What Tips Would You Give a Customer Evaluating System Integrators?

When it comes to choosing a system integrator for your manufacturing operation, a thorough investigation is critical. Not all integrators are created equal. By carefully vetting potential partners, you ensure they not only understand your specific application and goals but also have a proven track record of delivering successful integrations. This due diligence minimizes risk, avoids costly missteps, sets the stage for a smoother implementation and long-term reliability... and makes sure you find someone you will actually enjoy working with.

Check out this video or read the transcript below:

look for a company that has years of experience in the market

If I were to give some tips to customers, as to what to look for in a reputable integrator (this is just my personal opinion). First of all, I would say look for a company that has years of experience in the market, or the top management has years of experience in the automation business. To me, that is critical. 

pay attention to how they are responding to your user requirements

Second, pay attention to how they are approaching and responding to your user requirements. Did they understand? Are they asking the right questions? Are they listening to you when there is a question? Are they interrupting you? Are they interested in solving your problem, or do they just want to sell you some equipment right there? This alone will tell you if they want to be a true partner or not. 

QUICK AND HONEST COMMUNICATion

Third, we do custom equipment, so when you do custom equipment, most likely you are going to have some hiccups along the way on the project. There are going to be some issues. What you want from your integrator is that they keep you informed, like right away, so you can plan accordingly. 

Don't just find the lowest investment

The next tip is, don’t buy the lowest price. In the end, you may end up paying a lot more money to fix the problem due to poor quality. 

pick the right size of integrator for your project

Next, pick the right integrator based on the size of the integrator to match your project. You have a project, and you go with a giant; most likely, they're not going to pay a lot of attention to you. Your project may be on the back burner. Conversely, if you go with a very small integrator, you will probably be late, and the quality may not be there. It's always critical that you pick the right size of integrator for your project. 

provide correct, thorough information

The next tip is to provide the right information to your supplier/integrator. Make sure you give them a complete URS, updated drawings, sample parts, etc., so they can quote exactly what you need. When you provide additional information after you issue a purchase order, it's just going to cost you more money, and the product is going to be delayed. It's important that you do your homework and provide that information. 

Don't discard an integrator solely based on market experience

It is okay to try to look for an integrator that has previous experience in your type of product, but I would not limit another integrator from participating because they have never done something similar to your product. They may come up with some very innovative ideas on how to do it right. So don’t discard them. 

thoroughly review the concept the integrator presents to you

When you review the concept the integrator presents to you, study it in detail, and make sure they have captured all your specifications. Challenge the integrator to make sure they are going to meet the cycle time that you require. You don't want to place a purchase order without doing your homework, making sure you study all the proposals and decide on the best one.  Also challenge them on how they are going to manage rejected parts. You don't want a piece of equipment that sends a rejected part as “good” to an end user. Some of them can have fatal consequences in our market. 

select a single point of contact

My final tip is to make sure you select a single point of contact that will be the main point of contact with the product manager of the integrator. Every time you have a decision by committee, it is a disaster. Trust someone within your organization to be a single point of contact, and that's the person who needs to make the final list of decisions.