Mark Buskell
Member
I am going to look at some equipment Monday and decide the best way to automate it. It fairly simple, hot and cold water coming in, raise water temp to setpoint (setpoints from operator display), after reaching setpoint, divert valve from drain and fill tank to (x) # of gallons thru flow meter.
My question is not about automating it but about what tips to look for in a plant you have never been to. I have been advised to look around and check how much other automation that may already have. If they already have a bunch of other automation, they make be more inclined to more bells and whistles and better equipment (higher quote = higher profits). If they are manually doing everything, you may want to keep it very simple and not scare them with the quote price.
This is some type of food plant and the reason we are quoting it is that a salesman recommended us. There is not much others details yet. I guess he will want to use the parts he reps (GE controls, not AB, Redline display) . The salesman will be with me also.
I also realize that this may be a good chance to get our feet in the door here. We are also a small company and cannot afford to lose much money like some larger companies due on new customers.
What other things do you look for when sizing up a new customer?
My question is not about automating it but about what tips to look for in a plant you have never been to. I have been advised to look around and check how much other automation that may already have. If they already have a bunch of other automation, they make be more inclined to more bells and whistles and better equipment (higher quote = higher profits). If they are manually doing everything, you may want to keep it very simple and not scare them with the quote price.
This is some type of food plant and the reason we are quoting it is that a salesman recommended us. There is not much others details yet. I guess he will want to use the parts he reps (GE controls, not AB, Redline display) . The salesman will be with me also.
I also realize that this may be a good chance to get our feet in the door here. We are also a small company and cannot afford to lose much money like some larger companies due on new customers.
What other things do you look for when sizing up a new customer?