{"id":7590,"date":"2025-07-17T13:03:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T13:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/?p=7590"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:34:12","slug":"total-cost-of-ownership-in-automation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/total-cost-of-ownership-in-automation\/","title":{"rendered":"Calculating TCO in automation: A practical guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<section class=\"single-blog \" id=\"\">\r\n    <div class=\"container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"blog-row with-toc\">\r\n                <div class=\"row\">\r\n                    <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-4 toc-column d-none d-lg-block\">\r\n                        <div class=\"table-content-wrapper desktop\">\r\n                            <h4>Table of Contents<\/h4>\r\n                            <div class=\"table-content desktop\">\r\n\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                        <div class=\"form-wrapper\">\r\n                                <h4>Get in touch with our team<\/h4>\r\n                                <div class=\"form-content\">\r\n                                    <script src=\"https:\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/developer\/9125639.js\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><div class=\"hs-form-html\" data-region=\"na1\" data-form-id=\"41c0b4f3-dc2f-4284-a92c-313a4ab8b567\" data-portal-id=\"9125639\"><\/div>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"person-wrapper\">\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"person-image\">    \r\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Herman-Bliek.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"Herman Bliek\" width=\"97\" height=\"96\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7414 \" \/>                                        <\/div>\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"person-detail\">\r\n                                        <div class=\"person-name\">Herman Bliek<\/div>\r\n                                        <div class=\"person-title\">Automation specialist<\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"form-text\">\r\n                                    <p>This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/intl\/en-GB\/policies\/privacy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/intl\/en-GB\/policies\/terms\/\">Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0apply.<\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-8 content-column\">\r\n                        <div class=\"feature-image\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px.png 1000w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px-768x422.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>                        <\/div>\r\n                                                <h1 class=\"title mb-3 mb-lg-4 top\">What does the <strong class=\"title-blue\"> total cost of ownership (TCO) <\/strong> look like in automation?<\/h1>\r\n                                                <div class=\"meta-wrapper mb-4 mb-lg-5\">\r\n                                                        <div class=\"blogmeta\">\r\n                                <!-- <span><\/span> |  -->\r\n                                <span class=\"date\"> July 17, 2025<\/span> | \r\n                                <span class=\"author\">\r\n                                     \r\n                                    Kamelia Kamoun                                <\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>   \r\n                            <!-- social share -->\r\n                                                            <div class=\"row blog-social mb-0\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"social-share-wrap\">\r\n                                        <ul class=\"social-share\">\r\n                                                                                                                                        <li class=\"social-share-item\"><a 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            <div class=\"table-content-wrapper mobile d-block d-lg-none\">\r\n                                <h4>Table of Contents<\/h4>\r\n                                <div class=\"table-content mobile\">\r\n\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                <div class=\"content-wrapper\">\r\n                            <div class=\"blog-opening\">\r\n                                <p class=\"bigtext\"><\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                            <div class=\"blog-content\">\r\n                                <p>When considering automation, one of the first questions potential buyers ask is: How much will it cost? Not just the upfront investment, but the long-term costs too. Are there recurring expenses that keep showing up year after year?<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the total cost of ownership (TCO) in automation is key to making informed, confident decisions before committing to any investment.<\/p>\n<p>TCO <span style=\"color: #2d8fa1;\">includes<\/span> all costs tied to the system, both at the time of purchase and in the years that follow. That means development, implementation, maintenance, support, and any ongoing services needed to keep things running smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>By looking beyond the initial price tag, organizations can evaluate whether an automation solution will deliver lasting value and truly meet their operational needs.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll break down what TCO means in the context of automation, drawing on our 10+ years of experience in the industry.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2d8fa1;\">What\u2019s included in the TCO of automation? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many cost factors come into play when calculating the total cost of ownership. Let\u2019s look at what\u2019s involved:<\/p>\n<h3>System costs<\/h3>\n<p>The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about automation is the system itself: the hardware and software. In the case of (de)palletizing and item picking systems, this includes components like the robotic arm, gripper, and frame. In some cases, conveyor systems are also part of the automation solution and are included in the system costs. However, if the robotic system needs to connect to your existing conveyor setup, that would fall under integration costs.<\/p>\n<p>And of course, none of it works without the right software. That\u2019s where our in-house development team comes in. Thanks to their work, the system is easy to set up and ready for installation straight away.