Although economic uncertainty looms, investments in robotics automation continue growing - installations are projected to rise 7% yearly through 2026. Surveys show most businesses intend to maintain or increase automation spending despite broader cuts. However, delayed decisions often obstruct this priority.

With lengthy sales cycles spanning weeks to a year, companies must start vetting 2024 robotics investments this year. Belated budgeting forces rushed vendor decisions risking suboptimal ROI. Late approvals can also postpone deployments, delaying competitiveness gains.

The key is quantifying automation potential through clear metrics before involving suppliers. Define goals like headcount/throughput improvements or waste reductions to estimate the business case. This quickly spots bad investments to avoid wasted negotiations while securing funding for ones demonstrating returns.

Without targets, determining appropriate supplier spend is challenging. Most systems involve customization obscuring upfront pricing. Requiring detailed proposals initially also wastes supplier time if metrics ultimately show unprofitability.

Preliminary quotes supplying cost ranges, however, validate opportunities early. Marketplaces like HowToRobot show budgetary feedback highlighting scope feasibility within weeks. This focuses deeper discussions only on truly promising options.

Essentially, companies must start the research and planning phase immediately to confirm automation cases before budget freezes. Dry-running objective business criteria prevents losing late-materializing capital on short notice. It also ensures managing the lengthy vendor dialogue for large complex projects destined approval.

Careful preparation empowers both technology buyers and providers to efficiently invest limited resources only in opportunities guaranteeing mutual success. As economic instability breeds further urgency on dependable automation productivity gains, getting ready now is key to deploying next year.