Lights, camera, RFAT!
Making life easier for our customers with the Remote Factory Acceptance Test (RFAT)
I am amazed at how far we’ve come in terms of communicating with our family and friends in this age of mobile phones and social media. No matter where I am in the world, my family seems to be just few taps or clicks away.
What’s even more amazing is that we at the generator circuit-breaker (GCB) factory have taken advantage of new media technology to get our customers to see their factory acceptance test (FAT) remotely. With only an internet connection, GCB customers can witness the testing of their GCB in our award-winning factory in Zurich without actually leaving their office premises using our unique Remote Factory Acceptance Test (RFAT). It is a tool that enables us to invite our customers virtually into the factory and provide them a customer event that is as close as possible to the real thing.
The RFAT saves both time and money. Overcoming geographical limitations and is not restricted in terms of number of attendees which means that customers anywhere can involve as many relevant people and expand the test audience. It makes it possible for them to experience the event with their project manager as if they were in the factory.
The RFAT tool was introduced in 2010 and currently nearly one fourth of all final acceptance tests are held remotely using this tool and we see this trend on the rise.
Multiple cameras provide accurate video streaming directly from the test area to the screen of the customer where those interested in the test can browse through the different views. The friendly test engineers are natural performers (who have got used to the spotlight) and can guide the customers through the whole test through their headsets.
At the beginning of the test, the project manager welcomes the customer with the test engineers down on the factory floor, holding a special personalized signboard to simulate arrival at an airport! All this helps create as much of a real-life scenario around the RFAT as possible sitting in front of a computer somewhere around the world.
The RFAT has become well accepted and liked tool helping us to serve our customers even better while saving time and resources. Shortcoming and regret if any is that we can’t share Swiss chocolate with them on the successful completion of the tests!