By Tony Cigarano
Alright, let’s get one thing clear. I don’t care how sleek or expensive your pre-roll machine is. If your crew ain’t trained right, that machine’s nothing but an overhyped paperweight. And trust me, I’ve seen this mistake more times than I can count.
The Horror Stories
Take this one operator I knew—dropped six figures on automation, thinking it would solve all their problems. But guess what? Their new machine didn’t come with much training.
The team couldn’t figure out the controls, the joints came out wrong, and production slowed to a crawl. The machine sat there collecting dust while they bled cash. All because no one knew how to use it.
Or the guy who thought one quick training session was enough. The machine went down, and nobody knew how to fix it. Every minute of downtime was costing him, and suddenly, that “fancy machine” looked like a bad investment.
Training Is a Lifeline, Not a One-Time Event
Here’s the truth: training isn’t something you do once and forget about. Tech evolves. Production needs shift. Your team has to stay sharp, or your investment turns into dead weight.
This is why you want to align with automation partners that provide onsite training and 24/7 tech support, so there’s NEVER a question of “How the hell do we make this machine work?”
Why Onsite Training Pays Off
A well-trained team is your secret weapon. They won’t just push buttons—they’ll fine-tune your operation, catch issues before they spiral, and keep things running smoothly.
Plus, trained staff can troubleshoot and fix minor issues, saving you from that dreaded downtime. Your machine is only as good as the people using it. The better they are, the better your ROI.
And if you do get into a pinch? Your automation vendor had better be a quick call away.
How to Make Sure Your Team’s Ready
Here’s a tip: choose an automation partner who’s as invested in your success as you are.
A good partner won’t just install the machine and walk away. They’ll offer rigorous, onsite training. They’ll make sure your crew can handle anything that comes their way.
Don’t Let Training Sink Your Investment
So here’s the bottom line: if you’re pre-roll automation partner doesn’t have your back on training and tech support in general, you’re asking for trouble.
You’re better off aligning with an automation team that has a proven track record and that will have your back every step of the way.