Operational efficiency is critical to every industry. Many companies, though, continue to rely on decades-old controls and devices to run their essential processes. Equipment such as forklifts and conveyor systems that have existed for 20 or 30 years continue to serve the business well, making it difficult to justify replacement.

Taking a close look at alternatives, however, may show missed opportunities for operational improvements and can offer an eye-opening experience for management.

Improving Old Technology

Today, Information Technology and Operations Technology (IT/OT) have converged to provide efficiency and functionality unlike any known in years past. Even basic forklifts have guidance systems that direct movement in the most productive and efficient patterns for finding items and routing them to their proper destinations for packing and shipping. Technology can also take over these movements with programmed robots that select the correct items and deliver them to a packing station for shipment. Integrated systems track movement and plan routes and can keep records of the items picked and shipped. Much of this is thanks to radio frequency (RF) technology, which enables efficient communications between IT systems and OT devices.

Evolving to the Internet of Things

Although many businesses continue to rely on manual systems and keep older equipment running, the time approaches for considering costs versus return on investment (ROI) in regards to modernizing and converging operations and IT into the Industrial Internet of Things.

Things to consider include:

• Frequent repairs and difficulty in obtaining replacement parts
• Downtime caused by equipment failures and loss of use
• Delayed customer shipments and lack of inventory availability caused by delays in stocking
• Poor efficiency from use of outmoded and non-integrated systems
• Lack of competitive edge due to advancements at competing companies

Enabling the Industrial Internet of Things

At Southeast Computer Solutions, our consultants work you to provide a single source for your operations and technology solutions. We can merge software and technology to improve your operational efficiency while upgrading and optimizing your existing infrastructure. Our track record of successful implementations and continuing support speaks for itself and will continue through our relationship with your business.

Contact us today to discover how we can leverage our experience to bring the Industrial Internet of Things to reality for you.

About Southeast Computer Solutions

Southeast Computer Solutions is based in Miami, Florida, and has additional operations in Mexico. For over 30 years, we have positively impacted the success of small and mid-sized businesses with effective business management implementations that improve our clients’ operations. We listen, we are accessible, and we care. Learn more by visiting our website or calling 305-556-4697.