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Paperless Manufacturing: Your Guide to Transitioning to a Paperless Factory

Learn how to digitize your operations and build a paperless factory in this paperless manufacturing guide from Augmentir.

Manually managing and tracking production in manufacturing has become a thing of the past. That’s because manufacturers are adopting a new digital approach: paperless manufacturing.

Paperless manufacturing uses software to manage shop floor execution, digitize work instructions, execute workflows, automate record-keeping and scheduling, and communicate with shop floor employees. More recently, this approach also digitizes skills tracking and performance assessments for shop floor workers to help optimize workforce onboarding, training, and ongoing management. This technology is made up of cloud-based software, mobile and wearable technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and advanced analytics.

More recently, your journey to paperless manufacturing is being accelerated through the availability of generative AI assistants and supporting import tools that can streamline the conversion of existing content into interactive, mobile-ready content for your frontline teams.

paperless manufacturing and digital factory

Paperless manufacturing software uses interactive screens, dashboards, data collection, sensors, and reporting filters to show real-time insights into your factory operations. If you want to learn more about paperless manufacturing processes, explore this guide to learn about the following:

What is a paperless factory?

A paperless factory uses AI-powered software to manage production, keep track of records, and optimize jobs being executed on the shop floor. Paperless manufacturing is intended to replace written record-keeping as well as paper-based work instructions, checklists, and SOPs, and keep track of records digitally.

For example, in most manufacturing operations, everything from quality inspections to operator rounds and planned and autonomous maintenance is done on a regular basis to make sure factory equipment is operating properly and quality and safety standards are met. In most manufacturing plants, these activities are done manually with paper-based instructions, checklists, or forms.

Operators and shop floor workers in paperless factories use software to execute work procedures and see production tasks in ordered sequences, which enables them to implement tasks accordingly. Workers are able to view operating procedures, or digital work instructions, using mobile devices (wearables, tablets, etc.) in real-time.

benefits of digital work instructions

Furthermore, paperless manufacturing incorporates the digitization of shop floor training, skills tracking, certifications, and assessments.  This digital approach uses skills management software helps optimize HR-based processes that were previously managed via paper or spreadsheets, and includes the ability to:

  • Create, track, and manage employee skills
  • Instantly visualize the skills gaps in your team
  • Schedule or assign jobs based on worker skill level and proficiency
  • Close skill gaps with continuous learning
  • Make data-driven drive operational decisions

digital skills management in a paperless factory

What are the benefits of going paperless in manufacturing?

There are a number of reasons for factories to go paperless, from cost-effectiveness to increased productivity and sustainability. A paperless system can revolutionize production processes, workforce management, and business operations.

Here are the top benefits of going paperless:

  1. Accelerate employee onboarding: By digitizing onboarding and moving training into the flow of work, manufacturers can reduce new hire onboarding time by 82%.
  2. Increase productivity: Digitizing manufacturing operations means no more manual, paper-based data collection or record-keeping. Workers have more time to run their equipment, execute shop floor tasks, and find solutions to problems.
  3. Boost data accuracy: People are prone to making mistakes, but digital data capture and validation can help offset human error and improve accuracy.
  4. Improved workforce management: Digital skills tracking and AI-based workforce analytics can help optimize production operations and maximize worker output.
  5. Manage real-time operations: Human-machine interface systems eliminate the need for paper, files, and job tickets. This means that workers can analyze inventory and other data in real-time.
  6. Save money: Although going paperless means that the cost of paper is eliminated, the savings extend beyond that. With greater productivity, operations in real-time, and improved production optimization, costs can be reduced in many areas.

How do you go paperless in manufacturing?

Going paperless starts with digitizing activities across the factory floor to increase productivity, and extending that value through a digital connection between the shop floor and enterprise manufacturing systems. We lay out below the four basic steps for how to go paperless in manufacturing:

Step 1: Digitize your existing content with Gen AI and Connected Worker technology.

