By Tony Cigarano
Automation is like bringing a new player onto the team. But don’t get it twisted—this player ain’t here to replace the rest of the squad. It’s here to help everyone else step up their game.
Problem is, a lot of folks out there see automation as a way to cut corners on labor, when what they should be seeing is how it shifts the way the whole operation runs. If you’re not ready for that, you’re in for a rude awakening.
Automation Doesn’t Replace People—It Redefines Their Roles
First things first: automation ain’t about replacing your people. It’s about enhancing what they can do. Sure, the machines take over the repetitive, time-consuming tasks, but that doesn’t mean you’re gonna cut your staff in half and call it a day. What it does mean is that your team is freed up to focus on the things that really matter—the stuff that requires human creativity, problem-solving, and a sharp eye.
Think about it. Instead of wasting hours on manual pre-rolls, your employees can focus on quality control, optimizing processes, and making sure the operation runs smoother than a well-oiled machine. But to get there, you’ve got to be willing to change how you see their roles. If you try to force a pre-automation mindset onto a post-automation setup, you’re just gonna frustrate your team and lose out on the potential benefits.
Evolving Roles: Who’s Doing What Now?
So, what does this new landscape look like? For starters, the folks who used to be rolling pre-rolls by hand might now be overseeing the machines, making sure everything’s running right. Your quality control team? They’ve still got a job, but now it’s more about spot-checking and less about hands-on production. And let’s not forget about your tech-savvy folks—they’re gonna be your new MVPs, ensuring those machines are calibrated, maintained, and upgraded when needed (Hefestus has your back here, too).
The key is to understand that just because the tasks are changing doesn’t mean the people are any less valuable. In fact, they’re even more crucial because they’re the ones keeping the whole system humming. So don’t just throw automation into the mix and expect everything to fall into place. Take the time to train your people, redefine their roles, and make sure everyone knows how they fit into the new setup.
Choose the Right Partner, Not Just the Right Machine
Let’s talk about something a lot of folks overlook: choosing the right automation partner. This ain’t like buying a car where you drive it off the lot and hope it runs smooth for the next five years. Automation in production is a dynamic, ongoing process. You need a partner who’s gonna be there not just for the sale, but for the long haul—someone who understands your operation, your challenges, and your goals.
A good automation partner isn’t just gonna drop off a machine and disappear. They’ll help you integrate it, train your team, and work with you to make sure the whole operation adapts smoothly. They’ll be there when you hit a snag and need some troubleshooting. So when you’re shopping around, don’t just focus on the hardware—focus on the support. That’s what’s gonna make the difference between success and a mess.
Preparing for the Shift: It’s Not Just About the Machines
At the end of the day, bringing in automation is like a domino effect. It changes everything from your production floor to your back-office operations. You can’t just buy a machine and call it a day; you’ve gotta prepare your whole operation for the shift. That means talking to your team, reworking processes, and making sure everyone understands how the pieces fit together.
Change isn’t easy, but if you’re willing to evolve, the payoff is huge. Automation isn’t just a tool—it’s a catalyst that can push your whole business forward. But it starts with how you handle the change.
Get your team and your operation ready for the shift. Here’s how: 5 Risks to Consider Before You Embrace Pre-Rol Automation
