Efficiency is one of the most important aspects of a business’s ability to thrive in today’s challenging environment. Ensuring consistent progress and minimal delays are some of the keys to staying competitive while driving down your costs. But while recognizing an efficiency problem is fairly straightforward, identifying the ideal solution is a little trickier, especially when so many processes are intertwined in a single system.

This is where the knowledge and expertise of a robotics systems integrator comes in. Working with the right partner to evaluate your unique situation properly will help ensure success. Here are five important points to think about when considering robotic systems integration.

1 – Consider Your Facility’s Potential ROI

Robotics systems can offer amazing benefits to your business or industry. They can improve safety and efficiency while addressing labor challenges. In fact, according to the Association for Advancing Automation, robots offer multiple ways to improve your ROI. Their predictability can reduce waste or damage to products, minimize the likelihood of injuries from repetitive work, and result in faster production cycles.

According to the Manufacturing Institute, there are a projected 2.4 million job openings that will be unfilled between 2018 through 2028 in the manufacturing industry. Openings are frequently being added by manufacturers to combat the growth in demand, but finding skilled workers remains a challenge. Compounding the issue, nearly a quarter of the current manufacturing workforce is approaching the age for retirement. Integrating robotic solutions into the manufacturing process can help your company stay ahead of this labor trend.

Because robots can take on repetitive and potentially dangerous tasks, integrating a robot into your manufacturing process can help you reduce the risk of injuries and protect your bottom line. Repetitive motion injuries are the leading cause of shoulder and lower back pain, which, according to FMP Global, account for nearly 20% of all worker compensation claims. These claims have an average compensation of $24,000. Plus, eliminating repetitive tasks and creating safer work environments can also impact job satisfaction and increase employee retention.

Potential solutions can vary in complexity, but regardless of scale, partnering with an experienced integrator like RMH can help solve your facility’s challenges. Whether you are looking to supplement a shortened workforce, or to protect the valuable workforce you already have, investing in a robotic solution can help promote a higher ROI.

2 – Partner with an Integrator You Can Trust

There are cases where your process would be better improved by a non-robotic system. And in other situations, a combination of the two will offer the best solution. Rather than try and get ahead of the process by looking for the solution yourself, focus your attention on understanding the problems. If there are areas in the manufacturing process that are consistently causing delays in the flow, that might be where you want to begin the conversation on how to make the process more efficient.

A good integrator will be able to identify the best solution tailored to your unique situation and budget, which may look very different from the solution you had anticipated. Often, it requires integrating new equipment into existing systems, making sure it works cohesively with what operates around it. There are times when a robotic application would be inefficient and not cost-effective for the application, and an experienced integrator can help make sure you are making the right investment, not just the one you think you want. With roots in automated systems for packaging and material handling, RMH has in-house experience and expertise to fully evaluate your need for robotics system integration.

3 – Evaluate Upstream and Downstream Solutions

Many clients can identify a specific problem in a key process, like a bottleneck in packaging speed. They may even have a perceived solution. But after consulting with their robotics system integrator, it is not uncommon to discover their proposed solution differs. Resolution may lie further upstream or downstream in the process, and leaving those unaddressed will just lead to the same issues surfacing with the new equipment. Because RMH recognizes each facility’s needs are different, our experts carefully review your equipment and process to provide the most optimized solution. With proper evaluation, thoughtfully designed solutions can result in big rewards once the new solution is in place.

4 – Look for a Partner Who Offers Maintenance and Repairs

Robotics systems work best with reliable support and service that can respond to errors and mechanical issues quickly and effectively. Having staff or resources on hand for when the robot’s programming needs adjustment will help mitigate costs and delays. RMH offers both responsive and preventative maintenance and support. We also offer training on every system we install to ensure your team understands how to keep it running at peak performance.

5 – Consider an All-in-One Integrator to Save Time

Your robotics integrator should ideally be a one-stop shop for integration, training, and service. Receiving these from one source ensures that you’re calling the right place to get the support you need when you have questions and need a solution. With one point of contact, you’re able to get a solution where all of the equipment added has been considered together and should work efficiently as a whole project. RMH offers turn-key industrial integration expertise and a high standard of friendly customer support. We specialize in material handling and packaging automation, and our integrators can assist a project from conception to completion. And when you need additional support, we’re just a phone call away to make sure your operation can continue to run at peak performance.

Partner with a Trusted Integrator Like RMH Systems

Robotics systems integration can seem like a complex process but taking these five things into consideration can ensure a successful outcome. First, consider your facility’s potential ROI and what resources you have available to support automation. Second, work with an integrator you can trust to provide a comprehensive solution that meets your specific needs. Third, allow the process to be evaluated upstream and downstream for solutions, as your integrator may recognize a better place to implement robotics for the long-term health of your production. Remember to secure maintenance and day-to-day support to keep your operation running smoothly.

And finally, partner with a trusted integrator like RMH. Our experienced team of industrial solutions experts are dedicated to your success. Our turn-key capabilities, eliminate the red tape, so you can expect expert fewer hurdles from design, and project management through implementation. Request a free consultation with our engineers today to learn more about how robotics systems integration can benefit you. You can get started by giving us a call at 800-851-4995.