Services
A successful project depends on more than just getting the technical parts right. AIS sees the project through from start to finish - a full turnkey package. We will specify, code, build, test, commission and support.
Pre-project consultation
If you know how to solve your problem, that's fine. But if you don't, we can often help. In the past we have successfully tackled all sorts of unusual problems - for example checking that the temperature inside a freezer cabinet has dropped without measuring it, or detecting if a sheet of building board, trundling down a production line, has had its corners broken off.
We have had experience of all sorts of unusual measuring and control techniques, and are not shy of proposing and creating new ways of doing things when the occasion demands it. If it really is unknown territory, we can put in test equipment on your site to do a pilot study, as proof of technique.
FDS
For all but the simplest projects, we will issue a Functional Design Specification to describe just how we are going to tackle your problems.
We take pride in getting our FDSs right. We include schematic diagrams and explanatory tables so that you can easily follow what is going on, and pictures of prototypes of the user interface to give you a feel for how it will work.
You can see clearly if we have understood your needs.
Purchasing/Hardware build/Configuring
Again something that varies from client to client - we will fall in with your needs. If required we can:
- Source, purchase and build the hardware needed for the project
- Find, instruct and be responsible for suitable contractors (including supplying technical drawings, communication protocol documents and so on)
- Configure PCs and other components such as networks, serial hubs.
Support options
For
the first year, basic support is free as part of our standard guarantee. We
offer a range of support from full call out on site '24 x 7' coverage to basic,
working hours, phone support.
Effective support depends on a fast reaction time. We recommend setting up a connection through which our engineers can diagnose your system remotely. This can be a simple phone line and modem or a secure VPN connection running through your company's standard, permanent Internet connection. With this in place, we can be on site 'virtually' in minutes. Most operational problems yield to this approach, which is an all round grief saver.
To minimise your spares costs, we operate a hardware pool. We hold a stock of certain high value components. For a small fee, you can buy into our pool, and have a call on its contents in the event of a hardware failure on your site. This gives you rapid replacement times without the overhead of buying your own spares.