Individuality need not be expensive

ServciePLUS modification

Off-the-shelf product or custom-developed solution? Anybody who is responsible for the correct 'packaging' for electronic systems is confronted with this question. Various manufacturers offer cases, subracks and cabinets as catalogue items. Often, however, such off-the-shelf products do not suit the application and costly customising work becomes necessary. Schroff has made it a priority to respond to this situation with a special ServicePLUS module, modification (Fig. 1), which the company is offering its customers as a more cost-effective approach.

ServicePLUS Modification - individually modified off-the-shelf products

Something different every time - from individual components

The challenge is to offer cases, subracks and cabinets that on the one hand are assured of high technical standards, but on the other are sufficiently flexible and variable that they can be matched to a variety of applications. In tackling this challenge Schroff has devised platform concepts for cases, subracks and cabinets that allow custom solutions to be realised quickly and economically. These concepts are based on a range of off-the-shelf components that can be flexibly combined to create products tailored completely to customer requirements. The goals in developing these standard components were always not only a modular and cost-optimised design but also a basis that was flexible enough for developing complex custom solutions.

Customers are supported in selecting these components by various configurators and also by Schroff's experts (ServicePLUS configuration) for a rapid, straightforward and application-orientated solution. If required, the ServicePLUS assembly option will professionally assemble all mechanical, electrical and electronic components. With its development centres and modern manufacturing facilities, Schroff is capable of fulfilling complex customer requirements and developing new solutions (ServicePLUS solution).

The perfect combination

In many cases the customer requires only minor product alterations, such as drillings, cut-outs or special colours. Moreover, off-the-self products are simple to order, are delivered quickly and are lower cost than customised products. But what should a customer do who requires minor modifications to an off-the-shelf product? A fully tailored customer solution considers each product requirement individually. Longer development times and higher development outlay by both supplier and customer, plus longer delivery times, lead ultimately to higher costs. Beside a comprehensive range of off-the-shelf products and the option of customised solutions, Schroff offers a new option - the modification of off-the-shelf products. For the customer the ideal solution is often in between: a flexible off-the-shelf product offering the possibility of custom modifications, simple ordering options, short delivery times and a reasonable price.

Small changes. Big effect!

The commonest modification requirements by customers were identified from general experience and market analyses. On this basis the benefits of off-the-shelf components were united with those of customised solutions in the ServicePLUS modification option. The customer profits in this scheme from a defined spectrum of modifications combined with short delivery times and low prices.

Cabinet modifications:
ServicePLUS modification allows, for example, the modification of off-the-shelf Varistar cabinets to customer specifications. 21 different colours (which can also be combined) and individual labelling, cut-outs and drillings are possible in all geometric shapes, from quantities of 1 upwards and ready within 15 working days. The type and positioning of cabling or of external connectors can also be customised using this service. The customer builds up an individual cabinet from the range of off-the-shelf components available and specifies, e.g. at the quotation stage, the choice of colour from the palette available. Further requests for modification (cut-outs etc) are sent to Schroff in the form of drawings. To support this method, CAD files are available as Internet downloads for all modifiable components. The customer indicates all necessary modifications the drawings, and returns these to Schroff. The customer thus receives an individual solution with a standard product - quickly, simply and at favourable cost.

As applied to cabinets, one example of a custom modification is a Varistar unit configured as a typical automation cabinet, with two additional cut-outs for air-filtered fans (Fig. 2). Both cut-outs are situated in the rear door. Additionally the cabinet is finished in two special colours, RAL 5012 (light blue) and RAL 7001 (silver grey). The modified cabinet is ready for delivery within 15 days. The extra cost for the modifications is calculated as a combination of fixed prices, obtained here from the number of special colours and the number of cabinet parts requiring modification - in this case a rear door. The number and shape of the cut-outs in the door are not taken into consideration.

Fig.2. Customer specifications: two special colours and two cut-outs in the rear door

Modifications to subracks and cases:
The subrack and case series contained in the Schroff catalogue can likewise be modified with ServicePLUS modification. Possible alterations include different dimensions, round holes for lamps, LEDs and switches, cut-outs for connectors, consoles and special colours - all from a quantity of 1 upwards. When combined with the Express service, delivery times can be as little as 10 working days.

An example of a custom subrack/case modification is a subrack with width 58 HP and depth 159 mm. These measurements do not correspond to an off-the-shelf product but have been modified at the request of the customer. The same applies to the recessed assembly plane on the left and the bottom-hinged partial width front panel on the left, with seven custom cut-outs. Cut-outs have likewise been made in the front panels, three of them each with a handle above and below. The subrack also features two wall-mounting fixings on the rear panel. Schroff was the only supplier able to meet the customer's technical requirements and also the required delivery time at a reasonable price. Because of the high degree of modification to both subrack and front panels, the delivery time took 10 working days.

Front Panel Fast Track:
ServicePLUS modification also includes Schroff's front-panel customising service. Customers can access this via the easy-to-use online configurator on the Schroff website. The configurator prompts first for the basic data of the front panel, such as height, width, number of round holes, number of cut-outs, the desired EMC shielding, type of finish, lacquering, screen and digital printing, and then allows accessories to be selected. The customer opts whether the accessories are to be pre-fitted or not. Clicking the "Calculate Price" button will then immediately display a table of prices for various quantities and possible delivery times. By selecting "E-mail PDF quote" the customer immediately receives a quote for the configured front panel by e-mail.

Schroff also offers ServicePLUS modification in other product areas and continues to extend it. For example, power supply units are available with customised front panels or individually-specified output voltages.

Comprehensive service strategy

Schroff has strategically arranged all its pre-sales and after-sales services under the "ServicePLUS" umbrella. ServicePLUS comprises eight modules (Fig. 4): configuration, assembly, modification, solution, express, support, academy and lifecycle. With these, Schroff stays with its customers for the entire life of the product.

Professional assembly, modifications, product developments, integration - customers profit in all of these areas from Schroff's decades of experience in electronics packaging. With the configuration, assembly, modification and solution modules Schroff supports its customers in all pre-sales matters. From configuration support and the assembly of all mechanical, electrical and electronic components, through the modification of off-the-shelf components to custom solutions and fully-tested, functioning systems.

Many services can be combined with the express module. A dedicated project management for rush orders, special express manufacturing and assembly lines and the services of fast delivery partners together form the time-optimised supply chain in Schroff's production facilities.

ServicePLUS support - the goal of an effective support service is to be always available to customers with short response times. Error analyses are performed remotely or by a technician on site and a solution is found in the shortest possible time.

Sound knowledge of the manufacturer's technologies and products also on the part of the customer's own employees and service personnel is a key factor for the smooth running of their applications. Schroff provides the conditions for an efficient knowledge transfer with the academy module, with its special training and in-service options for customers and other interested parties. This ServicePLUS module is completed with Internet-based activities such as webinars, webcasts and white papers.

The last module, ServicePLUS lifecycle, encompasses customer care and support over the entire lifecycle of the product - from delivery to recycling. Depending on the requirements of the customer, an individual lifecycle package can be created by selecting from the following services: delivery to point of use, commissioning, extension of warranty, maintenance, repair, replacement parts, modernising and recycling.

Further information on ServicePLUS

ServicePLUS: Schroff stays with its customers for the entire life of the product.

Notes on the authors:

Markus Gerber is a product manager in the services department at Schroff GmbH, Straubenhardt, Germany.
Buket Mansuroglu is a product manager in the cabinet product development department at Schroff GmbH, Straubenhardt, Germany.

fa812, 10/2008

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