How Our Robots Deliver Positive ROI
Businesses today seek ways to improve productivity, significantly reduce manual labour, and quickly adapt to changing market demands.
Automation, particularly using collaborative robots and industrial automation equipment, is widely recognised for delivering significant cost savings, efficiency gains, and improved quality.
At Olympus Technologies, established in 1987, we specialise in Industrial and Collaborative Robotics, Automation, and Welding Technologies.
Our robots help businesses achieve a positive ROI by automating repetitive tasks, improving reliability, and enhancing production processes.
Why ROI of Automation Matters to Decision Makers
Return on investment (ROI) is a major focus for decision-makers evaluating automation solutions.
Accurate calculation of automation ROI is crucial, ensuring organisations clearly see cost savings, increased efficiency, and improved productivity before committing to an initial investment.
Olympus Technologies provides robotic automation equipment designed specifically to deliver tangible benefits, offering organisations a clear and efficient payback period.
Manual Processes vs. Automated Testing: The Robotics Advantage
Companies often evaluate manual processes against automated testing when considering productivity enhancements.
Manual Processes
- Best for: Tasks requiring human insight, such as complex manual test cases (processes).
- Challenges: Labour-intensive, limited test coverage, prone to errors, difficult to scale to hundreds of thousands of parts.
Automated Processes (Robotics)
- Best for: Repetitive tasks, extensive test scripts, large-scale production.
- Benefits: Improved reliability, enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, significant increase in productivity.
Olympus Technologies’ robots efficiently automate repetitive tasks such as welding, machine tending, press brake tending, case packing, and palletising, significantly reducing manual effort and labour costs.
Factors Impacting Automation ROI
Decision makers should account for the following factors when evaluating automation ROI:
- Task Complexity: Robots excel at automating repetitive tasks, freeing up manual labour.
- Initial Investment: Accurately calculate the total system cost, including automation equipment and installation.
- System Integration: Ensure seamless integration with existing processes and software.
- Maintenance Costs: Consider ongoing costs for regular equipment maintenance and updates.
Evaluating these factors ensures your robotic investment quickly delivers positive ROI.
Understanding the Total System Cost of Robotic Automation
Investing in robotic automation involves several costs:
- Automation Equipment Costs: Purchase of industrial or collaborative robots.
- Training Costs: Ensuring testers and operators have the required skills.
- Integration Costs: Costs for incorporating robots with current business processes.
- Maintenance Costs: Regular servicing and software updates for consistent performance and reliability.
Olympus Technologies clearly outlines these considerations to help organisations accurately calculate ROI and avoid hidden costs.
Example of Positive ROI Calculation
Businesses typically calculate ROI for robotic automation as follows:
Example:
- Assuming Current manual labour and manual testing costs: £100,000 annually.
- Assuming Automation saves: £60,000 per year.
- Assuming Initial robotic investment: £80,000.
Year 1 ROI Calculation:
The ROI becomes positive in year two as savings continue, highlighting a clear and rapid return on investment.
Additional Intangible Benefits of Automation
Beyond direct cost savings, robotic automation delivers intangible benefits:
- Employee Satisfaction: Employees spend less time on monotonous tasks, focusing instead on higher-value projects.
- Operational Scalability: Organisations easily adapt production to meet changing market demands.
- Consistent Quality: Automation ensures consistent high-quality performance, improving customer satisfaction.
These intangible benefits enhance overall business value and customer retention.
Adapting to Changing Market Demands with Automation
Automation enables businesses to:
- Increase Production Capacity: Meet growing market demands without additional manual labour.
- Ensure Consistent Quality: Maintain quality across all products and processes.
- Efficiently Scale Operations: Rapidly scale operations with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR, 2022) confirms robotics as vital for businesses striving for market competitiveness.
Robotics Solutions by Olympus Technologies
Olympus Technologies delivers high-quality robotic turnkey projects, including:
- Welding
- Laser Welding
- Machine Tending
- Press Brake Tending
- Case Packing
- Palletising
- Laser Marking
- Dispensing
- Quality Inspection
With extensive expertise, our robotic solutions guarantee efficiency, reliability, and positive automation ROI.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Robotic Automation Investments
- Ignoring Accurate ROI Calculation: Always base investment decisions on realistic and precise ROI analyses.
- Underestimating Maintenance Needs: Factor regular maintenance costs into the total system cost.
- Overlooking Training Costs: Provide adequate training to ensure staff efficiently manage and operate robotic equipment.
Olympus Technologies Customers ROI Benefits
- Productivity Improvements: In many cases our customer has seen 4 x productivity improvements. The Expanded Metal Company have seen the welding of their fence posts reduce to 1 minute 30 seconds per post from five to six minutes.
- Quality Improvements & Less Waste: Many of our customer report quality improvements such as less spatter and less product wasted due to the efficiency of the automation processes.
- Focus On Higher Priority Tasks: Nearly all of our customer report being able to move staff onto higher priority tasks, enabling them to take on contracts with higher margins improving their ROI. Storth Machinery have been able to reallocate staff away from basic welding tasks and on to specialist fabrication jobs.
- Overcoming labour shortage: The UK is facing widespread labour shortages, with businesses struggling to fill vacancies and a significant number reporting difficulties recruiting. Many of our customers have combated this issue by investing in automation.
- Ergonomic improvements: Our customer has reported many ergonomic improvements which have reduced workplace injuries by reducing the need for manual lifting, pushing, pulling and stretching.
- Extending production hours: Our customers have been able to extend production hours through longer days and lights out working.
FAQs
1. What is test automation ROI?
Test automation ROI measures the financial return from automating test cases, factoring in initial costs, ongoing maintenance, and time spent compared to manual labor.
2. What are the initial costs associated with automating a process?
The initial costs typically include purchasing automation equipment, licensing software, and training staff to manage fully automated processes.
3. How does automation reduce manual labour in an organisation?
Automation significantly reduces manual labour by handling repetitive tasks efficiently, freeing employees to focus on higher-value projects, thus improving productivity.
4. How many test cases (processes) should be automated for a successful business case?
There's no certain number; however, businesses generally start seeing significant benefits when automating a high volume of repetitive or complex test cases (processes), typically ranging from dozens to hundreds of thousands.
Conclusion: Why choose Olympus Technologies' to automate your solutions?
Olympus Technologies provides robotic automation solutions offering significant cost savings, enhanced productivity, and consistent quality—clearly demonstrating a positive ROI. With our tailored solutions and expert support, your business can rapidly experience the full benefits of automation.
Ready to maximise your business efficiency through automation? Contact Olympus Technologies today.
