AST Automation, a business unit of AST, has compiled a unique consulting and professional offering which forms part of the value chain and is responsible for delivery of all consultation services.
AST Automation is an international provider of process technology, engineering, procurement, project management and construction services providing turnkey delivery of project execution and single source responsibility to the manufacturing and mining industries.
"Vendor independent consultation within the automation environment is fairly unique and AST aims to add value by assisting clients to understand the value as offered by a supplier`s niche product," explains Petrus Klopper of AST Automation. "To deliver the service, AST has developed a standardised approach for addressing the specialised client requirements along with specific tools to assist in this process."
Some of the consulting services delivered by AST include assisting the client with the formulation of technology strategies, setting standards based on the strategy and assisting with the design of automation system components. AST also assists the client with the preparation of the tender documentation and is in a position to handle the full turnkey electrical project on an EPCM basis.
Other services offered by AST include the review of bleeding-edge technologies to determine potential areas the new products and services may deliver value. Also performed is maturity profiling were the client`s present status is determined in terms of comparison to best practices.
AST undertakes to perform independent quality control and risk assessment audits. As part of its continuous improvement process, AST implements performance improvement processes (PIP) and training within the automation environment in order to optimise the business processes. AST also undertakes active research to identify new trends in order to assist its clients to be aligned with advances in technology.
In a further value-add, the consultation and design phase will enable the client to save costs as all the "unknowns/risks" are clarified, resulting in a reduced price by all parties during the tender phase.
"The value proposition as offered by AST in terms of consulting is re-iterated by the fact that while AST is vendor independent we have in-depth experience," adds Klopper. "Hence AST has the client`s requirements at heart when formulating or affirming strategies. Another differentiator is the fact that we are well aware of expectation management as in most consulting projects the main deliverable is often a report and not a measurable deliverable such as a project."
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AST`s intellectual capacity, its business model and strong customer base form the foundation for the group`s integrated services solutions business.
Ideally positioned as a leading technology solutions company and focused on selected industries, AST unlocks substantial value for its customers. The AST Group - a trustworthy and innovative ICT company.
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