<\/p>\n<h3>Integration costs<\/h3>\n<p>Of course, a system on its own isn\u2019t enough. You also need to factor in how it integrates with your current setup, or the one you\u2019re aiming for.<\/p>\n<p>Want the system to connect with software like WMS or hardware like AutoStore? That comes under the umbrella of integration costs.<\/p>\n<h3>Installation, maintenance, and training costs<\/h3>\n<p>Getting the system up and running properly at your site is key to a successful automation project. Training your team to operate the system and troubleshoot basic errors is just as important to keep everything running smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re working with Smart Robotics, you don\u2019t need to worry about separate training fees. We believe it\u2019s essential to train your team on how to use the system when you purchase from us.<\/p>\n<p>Maintenance costs help ensure your system continues to perform well for years to come. This includes preventive maintenance and software updates, if needed.<\/p>\n<h3>Servicing and helpdesk<\/h3>\n<p>In the unlikely event that the system stops and your team can\u2019t fix it, our customer success team is ready to help. If you choose to subscribe to our online service and helpdesk, we can jump on a call or even resolve the issue remotely through our connection to the system.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, more than 9 out of 10 calls are fixed on the spot. This helps our customers keep uptime high.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2d8fa1;\">Are TCO and ROI related?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes, the total cost of ownership (TCO) and return on investment (ROI) are closely related. If you can identify the TCO of a solution, it becomes much easier to calculate the potential ROI for your business.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, TCO is not the only factor when determining ROI. Things like time and money saved by the organization, fewer employee shifts, and increased production output also contribute to the overall return.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2d8fa1;\">Curious about the TCO for your business?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019d like to calculate the total cost of ownership for automating a process like palletizing, depalletizing, or item picking, feel free to reach out. Our experts are happy to help you explore whether automation is the right fit, and what kind of return you can expect.<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"author-wrapper\">\r\n                                                                <div class=\"author-img\">\r\n                                                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun.jpg\" alt=\"kamelia kamoun\" title=\"Kamelia Kamoun\" width=\"2315\" height=\"2315\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6037 \" srcset=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun.jpg 2315w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Kamelia-Kamoun-2048x2048.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2315px) 100vw, 2315px\" \/>                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"author-detail\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"author-name\">\r\n                                         \r\n                                            <p>Kamelia Kamoun<\/p>\r\n                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                    <p class=\"author-title\">\r\n                                        Creative Content Writer                                     <\/p>\r\n                                    <div class=\"author-description\">\r\n                                        <p>Kamelia is a creative content writer passionate about robotics and technology. She explores the latest in pick-and-place robots, smarter warehousing, and AI-driven solutions that free employees from repetitive, physically demanding tasks. Her goal is to make complex, tech-heavy topics accessible and engaging for everyone. the<\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"form-wrapper d-block d-lg-none\">\r\n                                    <h4>Get in touch with our team<\/h4>\r\n                                    <div class=\"form-content\">\r\n                                        <script src=\"https:\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/developer\/9125639.js\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><div class=\"hs-form-html\" data-region=\"na1\" data-form-id=\"41c0b4f3-dc2f-4284-a92c-313a4ab8b567\" data-portal-id=\"9125639\"><\/div>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"person-wrapper\">\r\n                                                                                    <div class=\"person-image\">    \r\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Herman-Bliek.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"Herman Bliek\" width=\"97\" height=\"96\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7414  \" \/>                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                                                <div class=\"person-detail\">\r\n                                            <div class=\"person-name\">Herman Bliek<\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"person-title\">Automation specialist<\/div>\r\n                                        <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"form-text\">\r\n                                        <p>This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/intl\/en-GB\/policies\/privacy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/intl\/en-GB\/policies\/terms\/\">Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0apply.