The question we get asked when we engage with potential new clients is, “What makes Eclipse Automation different from its competitors?” And we’re happy to tell them. The scenario below tells the story of one client’s experience that is common to many.

Vertical integration means accurate lead time, managed schedules, and greater quality control

When Rob needed to source and select an automation partner, he drafted a list of criteria to guide him in his search and to help him compare one candidate to another. On his list were considerations, such as how much experience the company had in the processes his project required and what the size and depth of the resource were, relative to the project scope. As he got further into his research, it became clear to him that there were questions that were even more critical to finding a partner that would deliver his custom automation project.  

Do they have control over every aspect of the project?

After talking with several automation companies, Rob learned that Eclipse Automation, part of Accenture, is vertically integrated, which gave him confidence that his project would be completed when he needed it and to his exact standards. With Eclipse, he learned that all services, including engineering, machining, fabrication, panel build, assembly, installation and service were all done in house, and therefore, were all within the control of Eclipse’s expert people.

By contrast, Rob found that other automation companies subcontract the machining, fabrication, electrical panel build, and in some cases, even after-sales service. What concerned him with this model was that with those phases of the project being taken out of house, it meant that they would be out of the control of the automation company, and that could easily translate into missed milestones on the project schedule.

With Eclipse’s vertical integration he knew that he would be getting an end-to-end solution, and most importantly, he would be partnering with a company that had full control over the schedule because 100 percent of the tasks on the critical path activities would happen inside an Eclipse facility.

Will they meet timelines and quality standards?

Rob discovered that a big plus was that Eclipse would quote an accurate lead time because they had full oversight and visibility of resources, which means they can expedite machining. They wouldn’t have to rely on an estimate of a subcontractor.

Equally important, the quality of the solution from Eclipse would be monitored and maintained consistently because tooling would be made in house, and there was the added benefit of Eclipse’s in-house metrology, which allows them to verify the tolerance of every part after it is machined and/or fabricated and prior to assembly. He had confidence that he would get a properly functioning piece of equipment delivered on time.

Are they flexible?

Rob’s project involved a new product launch, so he knew there was potential for change in part designs, and the need for new automated processes could present itself. With Eclipse’s in-house machining capabilities, he knew that they could control and prioritize assemblies, mitigating any risk of lost time or increased costs that could happen with an automation partner who could not adapt to machine design requirements.

The Frontrunner

After looking into a number of potential automation companies, Rob saw that there was one who was out in front. He partnered with Eclipse for his project for a number of reasons. Chief among them was that he could see that Eclipse has made the investment and commitment to have all phases of the project in house and under their control, which means they deliver on time and on budget.