As an organization in the sale, rental and service of machinery and/or equipment, a powerful equipment management system is enormously important. But you can get even more out of your automation by creating interfaces with other applications, both internal and external. This increases productivity, reduces errors and lowers costs.
Describe the interface in detail
You create an interface between your equipment management system and another application to make processes faster and easier. Consider, for example, ordering parts from a supplier where you place daily orders. An interface will save time and costs. Here, do not underestimate the importance of describing the interface correctly. Down to the smallest detail you need to work out what you are going to develop, why you are doing it and how much time (and therefore money) it will cost to develop this interface. With a good description you avoid getting into trouble later because of an interface that does not meet expectations or has been much more expensive to realize.
Calculate the Return On Investment
Make a case for yourself in which you compare the costs and benefits of the interface. The costs are mainly the initial investment in developing the interface, but possibly also costs for maintaining the interface. The benefits are a bit more complicated. These, as mentioned, come in terms of time savings, error reduction and cost reduction. For example, try quantifying the value of 15 minutes of time saved daily by the employee ordering parts from a supplier. If you have a positive return on investment over a period of time that is acceptable to you, that justifies developing the interface.
"Properly translate the desire from the business into a technologically strong solution."
Think about the future
The interface should be interesting not only in the present, but also in the future. A few questions to ask yourself:
- Will I continue to work with my current equipment management system for the next few years?
- Will the technology still be applicable a few years from now?
- Will I still be working with the other system/vendor/partner a few years from now?
- When upgrading my equipment management system, what is required to include the interface in the project?
Bring technology and business together
The realization of an interface stems from desires of the business, but is a project in which technology plays a leading role. The key to success is to bring these two worlds together. Properly translate the desire from the business into a technologically strong solution. Business and technology are different worlds and different people. For example, it could be your parts manager who is going to consult with your software partner's developer. By coordinating this properly, you get the optimal result.
