Increased Outsourcing of Automation Development

19 August, 2020 | Industrial Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Automation Systems, Automation Development, Outsourcing

---

Industrial automation systems aren’t created overnight. Rather, they are the culmination of endless hours of planning, research, and engineering. Most companies rely on internal talent to complete this process. 

However, recent years have seen an uptick in the outsourcing of automation development. There are many reasons that a company might want to offload some of the work involved with setting up and maintaining their automated systems. 

In the coming years, this trend will likely continue across the industry. 

---

---

Eliminating Repetitive Tasks

Those involved with automation know that setting up a system involves a lot of repetition. In-house teams typically possess lots of skills that are often wasted by doing the same tasks over and over. Outsourcing this part of automation development can help free up team members for more valuable work. 

For instance, rather than focusing on the repetitive tasks of developing an automation system, engineers can address specific flaws and create targeted solutions for areas of failure along a production line. 

This not only saves time but can actually make in-house employees more efficient. Oftentimes, repetitive tasks are monotonous and tedious. Over time, that dulls an employee’s sense of creativity and problem-solving skills. 

For engineers, that’s highly problematic. Outsourcing some of the more repetitive tasks that need to be completed can help in-house employees stay sharp and operate at maximum efficiency. 

Growing at Scale

Sometimes, a company is ready to grow and scale its systems before it is able to acquire the talent it needs to do so. This is another example of how outsourcing can be incredibly helpful. 

When a business chooses to outsource its automation development, it is able to get to market quicker than competitors who choose to work solely with in-house employees. As anyone in the industrial field can attest, getting to market early is a key determinant in a business’s success. 

Using outsourcing allows companies to react fluidly and quickly to changes in demand without the need to scramble for in-house talent. While they interview and seek out the best workers, they can take advantage of outsourcing to start scaling up. Eliminating this delay is crucial for companies that see demand outpacing their ability to draw in new high-caliber employees. 

---

---

Reducing Costs

Of course, one of the more obvious benefits to outsourcing automation development is the financial savings. Typically, work is outsourced internationally where a competent workforce can be accessed at a much lower price point. 

On the flip side, companies do take some degree of risk when they choose to outsource their automation development. Some level of quality control is often sacrificed when working with an agency or employees outside of the organization. Simply put, they may not be as trained or as motivated to do a great job. 

So, why are more and more companies choosing out outsource? 

The answer is that automation development outsourcing is quickly catching on. This means there are more highly-skilled people available to outsource the work to who can get the job done accurately and on time. 

Many people tend to see outsourcing and automation as mutually exclusive. After all, what do you have to outsource if you are already automating your systems? Those people often forget to account for the amount of work that goes into developing an automated process. 

By outsourcing that work, companies are able to save money, scale faster, and save their in-house talent for more important tasks. These are all significant advantages. As such, they are driving a growing trend where companies choose to outsource their automation development. It is one that will likely continue in the future as better and more effective outsourcing options arise. 

---