SAT
Also: Site Acceptance Test, SAT-Test, Standortabnahmetest, Abnahmetest vor Ort, Site-Acceptance-Test
AI-generated
The Site Acceptance Test (SAT) is an acceptance test carried out at the actual installation site of a system to ensure that it functions correctly under real operating conditions.
Key facts
- The SAT takes place after installation at the actual site of operation and tests the system under real operating conditions.
- It is typically the final formal acceptance stage before operational responsibility is transferred to the operator.
- The test plan, acceptance criteria, and defect classification should be contractually defined before the project begins.
- Critical defects block acceptance; less severe issues can be recorded in a defect list and remediated subsequently.
- The SAT complements the FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and together they form the complete acceptance process.
What is the Site Acceptance Test?
The Site Acceptance Test (SAT) is a structured testing procedure that takes place after the installation of a system, conveying system, or software solution at its actual site of operation. Unlike the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), which is conducted at the manufacturer's or integrator's premises, the SAT tests the system under real environmental conditions: live infrastructure, actual interfaces, and — where possible — production data or realistic test data sets. In intralogistics, the SAT is frequently part of a contractually agreed acceptance process and marks the transfer of operational responsibility from the supplier to the operator.
How does a SAT work in practice?
Prior to the SAT, the project team jointly defines a test plan derived from the requirements specification or functional specification. This plan contains specific test cases, expected results, and abort criteria. Typical test points in intralogistics include:
- Throughput tests under defined load scenarios (e.g. picks per hour, pallet movements)
- Availability and error rate measurements over a defined period
- Interface tests with ERP, WMS, or higher-level control systems
- Emergency and restart scenarios (power failure, communication errors)
- Ergonomics and safety checks in accordance with applicable regulations
Identified defects are documented and classified by severity, usually according to a previously agreed scheme (e.g. critical, major, minor). Critical defects block acceptance until they are resolved; for less severe issues, a conditional acceptance with a defect list may be agreed.
What matters when planning and evaluating a SAT?
A common point of dispute is the question of which acceptance criteria are considered fulfilled. It is advisable to define measurable threshold values in the contract from the outset — such as a minimum availability of X percent over Y operating hours — rather than vague formulations such as "flawless operation".
Related terms
- Abnahmeprozess (FAT/SAT)
The acceptance process (FAT/SAT) comprises two consecutive test phases used to verify that intralogistics systems comply with contractual requirements before commissioning.
- Automations-Panel
An automation panel is an industrial-grade operator panel that serves as an HMI interface between operating personnel and automated systems in intralogistics. It enables manual control, monitoring, and parameterization of conveyor, storage, and picking systems directly on-site.
- Automatisierung
Automation refers to the use of technologies and systems to execute processes fully or partially without human intervention. In intralogistics, the spectrum ranges from simple conveyor systems to fully automated high-bay warehouses with autonomous vehicles.
- Business Case Automatisierung
The Business Case Automation evaluates, from an economic and operational perspective, whether an investment in warehouse or intralogistics automation is justified. It summarizes costs, benefits, risks, and assumptions in a structured way, forming the basis for management approval decisions.