Why purchase equipment only to discover that you're unable to get information from it, electronically, or even get it onto your factory network, simply because this wasn't a thought at the time of purchase?
Too many times I meet with manufacturers who have been left with an 'island', a piece of equipment that certainly does the job, but 'closed' in its architecture and not able to be part of a connected factory.
If you consider these questions BEFORE you purchase a piece of equipment, you can be assured that you're not buying an island and unintentionally leading your business into a cul-de-sac purchase!
This will ensure that as you grow, the option of an integration framework later on is open to you, or that you can incorporate the kit into a smart(er) factory environment with minimal pain.
I hope it helps you with your purchasing decisions.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.