Holistic Approach

A full implementation of all Optimate software and hardware modules is a challenging task that cannot take place as a single step. Ateikon and Elettrondata are perfectly aware of such complexity and on the basis on their experience can suggest to each customer the more suitable implementation plan.
It's worth to remind that the introduction of Optimate requires a sequence of both technological and organizational steps. Suitable training programs should be scheduled as well in order to prepare the management, sales and technical staff to the new system.

In order to foster an incremental implementation Optimate has been designed from the very beginning with several specific features and has been complemented by effective supporting services.

More specifically, the most important features and related services are:

Flexibility

Our approach with production site and truck mixer automation is 'nothing it's impossible'. Our flexible system allows us to automate almost every type of plant, out of standard too, and to monitor other parameters than the expected.
According to Elettrondata and Ateikon 'best practices' the first stage of the Optimate implementation is an assessment activity aiming to understand if some minimum requirements are met.

More specifically the following check are performed:

• Level and quality of automation of the batching plants
• Type and quality of the communication infrastructure connecting the batching plants and the company headquarter
• Number and type of legacy systems and databases containing data that will be interested by interchange flows with Optimate
• Key-users and people which will act as leaders for the success of the implementation of Optimate

After this assessment a suitable implementation path can be agreed with the customer. Many options are available in order to gradually implement hardware, software and communication elements. In addition, based on batching plant groups or areas, Optimate architecture is natively suitable for an incremental implementation.
In most cases the first goal to achieve is to setup a benchmarking area in order to gain the necessary familiarity with the new technologies and to train selected key users. This first objective is also extremely useful to create product awareness in the management and thus further refine the implementation plan.

Modularity

Optimate architecture is both modular and scalable according to many perspectives.
Specifically:

• The level of automation of batching plants and vehicles can be largely modulated on the basis of the customer requirements and financial budget
• The natural geographical organization into areas allows a progressive implementation of the system on a territorial basis
• The application architecture is composed by several modules that can be implemented progressively. These modules share the same database and the same architecture, thus allowing effortless interconnection
• Application modules are also scalable and they can be increased in number and distributed on several physical or virtual system in order to make efficient use of processing power.