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Home / News & Insights / Don’t Hire a System Integrator Until You Have the Right Answers to These Critical Questions
Integrating a controls systems in a process and/or packaging line is a complex undertaking. Many companies claim the ability to perform it, but far fewer can claim that they do it well.
If you are in the market to build a new line or upgrade an existing one by integrating new equipment centers or enhanced automation and controls, asking the right questions of your prospective integrator and getting the right answers is critical to optimal performance and maximum return on investment.
So here is a starter set of questions and the reasons that each is important.
If not, they will need a good functional description or a description of operation to write the code.
This can get into a long-term licensing or support contracts for future upgrades if proprietary code is used. Other firms may not be able to support the system in the future.
If the code is proprietary, only the integrator will be able to provide support in the future.
The programmer has more ownership in the code they write if they go onsite to commission the system.
Some integrators will only provide you with the system they are selling and not what you need.
Not all integrators want to deviate from their standard systems and incorporate client standards.
Some integrators will write ActiveX and other code that is required for the system. This can be an issue when you want to upgrade the system in the future.
Some integrators will sacrifice system performance for flashy graphics and look and feel.
Not all integrators understand the end products of their systems or the requirements to produce them.
Most software and hardware manufacturers will provide guidelines or best practices. If the system is not designed within these guidelines, manufacturer support can be an issue.
Not all integrators understand the codes and regulations of the agencies that oversee a product such as 3-A, Project Management Office (PMO), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), etc.
You want a system that your maintenance team can support to prevent frequent calls to the integrator for service and support.
Onsite and remote support are sometimes needed to work through an issue. You want to make sure you have someone to contact in a time of need.
You want a system your team can maintain and run when all the contractors have left the site. Training is one way to make sure your team is ready.
Not all integrators listen to the client. You will get the system they have, but you may not want.
In today’s environment, systems must be able to track product genealogy and usage.
You want to be able to protect system operations based on the needs of your facility.
With more than 300 engineers specializing in process, packaging and material handling, Haskell and its subsidiary Seiberling provide the collaborative and holistic experience that few if any competitors can. To learn more about automation capabilities, contact Jeff Pearse, Design Director – Consumer Packaged Goods Process Engineering at jeff.pearse@haskell.com.
Haskell delivers $2± billion annually in Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) and Consulting solutions to assure certainty of outcome for complex capital projects worldwide. Haskell is a global, fully integrated, single-source design-build and EPC firm with over 2,400 highly specialized, in-house design, construction and administrative professionals across industrial and commercial markets. With 25+ office locations around the globe, Haskell is a trusted partner for global and emerging clients.
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