We generally think about large corporates when we hear the words ‘manufacturing’ and ‘automation’. But did you know these words are just as important for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)? Especially in Singapore where SMEs account for around two-thirds of all employment, contributing almost 200 billion SGD to Singapore’s economy in 2018.

Automation is one of the biggest step-changes in the manufacturing industry, Singapore’s largest industry that contributes to 22 per cent of its 2018 GDP. Our new digital era brings about numerous opportunities for SMEs in terms of growth and efficiency.

Many SMEs, however, find it challenging to cross the digital threshold. Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy transformation, found that many SMEs spent half their maintenance time for finding information and ended up making actual interventions on the equipment with the other half. Automation must also be cost-effective and scalable to meet the varying needs of SMEs. 

This is where Schneider Electric’s Jumpstart Automation Package comes in.

Launched in August at the SME Go Automation Singapore event, this package comprises a wide range of applications that make automation simple by performing tasks ranging from providing tool change instructions at a manufacturing line to obtaining live alarms and data from process and machines.

In short, it is a plug-and-play starter package for SMEs to start their automation journey. 

The Jumpstart Automation Package aims to deliver the following benefits for SMEs:

• Use augmented reality to find critical information faster and gain the ability to open the electrical cabinet doors virtually to avoid unnecessary machine downtime.

• Prepare the organization for workforce transformation and digital workforce by leveraging on digital learning tools.

• Track machines in operation remotely and monitor performance data while reducing support costs by up to 50 per cent

The package includes the EcoStruxure Augmented Operator Advisor (AOA) and the EcoStruxure Machine Advisor (MA). Each package includes deployment guidance (including consultancy and assessment review of current state of automation, site survey and configuration proposal, and User Acceptance Test), hardware, software and tailored on-site workshop.  

Benefits of the EcoStruxure AOA package include improvement in overall machine efficiency to reduce downtime, speedier operation and maintenance, fewer human errors and improvements in worker competency and efficiency. 

Meanwhile, the EcoStruxure MA package aims to help SMEs to achieve better management and accountability with condition-based monitoring and remote cloud-based solution. The benefits of this package include 3 – 5 per cent increase in productivity, 30 to 50 per cent reduction of machine downtime and 45 to 55 per cent optimised use of expertise and know-how. 

“Acceptance and adoption of automation technology amongst SMEs require not just a review of existing operations, but a consistent and concerted effort to drive adoption of these solutions,” said Urvil Modi, Vice-President of Industry Automation for Schneider Electric Singapore and Malaysia at the launch event. 

“At Schneider Electric, we see ourselves as an enabler for SMEs to take their first step in automation. A scalable automation package is important to help SMEs ensure that their transformation process is sustainable,” he added.