Manufacturers of medical equipment knew that as COVID-19 spread, they’d have to increase production at unprecedented rates. Still, it was impossible to anticipate the scale of the need, which would force some companies to find new ways to manufacture equipment. It required others to fast-track the development of critical products focused on test automation and vaccine development. No matter the path, manufacturers would lean heavily on technology to get more equipment out the door and meet rapidly increasing demand.
“From ventilators to liquid handling equipment and robotics, manufacturers depend on technology to produce the equipment and materials the world is counting on to fight COVID-19,” said Bryan Jones, senior vice president and general manager, Design Solutions, Dell Technologies. “These companies have seen huge increases in demand and are pushing to complete projects on extremely short timelines. I’ve been inspired by how so many manufacturers are looking at this situation in innovative ways, thinking about what’s possible rather than all the obstacles they have to overcome, with the ultimate goal of treating patients and saving lives. We, at Dell Technologies, are proud to work alongside them.”
Dell Technologies has partnered with manufacturers around the world to get more life-saving equipment out the door faster. Here are just a few examples:
- In addition to meeting urgent demand from large customers, industrial giant Honeywell decided to convert some of its U.S. factories to produce N95 masks and hand sanitizer when COVID-19 hit. The company had to deliver on its commitments while enabling most non-manufacturing employees to work from home. On top of all this, Honeywell faced potential manufacturing delays because of plant closures in India and Mexico; a tornado that damaged a warehouse in Nashville, Tenn.; and delivery complications caused by closed borders. To support manufacturing production in new and challenging environments, Honeywell worked closely with Dell Technologies to have its office employees working from home within eight days by establishing VPNs, remote access and encryption for 30,000 desktops. Dell Technologies also fast-tracked the configuration and deployment of more than 3,000 laptops, as well as hundreds of workstations and desktops. In addition, Dell Technologies Design Solutions met aggressive timeframes for delivery of hundreds of workstations and servers globally to support remote work. Now, the companies are discussing continuous improvements to enhance the overall work from home experience for all employees.
- Seattle-area firmVentec Life Systems developed the first and only Multi-Function Ventilator – VOCSN – which combines a ventilator, oxygen concentrator, cough assist, suction and nebulizer into one unified respiratory system. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Ventec knew it had to increase production. The company was used to producing approximately 150-200 VOCSN critical care ventilators per month. However, increasing that number five times still wouldn’t be enough to meet demand. With PCs and servers from Dell Technologies and financing from Dell Financial Services, Ventec teamed with General Motors to produce VOCSN critical care ventilators at a GM facility in Indiana, employing about 1,000 people and taking giant steps toward filling the federal order of 30,000 VOCSN critical care ventilators, with additional ventilators to be manufactured after that order is complete.
- Auto racing giant McLaren, a long-time Dell Technologies customer, is part of a group of UK-based Formula 1 teams, engine manufacturers and their respective technology arms committed to producing ventilators for the UK. The VentilatorChallengeUK consortium has been working hard to answer the UK Government’s calls for additional ventilators in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and in 10 weeks the consortium produced the number of ventilators that would have been produced in 10 years. The consortium is focused on two models of ventilators based on existing technologies and ability to be assembled with parts currently in production. Together, Dell Technologies and McLaren are providing consulting services to the consortium. Dell Technologies has also provided equipment for the ventilator assembly sites, including conferencing equipment, workstations, interactive monitors for production line monitoring and laptops to enable remote working for team members.
- Hamilton Bonaduz AG’s laboratory customers depend on the Switzerland-based firm for a variety of life-saving technologies, including equipment that automates testing for COVID-19, vaccine development and ventilators. COVID-19 prompted a surge in demand for Hamilton equipment from customers like global health care suppliers. Because of a close and longstanding relationship with Dell Technologies Design Solutions, Hamilton was able to upgrade its technology and lean on Dell Technologies consulting, custom imaging and support services. The result was successful fast-tracking of delivery, prioritizing COVID-19 and shipping Hamilton equipment within five days.
Learn more about how Dell Technologies’ Design Solutions is enabling customers and partners to redesign their business models and transform their production lines.