Paperless manufacturing starts with the use of modern, digital tools that can quickly and easily digitize and convert your existing paper-based content. Tools like Augmentir’s Augie™, a generative AI suite of technologies, helps you import and convert existing content regardless of format. Once converted, Connected Worker solutions that incorporate enhanced mobile capabilities and combine training and skills tracking with connected worker technology and on-the-job digital guidance can deliver significant additional value. A key requirement to start is to identify high-value use cases that can benefit from digitization, such as quality control or inspection procedures, lockout tagout procedures, safety reporting, layered process audits, or autonomous maintenance procedures.

Pro Tip

You can now import existing PDF, Word, or Excel documents (just like the PDF above) directly into Augmentir to create digital, interactive work procedures and checklists using Augie™, a Generative AI content creation tool from Augmentir. Learn more about Augie – your industrial Generative AI Assistant.

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Step 2: Augment your workers with AI and Connected Worker technology.

AI-based connected worker solutions can help both digitize work instructions and deliver that guidance in a way that is personalized to the individual worker and their performance. AI Bots that leverage generative AI and GPT-like AI models can assist workers with language translation, feedback, on-demand answers, access to knowledge through natural language, and provide a comprehensive digital performance support tool.

As workers become more connected, companies have access to a rich source of job activity, execution, and tribal data, and with proper AI tools can gain insights into areas where the largest improvement opportunities exist.

Step 3: Set up IoT sensors for machine health monitoring.

The industrial Internet of Things (IoT) uses sensors to boost manufacturing processes. IoT sensors are connected through the web using wireless or 4G/5G networks to transmit data right from the shop floor. The use of machine health monitoring tools along with connected worker technology can provide a comprehensive shop floor solution.

Step 4: Connect your frontline to your enterprise.

Digitally connected frontline operations solutions not only enable industrial companies to digitize work instructions, checklists, and SOPs, but also allow them to create digital workflows and integrations that fully incorporate the frontline workers into the digital thread of their business.

The digital thread represents a connected data flow across a manufacturing enterprise – including people, systems, and machines. By incorporating the activities and data from these previously disconnected workers, business processes are accelerated, and this new source of data provides newfound opportunities for innovation and improvement.

 

Augmentir provides a unique Connected Worker solution that uses AI to help manufacturing companies intelligently onboard, train, guide, and support frontline workers so each worker can contribute at their individual best, helping achieve production goals in today’s era of workforce disruption.

Our solution is a SaaS-based suite of software tools that helps customers digitize and optimize all frontline processes including Autonomous and Preventive Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Assembly.

paperless factory

 

Transform how your company runs its frontline operations. Request a live demo today!

 

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How Digital Standard Work Promotes Operational Excellence in Manufacturing

Learn how Digital Standard Work effectively transforms manufacturing production and enables operational excellence.

Manufacturing organizations are feeling the pressure of increased customer demands, skilled labor shortages, and intense shifts in their frontline workforces, however, they can effectively overcome these obstacles with digital standard work enabled by smart connected worker technology. Digital standard work promotes operational excellence in manufacturing through facilitated knowledge-sharing, enhanced process standardization, increased employee engagement, improved workforce agility, and overall optimization of workforce abilities.

digital standard work in manufacturing

Standardized work in manufacturing (centerlining, machine setup/maintenance, inspection checklists, workforce training, lubrication procedures, etc.) is effective for continuously improving the most efficient and safe methods for performing work to meet customer demand while minimizing waste. Digital Standard Work takes these processes one step further, enhancing them with digital technology to establish a true culture of continuous improvement where frontline workers and shop floor processes benefit from digital workflows, collaboration, AI-powered guidance, generative AI assistants, real-time access to centralized knowledge bases, and more.

By redefining standard work for the digital age, manufacturers can achieve operational excellence through increased efficiency, quality, flexibility, and innovation across their frontline workforces. Read more on Digital Standard Work and how it effectively transforms manufacturing production and enables success:

Digitizing Standard Work in Manufacturing

According to Forbes and McKinsey, through digital tools manufacturers can reduce machine downtime by 30% to 50% and quality-related costs can be reduced by 10% to 20%. Effectively digitizing manufacturing standard work through smart, AI-driven connected worker technology involves:

