Industry modernisation is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and addressing rapidly evolving market demands, specifically now as industries face increasing pressure to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

With technological advancements, such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), modernisation offers businesses the opportunity to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance product quality.

“Additionally, modern systems help companies stay ahead of competitors by allowing them to innovate, scale operations and quickly adapt to market changes. Modernisation also addresses increasing customer expectations for sustainability and smart technologies, offering businesses a clear competitive edge,” says Nontu Mkhize, Offer Marketing Manager: Power Services and Industry for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric.

She notes that this is where field services play a crucial role in driving modernisation by providing on-the-ground expertise and hands-on support for upgrading infrastructure, implementing new technologies and maintaining critical systems.

“Field service professionals ensure that industrial businesses can effectively integrate modern solutions into their operations, offering real-time troubleshooting, system optimisation, and training. This support ensures smooth transitions during modernisation and helps businesses achieve operational excellence by leveraging the latest technologies and practices,” says Mkhize.

Skills and expertise

Mkhize adds that engaging with field service arms offers several benefits, including access to specialised knowledge and hands-on expertise that ensures the successful implementation and optimisation of new technologies.

“Field services also helps businesses minimise downtime during upgrades by offering proactive maintenance, real-time troubleshooting and rapid system recovery. Additionally, field services can help businesses reduce the risk of costly errors and ensure that systems are properly installed and maintained,” says Mkhize, adding that further benefits brought by field services include faster implementation and training and knowledge transfer.

Schneider Electric South Africa Field Service Channel Manager, Etienne du Plessis, explains that field services help businesses adapt by ensuring their technology and infrastructure are agile and capable of responding to dynamic market shifts. Through modernisation, companies can implement more flexible, scalable solutions that can quickly meet evolving consumer expectations.

“Field services also support ongoing maintenance, upgrades and optimisations, which ensures that businesses can remain responsive and competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. This adaptability enables organisations to seize new opportunities and stay ahead of market trends,” he says.

Du Plessis points out that the integration of IoT and data analytics enhances operational efficiency by providing real-time insights into the performance of machinery, systems and operations. IoT devices capture data that, when analysed, allow businesses to identify inefficiencies, predict maintenance needs and optimise workflows.

Improved decision-making 

“Field services enable seamless deployment of IoT solutions, ensuring that the collected data is effectively leveraged to improve decision-making and operational processes. The insights gained from IoT and analytics help businesses reduce operational costs, enhance productivity, and improve overall system performance,” he says.

Over and above, modernising infrastructure directly supports sustainability efforts by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing waste and optimising resource usage. Du Plessis explains that advanced technologies such as smart grids, energy-efficient systems and predictive maintenance contribute to reducing the environmental impact of industrial operations. 

“By embracing modernisation, businesses can lower their carbon footprint, comply with environmental regulations and contribute to global sustainability goals. Moreover, smarter systems allow for better energy management, which not only reduces operational costs but also helps organisations meet their sustainability targets,” he says.

In the long term, adds du Plessis, companies can expect various strategic advantages to stem from successfully implementing modernisation, including increased competitiveness with businesses being able to differentiate themselves by adopting cutting-edge technologies and best practices.

“Modernisation supports sustained growth as efficient operations enable businesses to scale their activities, expand into new markets and improve customer satisfaction. It also drives long-term savings from improved energy efficiency, reduced maintenance costs and fewer operational disruptions,” he says.

“Also, successful modernisation positions businesses as leaders in innovation, attracting new customers and partners, while modernised systems and processes make businesses more agile, resilient to disruptions and adaptable to future challenges.”

Du Plessis concludes that successfully modernising with the assistance of field services provides lasting benefits, including increased competitiveness, cost savings and ultimately long-term growth.