Modern warehouses are incredibly busy and under constant pressure to process orders on time, every time. This is why many companies choose to boost their capacity and operational efficiency by installing end-to-end logistic process automation.
It should not be underestimated what a significant change this is, especially for those transitioning from manual operations. Some will be caught off guard by the complexity of their new systems and need help to navigate beyond go-live through to regular day-to-day operations.
It’s crucial therefore that they select a long-term partner they can trust to provide a complete support package. This will help their automation solutions to deliver maximum uptime and grow with their business.
As a leading provider of material handling systems, Toyota Automated Logistics (TAL) understands the importance of offering customers a foundation of comprehensive life-cycle support. This begins with our effective remote monitoring services, so they can rely on having their inquiries answered and resolved rapidly.
The goal is to keep systems available, optimized and running smoothly through the provision of 24/7 remote technical support, backed if necessary by a swift on-site response. We provide ongoing analysis and reporting of system performance to ensure the automation is meeting expectations and identify potential areas for continuous improvement.
In addition, the IT stack is essential for modern systems and we keep these up to date through software upgrades to improve performance and keep equipment safe from a cybersecurity perspective.
Our preventive maintenance programs are tailored to each customer’s requirements. When going about their work, our maintenance teams aim to minimize interruptions to day-to-day operations while protecting the value of equipment.
Issues that can affect the smooth running of an automated system are not always technical in nature. For example, we train warehouse operators on the most efficient use of workstations, or how to plan a batch over the course of a day. Well-trained people allow facilities to ramp-up quickly, work in a safe manner, reduce errors and increase productivity.
Advice on maintaining and improving systems is provided through our long-term life-cycle planning services. As companies grow and evolve their businesses, they have to adapt to rising volumes, labor shortages and new products moving through the warehouse. They also need guidance on investing in new technologies and when to replace components.
We work closely with our customers to ensure their automation strategies align with evolving operational goals to provide reliability and optimal performance, as well as the ability to scale as business needs evolve. That way, they are best placed to maintain and even improve their competitive advantage.
Beyond these core requirements, we help customers evaluate the need for a permanent on-site life-cycle service engineer (or team). This is particularly important if there is little in-house expertise.
Essential life-cycle services that companies need to consider when choosing their automation partner:
With a network of global and local expertise to draw on, TAL is the partner that can be relied on to deliver all these services and support operations going forward.
As a global leader in logistics automation solutions, we are well placed to offer seamless support through our local and global teams. Having that local presence, working with people who speak the same language as the customer, is the foundation to delivering the desired level of service.
With increasingly complex systems, knowing that our experienced technicians can tap into a worldwide network of support – provided by those with specific expertise – offers assurance that any challenge can be met.
This is also important when evaluating new technologies or service practices, such as predictive maintenance, that can improve systems over time. Advances in data collection and analysis make it possible for us to identify equipment that might have an issue. Dealing with this proactively also reduces the number of inspections during the year.
Finally, because automation is such a significant investment, we know how important it is to build a solid relationship based on trust, with strong communications and complete transparency.
By offering support every step of the way, Toyota Automated Logistics gives our customers confidence that they have the right partner to guide them through their automation journey from implementation through long-term operation.