OnRobot, provider of hardware and software solutions for collaborative applications, addresses the hesitancy of SMEs to implement automation solutions and explains how automation can simplify growth.
Automation’s benefits extend well beyond large industries like automotive manufacturing or logistics. Sectors such as small-scale manufacturing and warehousing can also significantly benefit from automation by increasing productivity, reducing costs, and encouraging innovation. Yet, many smaller businesses hesitate to embrace automation due to its perceived complexity and high costs.
For SMEs, challenges arise not only from the initial investment but also from the expertise and time required for installation and operation. Concerns about potential disruptions to existing workflows, extensive training needs, and long setup periods further delay adoption. These concerns slow down the implementation of automation, preventing businesses from tapping into its potential to drive productivity and, by extension, economic growth.
OnRobot’s Approach to Simplifying Automation
OnRobot focuses on making automation accessible to SMEs by offering solutions that are easy to use, scalable, and affordable. The company’s approach eliminates technical complexities, allowing businesses to adopt automation rapidly. Key elements of its strategy include:
- Plug-and-Play Solutions: Off-the-shelf systems that are easy to install and operate. For example, the AA:PALL palletizing system, developed with Applied Automation, and OnRobot’s CNC Machine Tending solution, created in partnership with Olympus Technologies, are designed for quick setup. Businesses can install these systems and start reaping benefits within a single day.
- Scalability and Affordability: Solutions designed to be scalable, allowing businesses to start small and expand their automation capabilities as needed. This flexibility reduces the risks associated with automation and ensures affordability for smaller businesses.
- Comprehensive Support: To ensure businesses make the most of OnRobots automation solutions, it provides comprehensive training and support. This minimises disruption to operations and helps employees quickly adapt to new systems, allowing businesses to fully capitalise on the benefits of automation.
Driving Economic Growth and Competitiveness
Simplifying automation makes it easier for businesses to adopt technologies that provide tangible economic benefits. Automating repetitive tasks allows workers to focus on more complex, value-added activities, which increases productivity and operational efficiency.
Automation also enhances competitiveness. It enables businesses to reduce costs, improve quality, and deliver consistent results. As a result, SMEs that adopt automation are better positioned to compete on both a local and global scale. Additionally, automation opens new opportunities for innovation by enabling the development of advanced products and optimising processes.
Expert Insights
Christian Lyth, Area Sales Manager at OnRobot, emphasizes how removing barriers to automation is key: “Our goal is to eliminate the hurdles that have traditionally hindered automation adoption. With solutions like the AA:PALL palletizing system and CNC machine tending technology, businesses can automate with minimal disruption and achieve immediate benefits.”
James Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer at OnRobot, adds: “Our off-the-shelf solutions, which can be implemented in a single day, make automation both feasible and indispensable for UK businesses, helping them stay competitive in an increasingly automated global economy.”
Automation is essential for UK businesses to thrive in the future. By simplifying the process, OnRobot is enabling businesses of all sizes to adopt automation easily, driving growth and ensuring competitiveness in a rapidly changing economy.
