Chapter 9: 5 Do's and Don'ts for First-Time Automation

First-time automation can feel like a high-stakes leap — but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, the Formic team distills hundreds of deployments into ten practical rules: five things you should do, and five traps you should actively avoid. The goal isn't perfection on day one; it's building early momentum that sets your team up for long-term success.

On the "do" side: start with a clear business plan and trackable metrics, choose systems that complement your existing workflows, communicate your plans to employees early, design for future expansion, and study what's already working at other manufacturers in your space. On the "don't" side: avoid the temptation to automate everything at once, don't expect robots to fully replace your workforce, don't underestimate the expertise needed to keep systems running, don't overcomplicate your first project, and don't forget to measure results and evolve. The most successful automation journeys aren't the most ambitious ones — they're the most disciplined ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with the problem to solve, not the technology to buy — define clear metrics upfront so you can prove the value of every deployment
• Automation should enhance what you already do well, not force a wholesale reinvention of your workflows
• Employees are your biggest asset — communicate early, frame automation as a tool that protects their jobs, and bring them into the process before the robot shows up on the floor
• Design every first system with expansion in mind — modular equipment and flexible providers prevent you from painting yourself into a corner
• Avoid the "big bang" approach — targeted wins compound over time and are far more sustainable than trying to automate everything overnight
• Measure everything: track TCO, monitor performance, and stay willing to adapt — automation is a journey, not a one-time project

Automate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co.

0:00 Intro 
0:32 Do #1 — Create a Business Plan 
1:15 Do #2 — Complement Existing Ops 
1:52 Do #3 — Communicate With Employees 
2:28 Do #4 — Design for Expansion 
3:04 Do #5 — Learn from Innovators 
3:39 Don't #1 — Automate Everything 
4:15 Don't #2 — Expect Full Replacement 
4:51 Don't #3 — Ignore Competencies 
5:28 Don't #4 — Overcomplicate It 
6:03 Don't #5 — Forget to Measure 
6:40 Key Takeaways

What is Automate Now?

American manufacturing is at an inflection point. Labor shortages are accelerating, global competition is intensifying, and the pressure to produce more with less has never been greater. The answer — for manufacturers of every size — is automation. But knowing you need to automate and knowing how to do it are two very different things.

Automate Now is the practical playbook for CPG manufacturers ready to take action. Written by the Formic team — the people who have helped hundreds of U.S. factories automate for the first time — this audiobook cuts through the complexity and gives you a clear, honest roadmap: where to start, how to build internal buy-in, how to choose the right partner, and how to scale from your first win into a future-proof operation.

Automate Now — Episode 9
5 Do's and Don'ts for First-Time Automation

First-time automation can feel both exciting and overwhelming. The right moves can set you up for lasting success; the wrong ones can cost time, money, and trust.

The good news? You're not the first to do this. Thousands of manufacturers have already walked this path, which makes it easier to learn what worked versus what didn't. Here are your dos and don'ts for automation success.

Do Number 1: Create a business and deployment plan with trackable stats.

Start with the problem to solve, not the automation to use. This means creating a clear plan that aligns automation with your business goals. What problem are you solving? What specific metrics will you track — labor savings, throughput gains, quality improvements? Set baseline measurements so you can prove out the value. And remember: look at total cost of ownership, not just ROI.

Do Number 2: Identify automation that complements existing operations.

Automation should enhance what you do, not disrupt it unnecessarily. Look for systems that integrate well with current workflows, equipment, and employee skill sets. Small wins that align with your current state are better than trying to reinvent the wheel overnight.

Do Number 3: Communicate automation plans to employees.

Your team is key to successful automation. Engage them early — explain why you're automating, how it helps the business, and how it protects jobs by making work safer, less repetitive, and more productive. Clear communication reduces fear and builds support.

Do Number 4: Design for expansion.

Think beyond the first system. Choose automation that can scale with you — whether through modular equipment, software flexibility, or a provider who can adapt solutions as you grow. Avoid painting yourself into a corner with rigid tools.

Do Number 5: Learn from innovators and competitors.

Don't go it alone. Study how others in your industry — and beyond — are succeeding with automation. What systems are they using? What challenges did they face? Visit other plants, attend demos, ask questions. Every insight helps you avoid costly mistakes.

Don't Number 1: Treat automation as a big-hit project and automate everything right away.

It's tempting to chase the dream of full automation overnight. But the best automation journeys start with targeted wins — automating one process, proving value, and scaling from there. Big-bang approaches often lead to budget overspend, complexity, and frustration.

Don't Number 2: Expect automation to replace all human employees.

Automation works best when it enables your people, not replaces them entirely. Focus on using automation to eliminate repetitive, hazardous, or low-value tasks so your team can focus on what they do best. Your employees are your most valuable asset.

Don't Number 3: Ignore the competencies needed to do automation.

Even the best system needs operators, champions, and maintenance support. Whether you're building skills in-house or partnering with a service provider, don't underestimate the importance of having — or accessing — the expertise to keep automation running smoothly.

Don't Number 4: Overcomplicate the process.

Stay focused on starting simple and solving the core bottlenecks first. The most successful automation solutions are often the simplest and the easiest to scale. That's why we've recommended starting with palletizing and case packing — because they might not be the most exciting solutions, but they will be the most impactful.

Don't Number 5: Forget to measure results and evolve.

Automation isn't set-and-forget. Measure performance, track your total cost of ownership, and stay agile. Needs change, products change, and automation should evolve with you. Continuous improvement is part of the automation journey.

Key Takeaways

First-time automation doesn't have to be a leap into the unknown, but it does require the right strategy. The key is to start small, stay focused, and align automation with real business goals. Success comes from choosing solutions that complement your current operations, communicating clearly with your team, and planning for growth — not perfection. Avoid the urge to automate everything at once or expect robots to replace people entirely. Instead, measure what matters, keep it simple, and learn from others who've already walked the path. Thoughtful, incremental moves will deliver big results.