CAUTION: Outdated Equipment Can Cause Downtime and Production Loss. Modernization is the ANSWER.
Ask Yourself a Question
Let me ask you a question. Would you use a 30 year old computer for your day to day tasks? Think about what problems you might encounter. Here are some we thought of:
- Parts availability
- Technical support availability
- Upgrade capabilities
- Communications
The problems above are sure to happen sooner or later. Isn’t it better to combat the issues before they become a real problem? Now let’s shift our discussion to the plant floor. Do you have automation equipment at the end of its lifecycle? If the answer is yes, you have likely experienced some of the same problems mentioned in our computer example.
Expect Downtime if you are Using Legacy Equipment
Are you comfortable trusting the most critical parts of your manufacturing business to outdated automation equipment? It’s a known fact that outdated control equipment will suffer more outages due to age, and in turn will cause more planned and unplanned production loss.
Are you comfortable trusting the most critical parts of your manufacturing business to outdated automation equipment? It’s a known fact that outdated control equipment will suffer more outages due to age, and in turn will cause more planned and unplanned production loss.
Did you also know that your support staff could also further increase downtime due to their lack of knowledge of the old automation equipment? How do you plan to retain the knowledge lost by retiring maintenance staff? The reality is that this cannot be done to the extent that is needed. Training younger maintenance staff on how to support old equipment is not cost effective because the hardware and software is at the end of its useful life.
Modernization is Attainable and Easier Than you Think
Do you feel overwhelmed with all of the legacy automation hardware in your facility? Do you also feel that you don’t have the capital or the time to replace it all? You are not alone. With rapidly changing technology and a less skilled workforce, it has been easy to put modernization on the back burner until something catastrophic happens…and believe us, something catastrophic will happen eventually.
Revere Electric has the resources to help guide you through your modernization process. The first step would be to include us on a factory tour to look at your aging assets. We have the ability to identify end of life or obsolete equipment for Rockwell Automation and other automation products. For a more in depth asset review, Rockwell Automation offers a service called an Installed Base Evaluation (IBE). With the IBE, you will get detailed reporting which will help prioritize projects and also show upper management the level of risk within your facility. The IBE can include your storeroom which would show if you are carrying more inventory than needed based on working equipment on your factory floor. Once you have a good idea of the legacy equipment in your factory, it’s time to get the primary stake holders involved so that you can get buy in on prioritization. This is also the time to make your modernization wish list and determine the scope of your project.
Get Ready...Get Set...Modernize
So, do you think you are ready to put a plan together to start modernizing your legacy equipment? Revere is ready to assist you with all of your modernization needs. Our knowledgeable team will partner with you to ensure that your modernization plan meets your needs and brings you long lasting dividends for the future.
Rockwell Automation’s Lifecycle Continuum