WHERE ARE YOU ON THE AUTOMATION CURVE?

Automation has gradually become a part of our daily lives, from automatic bill payments to email auto-replies. Everyone at the household level now deploys the rudimentary automation. The concept becomes more complex as we discuss larger businesses that operate in extensive spaces where they manage multiple bills and salary deposits. These businesses must understand what works best for them. Companies should strive to develop adaptive systems that support their workforce while addressing challenges such as workforce shortages, legacy integration, and sustainability goals, all while being mindful of costs.

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Companies are on a fervent search for automation solutions because they want to become more flexible and faster. There is a lingering question about which solutions will best suit us and reduce the documentation flow. How can the shortage of skilled employees be filled? But, firstly, we need to understand what automation brings with it and how the systems and data help the manufacturing processes in the long run.

Addressing the pain points

When we talk about adapting autonomy, several concerns need to be addressed first. While speaking to Dr. Sanjeev Srivastava, Head of Industrial Automation at Delta Electronics India, he explained that Indian manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), face challenges in adopting automation. These challenges include high upfront costs, a lack of skilled workers, old infrastructure, and limited knowledge about return on investment (ROI). Additionally, resistance to change and unclear decision-making processes hinder the implementation of new technologies.

The industrial sector often combines old systems with new technologies, making it difficult and expensive to introduce automation solutions. There is also a shortage of professionals skilled in both operations and information technology, which is crucial for properly maintaining and improving advanced systems. Furthermore, issues like data silos and a lack of system compatibility limit the effectiveness of automation. Some organisations find it hard to show a clear ROI, particularly if they are reluctant to make large upfront investments. This challenge is related to the complexity of automation and the skills gap, leading to longer and resource-heavy initial deployments.