<\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                                        <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>  \r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n    <div class=\"separator\" style=\"height: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n  \n\n\r\n    <section class=\"click-to-action\" style=\"background:url(https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mask-Group-13.jpg); background-position: center; background-repeat:no-repeat; background-size:cover;\" id=\"\">\r\n        <div class=\"cta-wrapper row align-items-center text-center\">\r\n            <div class=\"col-xs-12\">\r\n\r\n                <blockquote class=\"title\">Let\u2019s Calculate the Total Cost of Automation for Your Business<\/blockquote>\r\n                                <a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/contact\/\">Get Started Today<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\n\n    <div class=\"separator\" style=\"height: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n  \n\n<section class=\"faq \" id=\"\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center\">\n      <h2 class=\"title\">FAQs<\/h2>\n      <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-10 mx-auto\">\n        <div class=\"faq-accordion accordion\" id=\"faq-accordion\">\n                                                    <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"heading1\">\n                    <button class=\"accordion-button\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse1\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapse1\">\n                      What types of costs are included when calculating TCO?                    <\/button>\n                  <\/h2>\n                  <div id=\"collapse1\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse show \" aria-labelledby=\"heading1\" data-bs-parent=\"#faq-accordion\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-body\">\n                      <p>Typical TCO costs for automation include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>System costs, <\/strong>including\u00a0hardware and software<\/li>\n<li><strong>Integration costs &#8211;<\/strong>\u00a0connecting with an existing or new set-up (e.g., WMS, conveyors)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Installation <\/strong>\u2013 setup and deployment<\/li>\n<li><strong>Maintenance<\/strong> \u2013 regular servicing, software updates, and preventive maintenance<\/li>\n<li><strong>Support and service<\/strong> \u2013 helpdesk access or on-site assistance if required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                              <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"heading2\">\n                    <button class=\"accordion-button\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse2\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapse2\">\n                      What is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in automation?                    <\/button>\n                  <\/h2>\n                  <div id=\"collapse2\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading2\" data-bs-parent=\"#faq-accordion\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-body\">\n                      <p>TCO refers to the complete cost of an automation solution over its full lifecycle. It includes not just the upfront price,\u00a0 but also all related costs such as installation, integration, training, maintenance, and ongoing service. TCO helps companies assess the long-term value and return on their automation investment.<\/p>\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                              <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"heading3\">\n                    <button class=\"accordion-button\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse3\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapse3\">\n                      How does TCO relate to Return on Investment (ROI)?                    <\/button>\n                  <\/h2>\n                  <div id=\"collapse3\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading3\" data-bs-parent=\"#faq-accordion\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-body\">\n                      <p>TCO provides the full picture of costs needed to calculate ROI. By understanding all costs involved, companies can more accurately assess how automation improves productivity, reduces labor costs, and enhances throughput over time.<\/p>\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                              <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"heading4\">\n                    <button class=\"accordion-button\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse4\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapse4\">\n                      How can I reduce the TCO of an automation solution?                    <\/button>\n                  <\/h2>\n                  <div id=\"collapse4\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading4\" data-bs-parent=\"#faq-accordion\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-body\">\n                      <p>Ways to lower TCO include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Choosing systems with built-in remote support and low maintenance requirements<\/li>\n<li>Ensuring flawless integration with your worflows during installation and set-up<\/li>\n<li>Providing thorough operator training to reduce errors and downtime<\/li>\n<li>Partnering with vendors that offer long-term service agreements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/contact\/\" class=\"cta-link\" target=\"_self\">Contact us to get started<\/a>\n                                                                  <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"col-12 more-question\">\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n    <div class=\"separator\" style=\"height: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n  \n\n<section class=\"posts post-related \" id=\"\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                                                                        <div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-stretch gy-5 gy-lg-0\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n                            <div class=\"card post-card\">\n                                <div class=\"card-header\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/warehouse-of-the-future\/\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6106 card-img-top\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/large-warehouse-with-bright-light-coming-through-door-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>                                <\/a>\n                                                                                <div class=\"card-label-wrapper\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <p class=\"card-label\">Blog<\/p>\n                                                                                                                                                                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"card-body\">\n                                    <h5 class=\"card-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/warehouse-of-the-future\/\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">7 key trends shaping the warehouse of the future\u00a0<\/a><\/h5>\n                                    <p class=\"card-date\">05-02-2025<\/p>\n                                    <p class=\"card-text\">What\u2019s next for warehousing? Discover 7 key trends\u2014from AI-driven inventory to cobots\u2014that are transforming the warehouse of the future.