Actually, controls such as a video control system deal with inputs, processing, and outputs at all levels. Having an effective control system in all three stages is essential. There are common features that define an effective control system. But before we get to that, let’s look at what a control system is.
What’s a Control System?
Control systems are a set of electronic devices designed for regulating other systems or devices through the use of control loops. Control systems are computerized. Furthermore, they play a major role in industries. Industrial processes are regulated using industrial control systems (ICS) like data acquisition, supervisory control, and distributed control systems.
Effective control systems are mainly used in production and to enhance safety in several areas, which include the following;
- Agriculture
- Quality control
- Nuclear power plants
- Sewage treatment plants
- Food and food processing
- Sugar refining plants
- Boiler controls and power plants
- Pulp and paper mills
- Environmental control, among others
Why do I need a Good Control System?
With an effectively tuned control loop, you can rest assured of a smooth process that’s highly efficient and one that produces top-quality products with great consistency. That’s because effective controls help identify and fix process inefficiencies before they get out of hand.
Features of a Good Control System
Accuracy
A sound control system generates accurate information, which is quite essential in making managerial decisions. Ineffective controls would interfere with management efforts and even divert attention to non-existent problems. Furthermore, such control systems do not alert managers in case of serious issues that require attention.
Timelessness
Problems happen when least expected. Some of them need to be attended to right away to prevent them from getting worse. That’s where control systems come in. They help in alerting the management of such emergencies. Video control systems are the best, especially if they relay information to decision-makers immediately so that immediate action is taken.
Flexibility
In the 21st century, advancement in technology has triggered the change in economic and business fields. Therefore, a rigid control system is outdated and does not fit in a dynamic environment. The innovations in those fields create the need to have a flexible control system.
Basically, strategic planning must create room for adjustments as a result of unexpected opportunities and threats. Likewise, the managers must implement changes in controlling techniques, methods, and systems. The best control system should be easy to update if need be.
Acceptability
A complex control system creates several mistakes and can be quite frustrating. In fact, your employees will even resent such control systems. That’s why it’s essential to go for a control system that is easy to understand and acceptable in your field.
Your employees must approve the use and effectiveness of such controls, and you’ll have to assure them that the control system won’t affect their efforts.
Integration
When a control system is consistent with corporate culture and values, it compliments your organizational policies, making it easy to enforce them. Control systems are the building units for a great organizational environment.
Economic viability
The best control system ought to be economically feasible and easy to operate. Therefore, its price should hit a balance against its benefits. For instance, a quality security system to protect nuclear secrets can be economically justified, unlike when the same system protects office items in a store. In other words, the price of implementing a control system must not outweigh the benefits received in return.
Strategic placement
You can place video control systems at strategic control points. These are points in which failure and mistakes are not welcomed due to the high cost of failure.
The goal is to implement controls to central business spots that could cause you great harm if the expected standards are not met. These are control areas such as sales, finance, promotion, and customer service.
Corrective action
An ideal control system can detect deviation and even give you suggestions on how to correct the deviation. Best control systems are programmed to do such things. For instance, a computer used to keep inventory records can be programmed to identify once a particular item drops. Such a computer will signal for the replacement of the items.
Emphasis on exception
An effective control system operates on the exception principle. That way, the management is alerted of significant deviations. Therefore, the managerial team won’t focus on activities that are running normally. As a result, the administrative team will direct their attention towards error, not conformity. The exception principle helps avoid unnecessary supervision and therefore helps save time.