEC 61508
  4. IEC 62061
  5. IEC 61511

Communication-centric standards govern the communication between different devices. Some of them are:

  1. Modbus
  2. PROFINET
  3. Foundation Fieldbus
  4. PROFIBUS
  5. WirelessHART

Cybersecurity-based standards govern the safety and security of the automation devices in a specific setting. These standards can be grouped under the IEC 62443 and ENC 62443.

Here is a process chart explaining the hierarchy and classification of the quality assurance standards:

Continuous Improvement Processes

Also known as CIP, these refer to a series of steps through which existing processes are optimized in a short period of time.  You should check whether or not the industrial automation parts​ supplier you select implements this.

That’s because a lack of following the CIP will demonstrate that you cannot expect updated products over time.

Financial Stability and Risk Management

We’ll now talk about the need to check the financial health of the organization you choose, as well as strategies to mitigate any possible risks.

Evaluating Financial Health

You need to perform an intensive financial health review of the automation parts distributor you will select. Some of the ways in which you can do this are:

The financial health of the organization you choose will be important, since it will determine the monetary viability of your association with them.  

We would recommend hiring financial experts to carry out the evaluation.

Risk Mitigation Tactics

You should check the kind of risks that you could face during your association. Once you do that, you should actively run risk management scenarios and determine the best approaches to tackle them.

We would recommend running stringent tests to ensure that the products they provide are risk-free.

Apart from that, you should discuss the terms of the contract in advance, and put in conditions to prevent yourself from loss. You should also ensure that you have alternative means of obtaining the vital components of your automation devices.

Support and Service Level Agreements

Once you’ve inked your partnership deal and set a formal SLA* in place, you should ensure that you receive the required support from your industrial automation parts​ supplier.

*Note: An SLA is a Service Level Agreement that ensures each party carries out their responsibilities, provides a stable dispute resolution method, and protects you against any unlawful actions.*

Technical Support and Maintenance

Your supplier should be ready to provide the required support to your organization after they provide you with the required materials. Their professionals should help you maintain your devices, provide you with assistance, and help you upgrade your devices whenever required.

Training and Knowledge Transfer

Your industrial automation parts​ supplier should also provide your staff members with the required training to handle the devices. This will ensure that your staff members do not face any issues once the handover period is over.

Cost Considerations and Value Proposition

Finally, you must evaluate your budget when selecting an automation parts distributor. Each organization has a different set of financial requirements. You should consider the following factors when you decide on your budget:

Total Cost of Ownership

This refers to the overall financial cost of the partnership. It includes the payment schedule, cost of goods, and other extraneous expenses as applicable.

ROI and Performance Metrics

The supplier you choose should provide you with a good Return On Investment. You can evaluate the ROI by checking with other organizations with which the supplier has formed a partnership.

They will be able to give you a better idea of the benefits they enjoyed during the partnership.

Key Takeaways

Choose the Right Industrial Automation Supplier

Industrial automation is a procedure that has many moving parts to consider, something that an expert in the subject will be more equipped to explain. Therefore, to optimize the industrial automation processes, it will be for the best that you get in touch with a reliable vendor.

So, opt for a reliable vendor and experience industrial automation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kinds of automation should my industrial automation parts supplier know about?

Your industrial automation parts supplier should know about and be able to differentiate between the following types of automation:

2. What standards should my automation parts distributor adhere to?

Your automation parts distributor should adhere to the following industry standards:

3. How can I check whether my industrial automation parts supplier is financially responsible?

You can determine whether your industrial automation parts supplier is financially responsible by:

4. How can I carry out risk management before or when I sign a contract with my industrial automation parts supplier?

You should:

5. Should my automation parts distributor carry out training for my team?

Yes, ideally, your automation parts distributor should carry out training programs for your team members to ensure that no issues take place in the future.

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