Things You Need To Consider Before Automating Your Facility

If you’re considering automating your facility, you should take the time to understand what your options are and how they’ll affect the way your facility operates. The right automation solution can make running your facility much easier and more efficient. However, it can also cost thousands of dollars, be complicated to set up, and require periodical maintenance. When it comes to building automation, there are several things you need to consider before moving forward with your plans and to make the most of it. So, we’ve listed some of the factors you need to consider to help you make informed decisions.

Will it Impact on Site Safety?

Will you be automating anything that could directly impact on site safety? If so, it’s imperative that you conduct a thorough risk assessment. If your automation system was to fail or otherwise stop working, what is your plan for addressing immediate risks? Whatever you decide on, make sure it’s written down in an easily accessible place. Make sure everyone knows where it is and how they can access it in an emergency.

How Long Will It Take?

Depending on how long it takes for you to plan and implement your new building automation you’ll be staring at a bit of downtime during which critical tasks can’t be performed. That’s why it’s crucial that you research what will happen once your facility is running off an automated system. Make sure you know exactly how long it will take for everything in your facility to start operating smoothly with your new system.

How Much Will It Cost?

The cost of building automation system varies greatly depending on what you’re looking to automate. In most cases, it will cost tens of thousands of dollars; however, in some cases, it can go as high as $100K. The great thing about automation is that your investment will pay for itself over time through increased production and reduced costs.

Is There An Established Vision For The Future Of the Facility?

When automating your facility, you need to ensure that there is a solid plan in place for where you want it to go. Having a destination will help you determine which systems are crucial and what they should look like. A good example of how automation has gone wrong is by trying too many different things at once instead of focusing on making one thing work. The more money spent on equipment that never gets used means less funds available for improvements.

Consider these factors when planning to automate your building. Speak with the professionals specialised in smart buildings to know your options and plan the project.

The author is a blogger and helps to create intelligent environments. He specialises in designing and creating innovative building control systems.