When The Jetsons debuted in 1962, it was simply a futuristic cartoon with a big imagination.
Today, it’s reality.
From flat-screen TVs and smart watches to video conferencing and robotic vacuums, The Jetsons did a pretty good job of forecasting 21st-century technology. No one could have imagined, however, the way technology would advance the industrial marketplace.
Today, business optimization means using artificial intelligence as a means to analyze data and identify patterns. For the manufacturing, warehouse and distribution industries, that means improving inventory predictions, anticipating growth and streamlining processes.
Imagine a warehouse where orders can be filled more quickly, thanks to AI that immediately maps out the fastest path so time isn’t wasted on backtracking. Or a real-time inventory system that allows you to sell an item just as quickly as you stock it.
In the trades as well, technological advancements have real-world applications. Just as doctors can practice surgery through augmented reality, a refrigerator repairman can practice routine maintenance without worrying that one wrong move would jeopardize an expensive appliance.
The possibilities don’t stop there. Blockchain gives us the ability to transmit secure data through our supply chain. The introduction of 3D printing is a game-changer as well, as we find new ways to produce repair parts. Perhaps we will arrive at a point where technicians can print the part they need right at the job site, allowing them to diagnose the problem and make the repair in a single visit.
For small repair businesses, these technologies can be a relatively minimal investment that puts them on a level playing field with larger companies.
These solutions could be a game-changer for the technician who calls into the office for tech support and finds himself on the phone with an inexperienced employee. AI is so intuitive that anyone could use it to walk the technician through his problem to find the solution. In addition, AI connects the solution to manufacturer schematics and loads parts directly into the cart. It truly puts the expertise of an entire industry right at your fingertips.
The value of inventory management through technology can’t be underestimated either. Keeping well-stocked repair trucks promotes first-call completions – and higher profit margins — but maintaining a minimal inventory frees up capital. Thanks to predictive analysis, business owners can balance that tightrope easily.
At Marcone, we’ve experienced the benefits technology can bring first-hand. We’ve had a smart warehouse management system in place for years but just recently began offering an AI-based system for free to our customers.
The response to MarconeAI has been tremendous. It’s being used in the field and by office personnel for everything from parts prediction to diagnostic services. Even seasoned professionals say the system is valuable for them.
From billion-dollar corporations to mom-and-pop repair shops, the advent of technology provides businesses around the world with the competitive edge they need to grow. A fresh spirit of innovation has made its way into industry and there’s no turning back.
The future is here and it is exciting.
About the Author
Greg Fleischut is President of Marcone Appliance, North America’s largest distributor of repair parts and equipment, and brings more than 20 years of experience in national account management. Under his leadership, Marcone Appliance continues to debut cutting-edge technology designed to introduce ongoing innovation to the repair parts industry.
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