Unmatched Support and Services: What You Get with Allen-Bradley Drives

Allen Bradley is a leading brand under Rockwell Automation, and is renowned for its extensive range of automation equipment which includes PLCs, HMIs, sensors, safety equipment, software, drives, and motor control systems. With all these products, various management and training, services and support are needed for optimum, reliable and sustainable user experience. This article covers various customer support and services offered by Allen-Bradley.

Plant and Machine Maintenance Services for Enhanced Reliability

A good Asset Management Strategy helps better asset availability, boosts Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and saves Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) expenses. Following are some of the Key Benefits of the Industrial Asset Management services provided by Allen-Bradley:

• Lower MRO costs, yet enhanced storeroom processes.
• Access to essential spares for minimizing downtime.
• Mitigation of obsolescence risks.
• Technology upgrades with modernization projects.

Cost Effective Inventory Management

Proper management of inventory is not only essential for operational continuity but it empowers any organization with greater cost control. Allan-Bradley’s Inventory services are so planned that they streamline the repair and inventory process, and hence ensure reliability and cost efficiency.

Major Offerings:

• Undisturbed access to needed spare parts.
• Better maintenance decisions for minimum MRO expenses.
• Continuous cost savings with storeroom processKey Offerings:
• Proper testing and inspection of critical spare parts.

Related Services:

• Storeroom Management
• Parts Management Agreements
• MRO Inventory Management

Modernization Services for Managing Obsolescence with New Technologies

The modernization services maximize the lifecycle of equipment by justifying the technology upgrades. These services include the implementation of modern, information-enabled technologies to address and mitigate the obsolescence risks. A typical process follows:

• Identification of critical assets and obsolescence risks.
• Implementation of advanced technologies.

Performance Management for Operational Elevation and Downtime Prevention

Allen-Bradley offers reliability tools, and assessment as a part of their asset performance management services. Their experts are certified by the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals to meet performance and reliability demands with their services.

Key Steps:

• Data analysis to identify issues.
• Coordinated drive systems for industry-specific needs.
• Modern web handling solutions for various industries such as paper and pulp.

Quality Industrial Repairs for Industrial Equipment

The repair services at Allen-Bradley cater to electrical, electronic, mechanical, and servo products repairs. They have ISO-certified facilities and a global support network to ensure timely and efficient repairs to minimize the downtime.

• ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facilities.
• Repair services for over 200,000 items from more than 7,000 manufacturers.
• One-year warranty on complete units.
• Automated testing and emergency repair support.
• Compliance with environmental standards.

Remanufacturing Services to Restore

Allen-Bradley’s remanufacturing services restore the equipment to its original operating condition. Their ISO-certified facilities deliver new-like equipment by utilizing the high-quality parts and standards from the original manufacturing process.

Service Highlights:

• Use of Rockwell Automation OEM-specified components.
• Installation of updates and enhancements.
• Replacement of inoperative components.
• Functional and load testing, along with cleaning and cosmetic restoration.

Repair and Inventory Service Agreements

This agreement streamlines repair and inventory and maximizes uptime and reduces cost with a global network of support facilities.

Service Options:

• Repair+ Service Agreement: Streamlines repairs with a predictable budget.
• Inventory+ Service Agreement: Provides access to spare parts without upfront costs and priority inventory replenishment.

Integrated Service Agreement

This agreement offers a flexible suite of support services for the client’s specific needs, providing a single contact number for 24/7 technical support, repair services, analytics, field services, and more.

Key Benefits:

• Priority service and proactive support.
• 20-30% cost savings on standalone contracts.
• Entry-level to complete proactive support and maintenance.

Remote Support

The remote support services deal with production issues, optimize control systems, improve the OEE, and reduce the maintenance cost. It includes addressing the issues, filling the skill gaps and retaining knowledge for the new workers. This features:

• 24/7 access to technical specialists.
• Real-time issue resolution.
• Use of personal devices for troubleshooting.

TechConnect Support

TechConnect Support deals with day-to-day technical issues, providing rapid resolution, through improved training, and streamlined software updates.

TechConnect Benefits:

• 24/7 access to product specialists.
• Discounted e-learning subscriptions.
• Latest software updates.
• Augmented Reality (AR) services for virtual support.

