Most companies are still bound to their old systems in one way or another, simply because of the principle, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it”. It is high time that we understand that fixing something isn’t the only reason for an upgrade. Increasing the efficiency of a process, making it more productive & streamlined and reducing risk of injury are some solid milestones that can be achieved by upgrading a conventional system.
Electronic components are bound to age & degrade in terms of performance. Furthermore, technology evolves, as per Moore’s law. First & foremost, as time passes the supply chain becomes fragile, and vendors start phasing out support for primitive components. This can put your entire operation at risk of unplanned downtime, and keep you tied to your human resource that knows how to navigate through the fixes. When you upgrade your system, you assimilate yourself with modern technologies & supply chain, which are much more resilient & reliable.
Sure, the employees you’ve had for years would be comfortable with the established technology, however same can’t be said for the younger generation. Millennials want to work with the latest technology, and can do wonders if provided the right resources.
Back in the 1990s, the challenges associated with industrial internet were the least of anyone’s concern. Today, cyber threats & viruses pry on weak systems are wreak havoc on them. Same can happen if primitive systems are connected to industrial internet gateways. They would simply be helpless against external threats. Upgrading your system would put you at par with the latest industrial requirements, a focal one of which is security.
Why do we upgrade our smartphones every year or so? For new features & functionalities, which ultimately help us be more productive. In today’s age of industrial internet, data is everything. Data analytics can make or break a company’s fortune, and therefore one should try to leverage it onto the plant floor, to respond befittingly to the dynamic market trends.
Interested in learning more? Talk to one of our professionals at PanelShop.com.