  • Interactive Digital Work Instructions
    Replace paper-based standard operating procedures (SOPs) with interactive digital work instructions that include multimedia elements like videos, images, and animations. These can be accessed by workers on tablets, wearables, and other mobile devices right on the shop floor.
  • Data Capture and Integration
    Leverage smart tools and sensors to automatically capture data from the manufacturing process, such as torque values, cycle times, and quality checks. This data can be integrated into the digital work instructions to provide real-time feedback and ensure adherence to standards.
  • Workflow Automation
    Automate non-value-added tasks like data entry, approvals, and documentation through connected worker platforms. This streamlines workflows, reduces errors, and frees workers to focus on value-adding activities aligned with standard work.
  • Knowledge Management
    Digitize and centralize tribal knowledge, best practices, and process documentation in a connected worker platform. This ensures standardized methods are easily accessible and updatable for consistent knowledge sharing across the workforce.

Using smart, connected worker platforms to digitize and optimize standard work in manufacturing drives improved productivity, ensures better and more consistent product quality, and fosters a safer work environment for enhanced operational success. Connected worker platforms that digitize standard work can also be used to support a company’s broader IWS  (integrated work systems) strategy, which helps improve operational excellence in manufacturing.

Pro Tip

Using a low-code no-code workflow builder simplifies the creation of complex digital workflows for frontline work processes. Furthermore, integrating remote collaboration tools facilitates real-time guidance, knowledge sharing, and the ability to update standard work procedures based on captured tribal knowledge.

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Engaging Frontline Workers with Digital Standard Work

As manufacturing workforces shift due to retirement and tribal knowledge loss, effective workforce training has become critical for continued success. Interactive digital interfaces, augmented and enhanced capabilities, and wearable technologies make standard work practices like workforce training more engaging and accessible, improving workforce adoption and adherence.

Digital tools facilitate information visibility and knowledge sharing among frontline workers, enabling them to learn from each other, share best practices, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. By tracking and analyzing performance data from digital systems, manufacturers can identify top performers, provide personalized feedback, and recognize achievements, fostering a sense of engagement and motivation among frontline workers.

Digital Standard Work empowers frontline workers by involving them in process improvements, recognizing their contributions, and providing opportunities for learning and growth, leading to increased job satisfaction and commitment. By leveraging digital technologies and interactive interfaces, manufacturers can transform Standard Work procedures into engaging and empowering experiences for their frontline workforce, driving productivity, quality, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Most importantly it gives manufacturing frontline and factory staff the tools they need to be successful and thus create a more satisfied environment where employees come to work and feel good about what they are doing and how they are doing it.

Driving More Effective Collaboration

Digital standard work also facilitates better collaboration across your frontline teams. Effective communication starts with digital tools, and by implementing digital standard work with connected worker technology, manufacturers can connect frontline team members across shifts, departments, locations, and languages, improving visibility into workforce planning, training, skills tracking, daily management, troubleshooting, and more.

industrial collaboration with augmentir

From frontline workers to executives, a digital standard work strategy that leverages connected worker technology allows employees to collaborate seamlessly and easily access information. Connected worker solutions that include industrial collaboration tools allow workers to virtually connect to subject matter experts for remote guidance and assistance. These software tools are becoming commonplace in manufacturing and other industrial settings, where companies are faced with an increasingly distributed and remote workforce, yet still require team collaboration to help troubleshoot and resolve issues. In a nutshell, workers can get more done with greater accuracy in less time.

Interested in learning more?

If you’d like to learn more about how Augmentir and our AI-powered connected worker solution digitizes standard work, streamlines operations, improves communication, and empowers frontline workers with the tools and information they need, schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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Say Hello to Augie!

Say hello to the newest addition to the Augmentir platform, Augie – the GenAI powered digital assistant for manufacturing.

Say hello to the future of work in manufacturing with the latest addition to Augmentir’s suite of connected worker tools, Augie™.

augie generative ai assistant for manufacturing

Augie is a digital assistant for frontline operations that utilizes Generative AI and proprietary fit-for-purpose, pre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance operational efficiency, problem-solving, and decision-making for today’s less experienced frontline industrial workers. It leverages enterprise-wide data, provides instant access to relevant information, closes skills gaps with personalized support, offers insights into standard work and skills inventory, and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement.