<\/p>\n                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/warehouse-of-the-future\/\" class=\"btn\">Read more<\/a>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                    <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n                            <div class=\"card post-card\">\n                                <div class=\"card-header\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/differences-between-palletizing-and-depalletizing\/\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"Pal and Depal (1000 x 550 px)\" width=\"1000\" height=\"550\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7110 card-img-top\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px.png 1000w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px-768x422.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>                                <\/a>\n                                                                                <div class=\"card-label-wrapper\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <p class=\"card-label\">Blog<\/p>\n                                                                                                                                                                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"card-body\">\n                                    <h5 class=\"card-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/differences-between-palletizing-and-depalletizing\/\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">The differences between palletizing and depalletizing<\/a><\/h5>\n                                    <p class=\"card-date\">04-06-2025<\/p>\n                                    <p class=\"card-text\">Palletizing and depalletizing might seem similar, but they have very distinct roles in the world of automation. Learn the key differences, challenges, and how to choose the best solution for your facility.<\/p>\n                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/differences-between-palletizing-and-depalletizing\/\" class=\"btn\">Read more<\/a>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                    <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n                            <div class=\"card post-card\">\n                                <div class=\"card-header\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/safe-collaboration-with-cobots\/\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Pharma-industry-header.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Pharma-industry-header\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1944 card-img-top\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Pharma-industry-header.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Pharma-industry-header-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Pharma-industry-header-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Pharma-industry-header-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Pharma-industry-header-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\" \/>                                <\/a>\n                                                                                <div class=\"card-label-wrapper\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <p class=\"card-label\">Blog<\/p>\n                                                                                                                                                                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"card-body\">\n                                    <h5 class=\"card-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/safe-collaboration-with-cobots\/\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">Working safely with cobots in 2025: Complying with ISO 10218-2\u00a0<\/a><\/h5>\n                                    <p class=\"card-date\">25-06-2025<\/p>\n                                    <p class=\"card-text\">Great advantages of working with cobots are less required floor space and the ability of humans to help the cobots with difficult tasks. But how are we able to guarantee the safety of the operators when they work with and around cobots without a security fence?<\/p>\n                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/safe-collaboration-with-cobots\/\" class=\"btn\">Read more<\/a>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    \n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Wondering what automation will really cost your business? This practical guide breaks down the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) \u2014 from system costs and integration to training, maintenance, and support. Learn how to evaluate long-term value and calculate ROI before investing in automation solutions.","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":7110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"iawp_total_views":229,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What does TCO Look Like in Automation? A Practical Guide (2025)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what\u2019s included in the total cost of ownership of automation, from system and integration costs to training, maintenance, and ROI.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/total-cost-of-ownership-in-automation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What does TCO Look Like in Automation? A Practical Guide (2025)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn what\u2019s included in the total cost of ownership of automation, from system and integration costs to training, maintenance, and ROI.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/total-cost-of-ownership-in-automation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Smart Robotics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-17T13:03:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-19T14:34:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/smart-robotics.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pal-and-Depal-1000-x-550-px.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"550\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kamelia Kamoun\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@smartroboticsnl\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@smartroboticsnl\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kamelia Kamoun\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What does TCO Look Like in Automation? 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