Automation has been a buzzword for several years now, though some people still only vaguely understand what it means. Simply put, automation is the use of technology, automatic equipment, machines or robots to perform tasks traditionally performed by humans. It has and will continue to change the way we do business across all industries. Read on for some of the ways automation is changing various businesses today:
Automation increases productivity and output, and streamlines processes and improves accuracy. It also saves a lot of time. One industry that has benefited from the time saving aspect of automation is the laundry business. Busy customers who don’t have enough time to do household chores can simply walk into a store and get all their laundry done in less than an hour.
Continental Girbau, a company that makes automating laundry possible by supplying laundry equipment, offers a variety of express washers and dryers. These highly efficient machines get the job done quickly and effectively, making laundry extremely convenient for the customer.
For industrial laundry, Continental Girbau offers a 5-in-1 ironing system that quickly feeds, irons, folds and stacks material at speeds of up to 50 feet per minute. That’s a lot of work done in a short amount of time thanks to automation.
Automation makes it possible for tasks to be performed identically, resulting in consistent, high quality results. This is especially helpful in factories and the manufacturing industry. Customers are happy when they can depend on the quality of their products, and are more likely to keep returning when they know they can expect reliable quality and service from a company.
Another way automation has impacted the manufacturing industry is by improving worker safety. Worker safety is one of the most compelling reasons for automating an industrial task. Automated systems make it possible to remove workers from dangerous or potentially hazardous environments.
They can also reduce the average number of hours factory workers work per week. This is a good thing because many factory workers are overworked, which can be detrimental to their health and can cause them to produce poor quality work.
Workflow automation has made it possible for companies to better define and streamline their business processes. Unnecessary or redundant tasks are eliminated, the process steps are realigned to optimize the flow of information throughout each department. This can significantly reduce turnaround times for both employees and external customers.
One of the biggest advantages of automation is precision and accuracy. This can be extremely beneficial in the healthcare industry where patients’ lives depend on getting accurate diagnoses and specific treatments. Developers are continually working on deep learning algorithms that will allow machines to help physicians identify diseases faster and more accurately, resulting in better treatment.
Precision, accuracy and safety are all also important in the transportation industry. Millions of injuries and deaths happen each year as the result of vehicular accidents due to human error. Self-driving cars and transportation can help reduce these numbers drastically. Self-driving trucks are also predicted to soon be utilized, saving companies millions of dollars a year and providing a safer means of transporting freight and cargo.
Many people find the idea of automation intimidating or worrisome. They fear that machines will render human workers obsolete. However, research has shown that automation works best when machines work alongside humans. Robots will complement humans, not replace them. In short, don’t be afraid to embrace automation—it will make your life easier and can significantly impact your business for the better.