Augie is a result of our dedication to empowering frontline workers, leveraging AI to support manufacturing operations, and giving manufacturing workers better tools to do their jobs safely and more efficiently.

Continue reading below to learn more about how Augie works and how it can benefit your frontline workforce and manufacturing operations:

How our GenAI Powered Assistant Works

Generative AI-powered smart manufacturing assistants are designed to provide secure, role-based, personalized assistance to frontline workers, engineers, and managers in various industries, including manufacturing.

They work by leveraging artificial intelligence and integrations across different software systems, providing guidance and assistance in various tasks to enhance productivity and performance. This includes providing data insights, recommendations on actions to improve performance, and the ability to create analyses and dashboards with a natural language-based assistant.

A majority of smart manufacturing assistants only draw their information from manufacturing execution systems (MES), without tying in other important systems necessary for frontline manufacturing success.

Augie, however, is different. It leverages enterprise-wide data tying in information from a wide range of platforms including operational data, training and workforce management data, connected worker and engineering data, as well as information from enterprise systems.

gen ai industrial manufacturing

How Augie Benefits Your Frontline Workforce

Augie is unique among other smart manufacturing assistants. It leverages proprietary fit-for-purpose, pre-trained LLMs and generative AI, coupled with robust security and permissions, to help factory managers, operators, and engineers improve efficiency, resolve issues faster, and prevent downtime.

With information readily available via Augie, frontline workers can make decisions faster, reduce downtime, and improve troubleshooting with instant access to summarized facts relevant to a job or task. Additionally, Augie is multi-modal, meaning it can return actionable information in the form of work procedures, training videos, recorded collaborations, engineering documents and SOPs, as well as tribal knowledge.

Through Augie, manufacturers can instantly:

  • Close skills and experience gaps with personalized support
  • Gain insights into Leader Standard Work
  • Gain new insights into skills inventories
  • Convert Tribal Knowledge into Digital Corporate Assets
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement
  • Forecast potential operational issues

augie gen ai industrial assistant troubleshooting

With Augie by your side, you can streamline manufacturing operations, optimize performance, empower your frontline workforces, and stay ahead in today’s rapidly evolving and competitive landscape.

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Improve Operational Efficiency with Augie and Augmentir

The digitization of frontline processes has become a must-have to keep up with the velocity of change – but not just digitization … smart digitization. Recently, Deloitte found that 86% of manufacturing executives believe smart factory solutions will be the primary drivers of competitiveness in the next five years. Leveraging smart, AI-driven connected worker solutions that allow industrial organizations to best support their frontline workforces and optimize processes to make them safer and more efficient is critical to overall enterprise success.

At Augmentir, we have been met with continued success in our efforts to transform manufacturing operations. Our patented Smart AI foundation helps manufacturing organizations close the loop between training and work execution, delivering the data and in-line insights necessary to continuously improve operational excellence day-over-day, year-over-year. Augmentir is the world’s leading connected worker solution, combining smart connected worker and GenAI technologies to drive continuous improvement and enhance performance management initiatives in manufacturing.

The addition of Augie to our platform is a game-changer for factory floor and other frontline workers, allowing for quick reference troubleshooting and useful, contextualized information to be delivered at the moment of need. Furthermore, with Augie, less experienced workers are provided with additional support and individualized guidance based on the job or task needs.

With patented AI-driven insights that digitize and optimize manufacturing workflows, training and development, workforce allocation, and operational excellence, Augmentir is trusted by manufacturing leaders as a digital transformation partner delivering measurable results across operations. Schedule a live demo today to learn more.

 

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How to Digitize Your Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) Program with Connected Worker Technology

Explore how to digitize Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) programs and processes with an AI-powered Connected Worker Platform for improved efficiency, accuracy, and better results.

Operator Driven Reliability programs, a.k.a. ODR programs, empower frontline operators to take an active role in equipment maintenance and reliability. It recognizes that due to operators’ constant contact with equipment, they are the best situated to detect any potential issues and take preventative steps before any damage is caused.

operator driven reliability odr program

While ODR programs are forward-thinking and apply the same lean manufacturing principles found in autonomous maintenance, in many cases they still have room for improvement. For example, in too many instances manufacturing ODR programs are still completed using outdated pen-and-paper procedures. This causes tasks like plant operator rounds to take far longer than they would if reports, checklists, and work instructions were digitized and delivered via a smart connected worker platform.

