Looking for Flexible Automation Answers?

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Being industry veterans, we understand that there are always ways to make operations more efficient. In the past, consultants and designers sought to optimize individual workflows within an organization or facility. But this can lead to bottlenecks and fragile support structures because it doesn’t take into account how the building works as a whole system. Here at logistiXauto, we believe that our design methodology offers a better solution. We create an overall operational flow that results in steady operations, consistent throughput, and greater flexibility through automation. Our goal is simple: move the right product to the right  place at the right pace for the right price. Let’s break down how we do it. 

At logistiXauto, we are leading the industry in creating holistic design solutions that maximize efficiency. Our methodologies go beyond individual workflow optimization to take into consideration how each component of your facility interacts as part of a larger system. This results in seamless operations and greater flexibility through automation for customers who prioritize steady throughput at optimal prices. We ensure the product is delivered where it needs to be when it needs to be there - all without sacrificing cost or quality control measures!

Our Process: People First

The key to our success lies in our process: we start with people and what value they create. We recognize that people are essential components to any successful business. People comprise the largest cost component but more importantly, they are the point of value-creation in a properly automated system. They are the point of value creation in the properly automated system because that is when people are able to focus on the tasks of their highest and best use of time. 

Human capital has become one of the most difficult resources to secure and grow in recent years. Developing a high-performance work environment in the logistics space has been difficult for many companies. One way to focus on the people side of the business is to be really clear about what people do to create value and have them focus on these tasks. 

That’s why we focus on designing systems that will support them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Once we have identified what kind of support people need, then we move on to processes. 

Processes Before Automation

If people are the most important part of the system then shouldn't we design processes that support them? That is why we place people as the first step in the process to define what makes them successful. Then we look at what processes, policies, and procedures supporting the people performing their value-creating tasks.  

We use processes as a foundation for automating operations within a facility or organization. By understanding where employees need help, what tasks should be automated, and which tasks require human oversight, we can create processes that maximize efficiency while still allowing for creativity and customization across departments and teams. After processes are established, then comes automation – which is where true optimization happens.  

Processes, policies, and procedures that do not support people at the center of the design methodology create incongruent workplaces. One way we find this out is by working to understand the workarounds in place by operations teams on the floor. We all know there are workarounds in operations that people know how to shortcut at 2 am when no one is there to force operational processes that don't work. Why don't we just design those concerns into the standard process? 

We place processes, policies, and procedures in the middle of the design philosophy to ensure that we make them additive to the design process instead of driving design choices or constraints. To ensure workflow efficiency and effectiveness, decisions made regarding operational and automation alterations should be informed by processes rather than driven solely by them. 

After Process then comes Automation

Only after the value-creating activities have been deeply defined and understood, the processes, policies, and procedures have been defined that support the people... then you can define what automation, technology, or software systems are viable. The design technology or automation in any other order would be putting the cart before the proverbial horse, or at worst it could be building a bridge to nowhere. How many of us have seen processes automated and made more efficient that were simply a faster disaster? 

With a clear definition of where we are going and why,, it is time to look across the industry to build the right mix of technology into the system. Using a systems approach and design thinking we look holistically to understand how automated each step should be to allow for a true flow process to be introduced. Historically facilities have been architected to be either a push or a pull method. We believe flow is better.  

Why Flow?

Our thinking can be summarized this way... When you throw a rock into a pond you see the ripples move out in all directions. Adding automation into a facility does the same thing. That means you need to account for upstream changes and downstream changes. Then we can level-set the overall flow patterns for the building. The US Military has an old adage that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. When adopted by logistics and manufacturers we can consistent and predictable flow.  

Another example of why flow is important...think about traffic. How efficient is it when we are driving at 70mph on the interstate and hit traffic going 45mph for no reason? We all bunch up and are grumpy because we are not going with the flow. Automating independent parts of facility will put fast parts of the operation next to very slow parts of the operation, which creates this issue. Taking the whole operation into account will create overall flow that solves this. 

The Output:

Operations are a marathon, not a sprint – and our design methodology reflects this fact by focusing on long-term optimization rather than short-term gains based on individual workflows within an organization or facility. Our adopted philosophy of “slow is smooth and smooth is fast” takes into account both people and processes in order to create a system of automation that enhances efficiency while also providing organizations with flexibility when needed. If you want your operations to run like clockwork while also saving money in labor costs, then contact us today! We look forward to helping you achieve your goals!