Episode Summary

Chuck Ridgeway, Automation Technology Manager at Horner Automation Group, joins The Modern Facilities Management Podcast to discuss the power of automation in facility management. With years of experience in industrial automation, Chuck provides a practical approach to getting started with automation in your facility—no matter your budget or technical expertise.

In this episode, we explore the essentials of facility automation, the importance of data collection, and how even small automation steps can lead to major efficiency gains.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with Connectivity: Chuck reminds us, "You can’t improve what you don’t measure, and you can’t measure things you don’t have visibility on." Before diving into automation, assess how your systems connect and what data you currently have available.
• Prioritize for Impact: Begin with automation efforts that address the biggest pain points in your facility. Are you looking to reduce energy usage? Improve HVAC efficiency? Rank your priorities and create an actionable plan.
• Leverage Sensors for Insights: Implementing sensors is a great first step in automation, providing real-time data on energy consumption, equipment performance, and environmental conditions.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Good automation starts with good data. Identify key metrics, categorize the information you collect, and use these insights to drive facility improvements.
• Take a Step-by-Step Approach: "Measure what you can, start small, and take it one step at a time." Automation doesn’t have to be overwhelming—incremental improvements can lead to significant long-term benefits.

Enjoy!