So why should you use a system integrator instead of a manufacturer for your distribution center project? After all, a manufacturer knows the product best and will be able to give you the best price too, right?
Well, not always.
The main reason a system integrator is the best partner for your distribution center is their ability to choose. Integrators have flexibility to choose from different suppliers that will work best for you. This is opposed to a manufacturer trying to shoehorn a solution with one of the products they make.
Let’s explore these advantages:
Efficiency: Whether defined by cost or performance, system integrators can source the most efficient components for your application. Not all of the technologies that would yield the most efficient solution can be sourced from the same manufacturer. But why can’t manufacturers just integrate different technologies?
Bias: Even if some manufacturers say that they are free to use any competitor’s components, what are they more likely to push you towards? One of theirs, right? And who can blame them? They know the technology better; they make more money, and lower their risk by pushing something they make vs. buying it from a competitor. Which leads us to…
Competition: Manufacturers are less inclined to use a competitor’s technology. Obviously manufacturers are not in the business of helping their competitors by integrating their technology solutions; they are in the business of selling their own. System integrators, on the other hand, are not constrained in their choice of vendors since they aren’t really competing with the manufactures; the manufacturers are their suppliers.
Cost: Just because one manufacturer makes one component cheaper doesn’t mean that all their components are the best value. If manufacturer A makes an inexpensive #1 and #2 component, but #3 is expensive, and manufacturer B makes an inexpensive #3 and #4 but everything else costly, doesn’t it make sense to mix and match and save money? That’s where a system integrator help you can lower your aggregate system cost.
Experience: A good system integrator has a variety of experience with different technologies. Instead of being a manufacturer that has one set of solutions, a system integrator can have both the access to, and experience with a variety of technologies.
So what do you see as the best reasons to work with a distribution center system integrator vs. a manufacturer? Let us know by commenting below. And if you would like to talk to a system integrator about your distribution center project contact abco automation.
