By Sherri Renberg, Global Integrated Marketing Manager, Emerson Automation Solutions
I’m sharing an unusual Analytic Expert post with you today. As you know, we typically discuss technologies and application solutions, but today I’m going to talk about delivery. You just need to spend a moment ordering something on Amazon Prime to know that the delivery expectations of people have changed enormously and what applies to consumers carries over into buyer expectations for industrial markets as well.
Companies and utilities no longer have the luxury of storing a lot of inventory to cover every maintenance crisis – budgets and storage capacity are limited. At the same time, the fallout from a process shutdown or slowdown can be costly, as can fines and penalties resulting from being in noncompliance with regulatory requirements because of the lack of a replacement part or instrument.
It’s also true that instrumentation manufacturers have worked very hard to make classic measurement science, like pH and conductivity, far more reliable while built-in diagnostics improve prediction of potential failure. As a result, users receive early warnings for potential failures and suffer far fewer unpredicted failures. Therefore, they are less likely to stock up on spare parts and instruments, even though an instrument failure could be extremely costly.
How do users solve the problem of higher risk? What can provide even less probability of an unplanned shutdown? How do plants balance and control inventory? The answer is delivery – right on time. Manufacturers are responding to the delivery needs of customers. A classic example is the new On Demand program from Emerson for delivery of many of your most-needed liquid analysis instruments and systems. On Demand lets you order instruments and receive them, often within 24 hours – check out the program.
If properly planned, rapid delivery can serve as more than an emergency solution. It can help a plant save money, space, and personnel time through inventory management.
How do you currently balance your risk and inventory? Does delivery strategy play a role?
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