October 23, 2024

Maintenance is key

Timely maintenance is the best way to prevent problems. E’Log Automation is an independent turnkey integrator with experienced service technicians who are well-versed in maintaining a wide range of systems and brands. But what does a typical service visit look like? And what happens when a specific part needs to be replaced? Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at our service department.

Prevention: better safe than sorry

Preventive maintenance involves carrying out scheduled tasks. ‘We visit existing installations by appointment,’ explains Arnold Melotte, head of Lifecycle Services at E’Log Automation. ‘This is done according to a detailed maintenance plan: the more intensively the system is used, the more maintenance it needs. Together with the client, we plan maintenance activities to minimise their impact on production, which is a major challenge. Many companies operate high-bay warehouses or cold storage facilities 24/7, leaving limited time for maintenance. Some clients prefer us to work at night or over the weekend, so we adjust our schedule accordingly.’

Houston, we have a problem

Unlike preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance is unplanned and happens when something goes wrong. ‘In this case, we have to act quickly,’ Arnold continues. ‘When production grinds to a halt due to a technical issue, production costs can skyrocket. That’s why most customers opt for a 24/7 standby contract in addition to a regular maintenance contract. They can contact a technician at any time, who will immediately assess the problem and determine whether it can wait until the next day. If not, the technician will come as quickly as possible.’

Proactive maintenance

A third type of maintenance is quickly gaining ground thanks to technological advancements: predictive maintenance. Smart software continuously monitors the system’s energy usage, vibrations and noise levels. If it detects unusual spikes or other anomalies, it sends an instant alert. ‘Think of it like the onboard computer of a car,’ explains Arnold. ‘We can use predictive maintenance to pinpoint potential problems and downtime before they happen. Our goal is to eventually provide clients with a dashboard where they can monitor their system’s health in real-time.’

No unpleasant surprises

In short, maintenance is like insurance against unexpected downtime. ‘When performing preventive maintenance, we always explain which spare parts our clients should keep in stock. This avoids unforeseen delays and extra costs. If a client’s production does come to a halt, we check our customer database to see if anyone else has that particular part on hand. We then borrow it temporarily to help the client in need. This approach has proven highly efficient.’

The bigger picture

Preventing issues before they arise is a core philosophy at E’Log Automation. ‘We always look at the big picture,’ says Arnold. ‘Our service department reviews the installation plan in the engineering phase to check whether the materials and individual parts are maintenance friendly. When an installation is sold, our service technicians accompany the engineers to get to know both the client and the installation. Sometimes, our engineers join the service team in the field to gain practical insights. This collaboration between teams works well!’