Then not only would equipment maintenance and reliability be streamlined and faster, but there would also be a digital footprint available for operational activities like process improvement, data analysis, audit reporting, and more. Read below to discover the benefits of a digital ODR program, including best practices, real-world examples, and insights into the future of ODR and workforce dynamics in manufacturing.

The Benefits of a Digital ODR Program

Digital Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) programs offer significant advantages over traditional pen-and-paper methods. AI-driven connected worker platforms play a crucial role offering integrations with existing systems like ERP, CMMS, MES, and QMS, supporting ODR training with guided support and tutorials, encouraging continuous improvement through performance tracking and digital skills assessments, and even facilitating enhanced industrial collaboration with real-time communication and cross-shift knowledge-sharing.

Further benefits of a digital ODR program include:

  • Enhanced Data Collection and Analysis: Connected worker platforms allow for real-time data capture from operators on the condition of equipment and AI-driven analytics are able to identify trends, offer actionable insights, and predict potential issues.
  • Digital Workflow Optimization: Digital work instructions and checklists optimize and streamline tasks and procedures, standardizing ODR activities, and automating task assignments and reminders for an increase in efficiency and accuracy.
  • AI-Driven Insights and Decision Making: AI-powered tools coupled with data collected through connected worker platforms offer visibility into the frontline workforce like never before, enabling better workforce intelligence, informed decisions about equipment maintenance and reliability, predictive maintenance based on historical data, and more.
  • Digital Documentation and Compliance: Digital forms and checklists offer automatic logging of ODR activities and equipment interventions, easy access to up-to-date standard operating procedures (SOPs), and digital audit trails for regulatory compliance. Overall, digitizing the documentation processes for ODR programs ensures better accountability and regulatory adherence.
Pro Tip

With AI-driven connected worker technology, manufacturers can effectively digitize their ODR programs, significantly enhancing equipment reliability, reducing downtime, and improving overall operational efficiency in manufacturing environments.

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Digital Operator Driven Reliability – Best Practices and Examples

Implementing a digital ODR program helps manufacturers empower frontline operators, engaging workers with an active role in equipment maintenance and reliability, leading to reduced downtime, improved productivity, and better overall equipment performance.

Below are some best practices and industry examples of digital ODR programs in real-world situations.

Best practices for digital ODR programs:

  • Implement robust data collection and analysis systems
  • Provide mobile accessibility for operators
  • Use digital work instructions and checklists
  • Enable real-time communication and collaboration
  • Integrate with existing systems (ERP, EAM, CMMS, MES)
  • Leverage AI-powered analytics and predictive maintenance
  • Offer digital training, knowledge management, and skill development tools

digital operator driven reliability with autonomous maintenance checklist cil

 

Autonomous Maintenance Checklist
Free Template
Standardize your autonomous maintenance routines with our free Autonomous Maintenance Checklist Template. Download our PDF template to get started, and learn more about digitizing your autonomous maintenance process with Augmentir.
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Industry examples of digital ODR in action:

  • Chemical Manufacturing Plants – Refinery and chemical operators conduct regular valve inspections and adjustments, using digital operator round planning tools to schedule routines and automate notifications.
  • Food and Beverage Production – Packaging line operators inspecting sealing mechanisms for proper operation can log equipment condition data into digital systems, clean and lubricate equipment fittings, and provide observations to maintenance teams supported by digital media assets like pictures and videos.
  • Pulp and Paper Mills – Operators conduct regular visual inspections of the Fourdrinier wire (the mesh screen that forms the paper sheet) for signs of wear, damage, or misalignment and use, using digital checklists to streamline and standardize inspection processes and document any minor repairs or adjustments made during their shift.

Through digital ODR practices, manufacturing frontline operators can help detect early signs of problems, maintain optimal machine performance, and contribute to reduced downtime and improved product quality.

The Future of ODR Programs and the Manufacturing Workforce

Manufacturing currently faces a series of crises, ranging from a severe shortage of skilled workers to an insurmountable increase in customer demand – industrial organizations are working hard to keep their facilities producing and their heads above water while still maintaining industry standards.

