Valves are changing
From introduction of plastics in valves to digitally controlled valves, everything about valves seems to be set for some change. While a few areas such as valve automation are bringing about significant changes in the way valves function, others like materials used in valves are witnessing several incremental improvements.
The sourcing practices and perspectives in valves also need to change to be in tune with the changes in valves. In this edition of e-valve, we discuss three ways in which sourcing of valves is going to change in the future.
Safe’ Sourcing for valves
As more and more valve functions get automated, valves get less and less of attention or personal monitoring, raising their safety risks. Clearly, replacing valves for safety concerns is going to get costlier. Ensuring safe performance at the stage of sourcing and not when put in operation, is very crucial. A comprehensive understanding of safety perspectives and a clear techno-commercial framework to manage safety at the sourcing stage, will be equally critical while sourcing valves.
Historic valve data for better sourcing decisions
Today, it is easier than ever to fetch performance data of valves on many parameters. While this data is increasingly used to better productivity, improving maintenance practices and more…its use in sourcing of valves is still limited. Leveraging the analysis of historic data in the sourcing of valves can give the purchase teams a far sharper edge in decisions and negotiations.
Goal-centric sourcing of valves
As valves get more and more specialised to serve specific applications, process needs, regulatory constraints etc., a general sourcing policy may leave you short of the best deal when purchasing valves. Instead, setting goal based policies in terms of meeting the performance, safety needs, regulatory norms etc. as per applications will help to earn the best ROI on valves.