The challenges of today
The modern industrial sector faces several challenges. The quality of machines is no longer a distinguishing factor, as competitors with lower costs deliver high-quality products. This has led to falling prices and increasing warranty clauses, putting pressure on gross margins.
Additionally, there is a continuous struggle for talent, with machine builders and users finding it difficult to attract qualified PLC programmers. The shift of intellectual property increasingly towards software necessitates keeping automated systems cyber secure.
The way forward: Rethinking after-sales service
Lenze proposes to rethink after-sales service and transform it into a strategic project within companies. Where service today is often limited to parts sales and reactive support, Lenze envisions a future where service revolves around providing the best machine productivity. Machine builders possess the knowledge and data needed to realise this transformation.
Read the full article in DPA's December 2024 issue