Combat Equipment Obsolescence and Mitigate Workforce Transitions With Modernization
Modernization helps your business survive the challenges of equipment obsolescence, safety concerns, and even recurring workforce transitions. Upgrade your control and information systems to orient your operations toward a future of peak performance.
The Right Partner for the Right Project
Bringing fresh modernization to your system can feel like a risk. Rockwell Automation wants to help make the process smooth and seamless for you. By developing a plan, we can work together to meet your goals.
As the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, Rockwell Automation is the partner who:
- Helps provide long-term support throughout the lifecycle
- Leverages a global presence, with locations in more than 80 countries
- Offers leadership in Smart Manufacturing and Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) strategies
- Lends experience in helping achieve plant-wide optimization, machine builder performance, and sustainable production across a wide range of industries
- Gives access to a comprehensive network of partners, including Buckles-Smith and Allied Electric, providing products, technologies, application specialists, and distribution
Partner with Buckles-Smith to evaluate, plan and execute your automation system modernization project. The process involves an Installed Base Evaluation of your existing hardware and software to help you identify risks and opportunities. Rockwell Automation has a flexible approach in implementing modernization at the right time for your company, such as during scheduled downtime or as part of a phased approach. You can maintain productivity as you upgrade your system using modular automation coupled with backward compatibility.
Conversion Services
Helping You Get Your Aging Equipment on a Migration Path
Equipment is less reliable and more costly to maintain as it ages. Deciding whether to repair, replace or move to a new platform is a tough decision.
At Rockwell Automation, Conversion and Migration services help you weigh your options for addressing legacy equipment. We help you design and implement the ideal migration strategy for your facility, from project management to startup. Receive a complete upgrade solution (including hardware, software, software conversion engineering, and start-up services) for a fixed price.
Services are available to:
- Upgrade your operator interface with current technology (one-to-one)
- Replace an Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) drive with current technology (one-to-one)
- Replace a legacy controller with current technology (one-to-one)
- Update automation software and communication or Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology
- Convert an analog drive to its digital counterpart
Custom Modernization Plan to Fit Your Goals
Having a profitable, sustainable and safe operation is the goal of every industry. Rockwell Automation offers industry- and technology-specific expertise to help you overcome these challenges. Their in-house Global Solutions team works to meet your requirements by leveraging unique skills and Buckles-Smith connections. What does this mean for you? Dependable, scalable, and repeatable solutions for your specific needs.
It's important to introduce new technologies at a comfortable pace. The Modernization services incorporate these new technologies to reduce machine downtime and mitigate risk in maintaining legacy equipment.
A key to your success is front-end engineering and design (FEED) surveys. Front-end engineering and design delivers a project scope, cost estimate, overall budget, total cost ownership, implementation timeline, and risk analysis.
Phase Out Legacy Equipment With a Budgeted, Scheduled Modernization Service Agreement
Upgrading large installed base legacy equipment can be expensive. As an alternative, Rockwell Automation offers a Modernization Service agreement if you don't have the budget to fully upgrade right now. This allows you to upgrade to the latest technology while still balancing the cost restraints of your set budget. Includes modernization, program management, and support for a fixed fee.
Migration Tools and Support
Modern manufacturing requires a modern approach. Through Buckles-Smith, Rockwell Automation helps your operation migrate to newer technology and systems to cut operating costs, increase productivity and reduce downtime. These fundamental changes can help your production become more responsive and utilize the right data to make better decisions. As your electrical distributor, we have the tools and services you need to modernize your plant and migrate discontinued products.
Self-Service Tools
Knowledgebase
We partner with Rockwell Automation to bring you the Rockwell Knowledgebase tool for 24/7 technical assistance and information for all products. Get software patches, ask crucial questions, view application notes, and subscribe to produce and service email notifications.
Product Lifecycle Status Site
The Product Lifecycle Status tool gives you a way to search for the most accurate lifecycle status of any Allen-Bradley product. This is designed to simplify the process of migrating to the latest product.
Product Compatibility and Download Center (PCDC)
The Product Compatibility and Download Center checks for product firmware revisions and software version compatibility. You can download the correct firmware or software to fit your needs and register to receive proactive notifications on all product changes.
ProposalWorks
The ProposalWorks tool allows you to customize a control system bill of material according to your application needs. View the lifecycle status for every item, alongside recommendations for upgrading.
Products
FactoryTalk® AssetCentre is software designed to track automation assets across your operation. Scan the network to discover workstation computers and connect devices. Maintain a complete inventory of firmware, software, and hardware running in the plant.
Medium Voltage Field Modification Services
Field modernization is a lower-cost alternative to new capital expenditure when looking at different options for performance enhancement of medium voltage equipment. Ranging from simple hardware or software changes to complex system reconfigurations, an upgrade helps your equipment meet the demands of a new application.
Legacy Support and Lifecycle Extension
Trying to balance a modernization plan alongside capital investment and regulatory requirements is a challenge for any business. Rockwell Automation helps you identify and reduce automation obsolescence risk with migration planning. Through full-service assessments, online tools, and product notifications, the resources you need to mitigate risk are delivered.
All of the products are classified under one of four lifecycle stages:
- Active: includes most Buckles-Smith and Rockwell Automation products
- Active Mature: products that are fully supported, but a newer product exists
- End of Life: discontinued date has been announced for a product, and it's time to start migrations and last-time buys
- Discontinued: products that are no longer manufactured but repair or exchange services may be available
Legacy Support
Older equipment requires special attention. A modernization plan will help you decide whether to eliminate your obsolescence risk right away or to mitigate risk over time. If you need more time, the team will help you adopt a "phased migration" approach and support your legacy automation equipment. This includes spare parts management, reserved repair options, and preventative maintenance.
Lifecycle Extension Agreements
The Automation Lifecycle Extension Agreement is designed for legacy automation products you cannot immediately migrate. By entering this agreement, you help reduce financial risk and extended downtime. These services can include:
- Guaranteed repair support
- Legacy remote support
- Legacy spare parts
- Last-time buy options
- Embedded Lifecycle Engineers
- Many other critical support options
Trying to balance a modernization plan alongside capital investment and regulatory requirements is a challenge for any business. Rockwell Automation helps you identify and reduce automation obsolescence risk with migration planning. Through full-service assessments, online tools, and product notifications, the resources you need to mitigate risk are delivered.
All of the products are classified under one of four lifecycle stages:
- Active: includes most Buckles-Smith and Rockwell Automation products
- Active Mature: products that are fully supported, but a newer product exists
- End of Life: discontinued date has been announced for a product, and it's time to start migrations and last-time buys
- Discontinued: products that are no longer manufactured but repair or exchange services may be available
Legacy Support
Older equipment requires special attention. A modernization plan will help you decide whether to eliminate your obsolescence risk right away or to mitigate risk over time. If you need more time, the team will help you adopt a "phased migration" approach and support your legacy automation equipment. This includes spare parts management, reserved repair options, and preventative maintenance.
Lifecycle Extension Agreements
The Automation Lifecycle Extension Agreement is designed for legacy automation products you cannot immediately migrate. By entering this agreement, you help reduce financial risk and extended downtime. These services can include:
- Guaranteed repair support
- Legacy remote support
- Legacy spare parts
- Last-time buy options
- Embedded Lifecycle Engineers
- Many other critical support options
Services and Technical Support
Buckles-Smith and Allied Electric have an extensive technical support staff ready to help you troubleshoot problems and brainstorm potential opportunities for your operation. Our team of experts will help you every step of the way, from the initial quote to final order placement.