Onsite and Field Services

Engineering solution on-demand:

On-site services include custom engineering support to meet specific needs. From emergency callouts to modernization projects, there professionals upgrade equipment performance. The onsite services feature:

• 24×7 Immediate support during emergencies
• Assistance with startup, special projects, and peak workloads
• Resolution of issues related to production
• Technical support during maintenance activity

Embedded Engineering:

Rockwell Automation claims that their field service professionals are on-site embedded resources for dedicated engineering support and maintenance services. The plant-certified and experienced resources offer preventive, predictive and reactive support services which include:

• Improved productivity with audits, assessments, and action plans, and enhanced machine and production performance
• Extended equipment life
• Reported 50-95% decrease in planned and unplanned downtime
• Decreased response time to equipment malfunctions
• Improved operator’s skills and internal troubleshooting capabilities

Start-Up Support

The start-up support ensures a smooth startup for drives and drive systems. The standard process includes verification of electrical, mechanical and environmental criteria, proper practices of installation, and parameters of operation.

Start-Up Support Services:

• Physical inspection and verification of drive and motor installations.
• Control wiring and grounding checks.
• Voltage application, checkout, calibration, and testing.
• Operation parameter adjustments and performance verification.
• Extended parts warranty for drives started up by Rockwell Automation (up to two years from the startup date or a maximum of 30 months from the manufacture date).

Safety Services

Allen-Bradley’s compliance with international safety standards and technologies in manufacturing optimize production, improve risk management, and reduce injuries. Allen Bradley’s People and Asset Safety Services protect employees and ensure compliance with the latest standards. They offer tailored solutions to enhance safety and productivity:

• Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) solutions.
• Machine safety services and safety assessments.
• Industrial safety standards and documentation.

Workforce Development Training Services to bridge Skills Gaps with Training

With older workers retiring and new automation technologies emerging, there remains an ever increasing need for skilled employees. Allen-Bradley offers various training courses to develop advanced technology skills, reducing the impact of skill gap on operation.

Training Highlights:

• Instructor-led Courses available in distributor-hosted, private on-site, and virtual formats.
• Certificate Programs for maintenance and programming professionals, focusing on Logix PLCs, Drives, and Motion, leading to a Certificate of Achievement with rewards such as recognition awards and job aids.
• Training Workstations to provide realistic experiences to practice and reinforce job skills using Rockwell Automation technologies.
• Learning+ Training Subscriptions offer flexible e-learning and virtual training combining self-paced learning with in-class collaboration and interactive labs, accessible on any tablet or PC.

Industrial Cybersecurity Solutions

Rockwell Automation’s Connected Services suite offers comprehensive solutions for OT security which include secure network design and continuous threat monitoring.

Cybersecurity Benefits:

• Industrial Demilitarized Zone (IDMZ) and micro-segmentation.
• Real-time monitoring and administration of OT networks.
• Protection for the devices accessing the network.

Industrial Data Center and VersaVirtual Appliance

The Industrial Data Center (IDC) and VersaVirtual Appliance offer scalable architecture and managed services, enabling a scalable transition to a virtualized environment.

Virtualization Benefits:

• Application longevity and improved recovery.
• Remote monitoring, administration, and redundancy.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) combines pre-engineered network solutions with on-site configuration and remote monitoring to simplify deployment. This in turn improves network reliability, and reduces costs.

IaaS Features:

• Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) reference architectures.
• Leveraged partnerships with Cisco, Microsoft, and Panduit.

Digital Thread

The Digital Thread methodology connects IT and OT to drive business growth and operational excellence.

Digital Thread Benefits:

• Seamless data flow and collaboration.
• Connecting plants to digital content for improved agility and resilience.
• Orchestrated production and efficiently allocated resources.

Technical Documentation Center

The Technical Documentation Center aims to simplify the user experience by providing a centralized access to all the technical specifications, installation instructions, and user manuals at one convenient location. The documentations also include the tools for finding and downloading product drawings and specifications.

Product Certifications

Allen-Bradley showcases the commitment to high standards of product safety and compliance by providing product certifications to verify that the ratings meet the requirements of your applications. The information is searchable in the literature library. There is an option available to directly contact Allen-bradley in case of a query regarding the certifications.

Product Selection and Configuration

Allen-Bradley offers numerous online tools for selecting and configuring industrial products, improving process efficiency these tools include:

• ProposalWorks Proposal Builder for creating proposals.
• Sensor Selection Tool for simplified sensor selection by industry and specific application requirements.
• Control Systems Configuration Tools for designing and developing industrial control systems.
• Safety Systems Configuration Tools for specific safety functions.
• Power and Motion Systems Tools for designing and validating power and motion systems.
• Procurement Specifications includes communication options, ratings, and certifications to help determine if a product meets your requirements.
• Online Product Directory improves processes through every stage of the manufacturing cycle.

Conclusion

Allen-Bradley offers various services for maximal operational efficiency including repair, maintenance and remanufacturing. The support in Technical Documentation Center, and selection tools further simplify the user experience. In conclusion, Allen-Bradley’s various services and support are as important as the product for the best user experience. If you would like to learn more about these drives and what makes them so highly regarded, we have the perfect article for you HERE.