With each new year, industries across the board turn their sights to up-and-coming trends, and ways to implement greater efficiencies into their workflow. Sometimes these solutions come in the form of brand new technology, while other times they present themselves in the form of slight modifications to current production lines. However, there is no denying that industrial automation solutions are taking a big step forward in 2022, and not only because of the benefits they have always provided, but also how the world has shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are in the manufacturing industry, or perhaps oversee the logistics of day-to-day operations pertaining to a processing plant, then you are likely aware of production problems that were introduced by the pandemic. And while this shift in business structure caused you to likely alter your operational strategy in one way or another, you certainly have a better understanding of the need to be agile and flexible. Simply put, you recognize the need to be able to shift with the tides, whatever hurdles come your way. And you are not alone, which is why industrial automation technologies are on the forefront of many manufacturers’ minds as they look to the coming year.
And while automated solutions can be implemented in a wide range of industries and processes, there are some industries that are sure to experience the benefits more immediately than others. For instance, manufacturers of food, pharmaceuticals, and parcels are sure to improve their workflow and performance by implementing industrial automation systems into their production. But in order to fully understand how these industries will reap the benefits of industrial automation solutions, you need to first understand exactly what industrial automation is.
What is Industrial Automation?
Industrial automation is the implementation of control systems into your workflow. But while this sounds straightforward, industrial automation systems are far from uniform, and they do not come in a one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, quite the opposite, which is why it is important to have an industrial automation company assist with your implementation.
For example, you might want to have a series of automated robotic devices, which handle a specific task and are relied on on a regular and ongoing basis. On the other hand, you might want robotics that are designed to adjust tasks based on workflow and inventory levels, and you therefore need industrial automation technologies in the form of software that can keep communication open and timely between these operational machines and the company as a whole.
And even further, these industrial automation systems are often introduced into your current workflow, not the other way around. This means you don’t have to change your operations, simply implement custom automation solutions that fit (and improve) how you are already doing things.
Industries Being Impacted by Automation
As mentioned, industrial automated technologies are being adapted by all sorts of companies in a wide range of industries, but some are seeing improvements on a more immediate scale. Food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and parcel production lines are just a few of them.
Just like all manufacturing and processing plants operate in a way that is unique to their business and workflow model, the same can be said about individual companies within the same industry. For instance, all food manufacturers don’t have the same type of production cycle, scale, materials being housed, and an uncountable list of other differences. But there are certain things they do have in common, such as safety protocols or the need to keep food from being contaminated.
Industrial automation technologies play a big role in keeping your production on track, while also making sure that safety is met. Efficiency also cannot be overlooked, as more and more individuals are eating meals at home and having more and more food delivered to their homes. Keeping up with this demand is crucial for any business in 2022, but none are impacted as much as the food manufacturing industry.
Pharmaceutical companies are also seeing a jump in demand for 2022, and industrial automation can similarly ensure that products are produced at a consistent pace and delivered accordingly. With rising demand and uncertainty ahead, pharmaceutical companies must eliminate human error where possible and maintain a seamless manufacturing process.
And naturally, those manufacturing or processing plants operating within the parcel and shipping industry understand what happens when a mass demand of home shoppers changes the economic landscape. During the pandemic, home shopping reached new heights and the world is still experiencing setbacks as a result of supply chain disruptions. By implementing industrial automated systems into your workflow, you can be better prepared for such hurdles when they arise, and better manage inventory and production cycles to adjust to the real-time ebbs and flows of your market base, regardless of how big or small that market base is.
Overall, 2021 saw a shift in various landscapes when it came to consumer consumption, and suppliers and manufacturers implemented new methods to stay relevant and participate as best they could. 2022 is going to be the year that these industries implement (or improve upon their existing) industrial automated solutions to get ahead of whatever is on the way, and not let disruptions of the past be ongoing problems of the future.
Stay Ahead of the Game
Disruptions and hurdles are going to happen, and there is no way to prevent shifts, whether they appear operationally or are consumer driven. However, you can stay ahead of the curve by having an automated workflow that is flexible and customized to your needs, allowing you to tailor your processes and be in control of your operations as a whole.
Contact the experts at EAD today and learn more about how industrial automated solutions can benefit your business.