Calibration labs are deeply connected to the legacy processes and systems, and migration to a new system involves monetary and other resource investments. The decision to proceed with digital transformation should be based on a clear understanding of the returns on these investments.
It’s been in the news sometime back about how some Fortune 500 companies burned tonnes of money in digital transformation. Studies about these failures have categorically concluded that the root cause was the lack of a clear understanding of the outcomes.
Calibration labs need to be clear about the tangible outcomes before they go for digital transformation.
Let’s go through some of them.
Preparation of Certificates.
One of the time-consuming activities of calibration labs is the preparation of certificates after the calibration is done. In my experience, most calibration labs allocate at least two people for this task. It is very much possible to fully automate the process. The resources can be allocated to do the calibration process itself, thus enhancing the lab’s capacity to accommodate more clients.
More clients, more revenue. It has a direct impact on the top line.
Managing worksheets
Calibration labs usually end up using different excel sheets for each piece of equipment, make and model. Eventually, the lab ends up with too many sheets almost to unmanageable levels. An ideal digital solution will have generic sheets that can be used across multiple scenarios.
Saves lots of time needed for document management.
Save time on audit preparation
Lab audits are done every quarter and usually, the lab ends up spending 15 to 20 man-days in that period. Digitization will ensure data required for lab audits are collected and structured in the needed formats at any given point in time. This saves 14 to 18 man-days every quarter. That’s valuable manpower that the lab can reallocate to service more clients.
Again, more revenue.
Faster turnaround
We at Metquay are observing that our client labs are able to do the delivery in 3 to 4 days, and in many situations, they are able to do same-day delivery. As you are aware, the usual delivery time frame ranges from 10 to 15 days.
That’s a 70% improvement in turnaround time.
Impactful customer service
What used to be phone calls from customers to get their certificate copies, tracking corrections, and revisions are
transformed into a do-it-yourself activity by the customer. This means customers can download the certificates from a secure portal and track revision requests in real-time.
This has a direct positive impact on the cost of operations of the labs.
Repeat business
With digital transformation, it is possible to automatically remind customers well before the due date for the next calibration. This reminder process helps in bringing customers back to the labs.
Our customers have improved their repeat business from 70% to 95%.
By defining clear outcomes that directly impact the cost and revenue, calibration labs will be able to make sure they do not repeat the mistakes made by others. If done with proper vision and planning, digital transformation can really move up the station of your business.
If you would like to know more about the digital transformation possibilities of your calibration business, feel free to ping us at consulting@metquay.com. We are here to help you.
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