ROI - Return on Investment - pre-pandemic vs post-pandemic. How ROI looked before the pandemic is completely different in a post-pandemic world. Does your perspective on ROI need to change as well? Traditionally, the focus for production engineering was to increase production. Automation was trying to increase production which meant getting more out of the line without adding people. And, in some unfortunate instances, there were times where it reduced the number of associates. Increasing production is a good goal to have. But is it the correct goal in a post-pandemic world when labor is difficult to find? When there are lots of job openings but no applications coming in, the whole ROI has to turn on its head. In the absence of labor, the goal should be the creation of labor. It's all about survival at this point. Automation in today's world doesn't mean reducing labor; it's reclassifying the labor you already have to processes that are more expensive or impossible to automate. In the past, automation was expensive. Now as we're reemerging from the pandemic, can you afford not to automate? elliTek's mission is one of empowerment. Whether you're a local customer or across the planet, we are here to help.  Reach out to us with any questions or future topics! LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/ellitek-incInstagram:  www.instagram.com/ellitekFacebook:  www.facebook.com/ellitekTwitter:  www.twitter.com/elliTek_Inc/mediaIf you don't want to click on those links, pick up the phone to call us at (865) 409-1555 ext. 804. Here is the link to the Control System Integrators Association, https://www.controlsys.org/home. Here is the link to the Exchange where you can find Integrators and Suppliers, https://www.csiaexchange.com/.