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FEBRUARY 2026 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 91 Find us online at: technica.com Choose an Experienced Partner Whether you are a manufacture in the PCB Fab- rication, Assembly, Substrate, or Semiconduc- tor markets, it's important to have an automa- tion partner that is experienced in analyzing and examining your current processes to help = experienced in analyzing your current pro- cesses that helps choose the best robotic and cell layout solutions. Working with a company that has implemented full scale automation into similar companies is key to designing a solution that you desire. Clearly Define Your Short- and Long- term Vision for Employing Automation Are you considering automation for certain purposes such as lowering operating costs, improved work safety, reduced factory lead times, increased production output, improved quality, or achieving a smart factory environ- ment? Understanding your goals short- and long-term will determine the level of hardware and software tools required to meet your goals and achieve a desired outcome. Align Your Goals With Your Budget to Execute an Automation Solution It takes a certain level of commitment as it relates to the investment of time and capital 1 2 3 4 5 Since 1985, Technica, U.S.A. has been providing the electronics marketplace with innovative products manufactured by the world's leading suppliers that provide our customers with technological advantages for producing complex electronic products. to implement a smart factory solution. Quickly you begin to recognize your ROI will be based on a sound understanding of how to plan, create, and define the implementation. Evaluate the Structure of Your IT Landscape Connectivity, tracking, controlling, and analyz- ing are major steps in implementing a smart factory concept. Having an IT structure that can support the data journey is also important in achieving a smart factory. Data management, factory intelligence, material process control, implementation of tools on the shop floor such as factory dashboards, advanced planning and scheduling, are outcomes of your data journey. Position Yourself for the Journey of Benefitting from Big Data Gathering data is a benefit of adding automa- tion and connecting it to other equipment in the manufacturing process. Seamlessly shar- ing the collected data with enterprise software (ERP, MRP, PLM, MES, MOM) is where meaningful data will be gained to better control your pro- cesses and improve productivity. Having the personnel and software resources are impor- tant in recognizing the benefit of big data.