What’s it like to work with the manufacturers you rely on? Before your next project, ask yourself (or ask them) these 5 questions.
- How reliable are their products?
Unreliable parts mean unplanned time and cost for testing and replacement, plus angry customers when parts fail. Both affect your profits. So ask your manufacturer about product testing and warranties.
All Opto 22 products are made at our headquarters and factory in California. We do no statistical testing; each part is tested twice. So we’re confident enough to provide a lifetime warranty on SSRs and I/O. They work, and keep on working.
- Can you get the parts you need?
How hard is it to get parts? Getting all I/O signal types from one manufacturer makes planning and installation easier. Once the contract is signed, in-stock parts avoid costly delays.
Opto 22 offers a broad range of products. Take I/O: voltage, current, rate, thermocouple, RTD, ICTD, load cell, and TPO are just some signals available. We keep 3 weeks’ worth of inventory ready to ship and a hefty stock of raw materials.
- How hard is integration?
Proprietary products make integration difficult. Open standards make it easier to deliver the cross-system data and control customers want now.
Opto 22 products use open standards like OPC, standard Ethernet networking, and Internet protocols. SNAP PAC controllers and I/O talk Modbus/TCP and work with Allen-Bradley® PLCs. With Opto 22’s groov, you can build a mobile app for any automation system.
- How much does technical support cost?
Buying support contracts and renewing them annually impacts your bottom line.
All Opto 22 products include FREE product support from engineers in our California headquarters.
- Who answers the phone when you call?
When you call with a question about wiring or functions or troubleshooting, do you get a person or a phone system? Or have you just given up calling?
At Opto 22, a real person answers. You can phone or email for pre-sales advice or technical support. Our OptoForum, documents, and videos are on opto22.com and groov.com.
If your automation manufacturer gives good answers to these 5 questions, you’ll be more successful. At Opto 22, we’re glad to help. Give us a call at 1-800-321-6786 or 1+951-695-3000.