Automation - how to get it right
October 01st 2005 There are now hundreds of automated logistics solutions operating successfully across the country. The critical success factors are explored by Graham Watts, Secretary of AMHSA (Automated Material Handling Systems Association).
Automation secures many benefits for a company but the process of implementing a fully- or semi-automated logistics system requires expert management every step of the way.
There are now hundreds of automated projects operating successfully across the country, some after 15 years or more of service. And among them are plenty of examples of blue-chip manufacturers, retailers and third-party distributors that have invested in a series of automated systems: fairly convincing evidence that technology has delivered the desired results.
Indeed, in many cases those companies that derive the greatest benefits from the introduction of automation are the keenest to keep their new found competitive advantage under wraps.
The supply chain plays a critical role in modern business and, as with any high value capital project, the key to success lies in planning – not just the automated system itself, but the total project infrastructure.
So what advice can AMHSA offer those considering automation? Take a look at our 12 critical success factors for implementing an automated handling solution:
Plan Early: Start planning as early as possible for automation projects. This allows you to time to consider growth, service and staff levels in detail. Procrastination over planning due to fear of technology, high capital costs, change of culture or possible service level reductions will only serve to aggravate the situation later on.
Prioritize: Having defined a business need to automate, your system priorities must be set in terms of the three key factors of cost, quality and flexibility.
Create Partnerships: Foster a partnership approach to your project, encompassing all parties involved in its successful delivery. Arrange team-building events and celebrate the achievement of key milestones.
Analyse Data: You need to provide a comprehensive analysis of relevant data, with verification sessions at intervals during the design and implementation process - and also at intervals after the system has gone live.
Allow for Growth: Agree and document the expected growth factor that will influence the design throughout the system’s life.
Understand Functionality: Ensure that there is full understanding of the functionality of the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and the Warehouse Control System (WCS)
Simulate: Agree the scope of any simulation required, together with specified ‘what if?’ scenarios.
Design for Downtime: Include exception routines in your design that come into play in the case of critical equipment downtime.
Choose Suppliers Wisely: Select only respected sub-contractors to form a team that is capable of supplying equipment that will meet the contractual responsibilities of the Main Contractor.
Construct a Critical Path Analysis: As well as bar chart planning, build a critical path analysis showing the effect of planning data from all parties involved (such as civil works, services, functionality testing, etc.), with drop-dead dates shown and reviewed at intervals during the lifetime of the project.
Set Realistic Targets: Planning should contain realistic targets for design, build and implementation. Sufficient time should be allocated for commissioning, acceptance testing, operator training and so on.
Allow for Migration: The customer should allow for migration from an existing system of working (maybe manual or semimechanised) to a new set of procedures for the automated system.
It will not work 99.9% on day one.
| About AMHSA
AMHSA is the voice of the UK automated handling industry and includes the principle UK companies that supply over 80% of all automated handling equipment purchased in the UK.
The Association provides a forum for members to discuss matters of mutual interest and to promote ever-improving standards of quality and safety for the benefit of users of automated material handling systems.
AMHSA plays a significant role in the drafting of CEN and ISO standards affecting the automated handling sector.
The Association's Technical Committee, debates industry-wide policy on safety and technical matters and reviews standards in the light of future legislation and technology. It maintains close contact with government organisations such as the DTI and the HSE.
AMHSA members are committed to the highest standards of customer care and after sales service, of crucial importance in the maintaining the customer’s high opinion of the industry.
Whatever your interest in unit load conveying, be it manufacturer, supplier, specifier or user, our association welcomes you as a member or associate member. We are here to promote and protect the unit load conveyor industry.
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