Many manufacturers continue to experience high frontline worker disengagement and attrition rates, a recent study by The Manufacturing Institute and PwC stated that more than one-third of manufacturers reported high turnover rates, while only 58% carried out proper frontline employee engagement initiatives.

Using AI-driven connected worker platforms to digitize programs like ODR that incorporate frontline operators and engage them in meaningful tasks using their expertise is the best path forward for manufacturing organizations regardless of their industry focus. These platforms allow for quick adoption of new processes and adaptation of current processes based on market needs/demands. They support frontline workers like never before, giving them access to tools like generative AI assistants and expert knowledge and guidance at a moment’s notice.

The future of manufacturing lies in the hands of the next generations of workers and it’s the responsibility of industrial organizations to equip them with the right tools to keep them safe and ensure they can carry out their duties effectively.

Interested in learning more?

To learn more about digitizing Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) and how to transform your frontline manufacturing activities with our AI-powered connected worker platform – schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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Frost & Sullivan Names Augmentir the Leader on the Frost Radar™: Augmented Connected Worker Platforms, 2024

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The latest Frost & Sullivan Radar report recognizes Augmentir as the Leading Augmented Connected Worker Platform.

Augmented Connected Worker (ACW) solutions revolutionize manufacturing and industrial operations and Augmentir is leading the way!

The recent Frost & Sullivan Radar report recognized Augmentir as the Leading ACW Solution with our AI-powered connected worker platform. AWC is a concept that combines the methodologies behind connected worker and augmented worker initiatives to provide a clearer, more accurate picture of what the future of manufacturing work looks like.

augmentir named the leader in frost radar for augmented connected worker platforms 2024

Read below to learn more about Augmentir in the Frost Radar report and how ACW technologies benefit both manufacturers and their workers alike.

The Frost & Sullivan Augmented Connected Worker Radar Report 2024

The Frost & Sullivan Radar Report, or Frost Radar™, is an analytical tool that benchmarks the future growth of leading organizations across multiple industries. Through careful selection and research across criteria that encompasses 2 major indices and 10 evaluation criteria, analysts select organizations that will be able to successfully support users into the future.

This edition of the Frost Radar, ranked Augmentir #1 out of all the ACW vendors. Augmentir empowers organizations to embrace Augmented Connected Worker initiatives through a comprehensive platform that combines connected worker and AI technologies to connect and support frontline workers like never before.

frost radar augmented connected worker platforms

As manufacturing workers become more interconnected, they can use AI tools in conjunction with smart connected worker solutions to gain insights that pinpoint areas with significant potential for improvement, this allows them to truly augment their workforces equipping them with the knowledge and abilities to complete their work safely and competently.

For more information on the Frost Radar, and the evaluation methodology used by Frost & Sullivan, click here.

Augmentir Ranked #1 Connected Worker Platform, Most Complete Solution on the Market

Frost & Sullivan has identified nine functionalities that are essential for a complete ACW solution.

  1. Knowledge and data management. The solution serves as a repository of knowledge.
  2. Work assistance and productivity. It provides digital tools to enhance frontline workers’ tasks, such as digital work instructions, digital Kanban boards, and navigation guidance.
  3. Seamless experience. The solution must be easily accessible from available devices (phones, tablets, wearables) to integrate seamlessly into everyday operations.
  4. Skills management. This serves as an extension for learning management systems (LMS) and provides supervisors and plant managers the necessary tools to upskill the workforce.
  5. Channel for communication. The solution offers native features to enable collaboration across operations, such as remote assistance, multi-site or multi-team workflows, and news feeds.
  6. Reporting and analytics. This refers to pre-built dashboards with workforce and task execution data. The ACW platform can also provide tools for configuring custom dashboards and integrating data from other systems.
  7. Integrations. The solution comes with a variety of pre-built connectors and tools to easily build new integrations to common systems.
  8. Platform capabilities. NC and LC development environments allow the building of digital procedures, workflows, training programs, and dashboards. Standard templates are available to accelerate time to value and the default deployment option is cloud-based.
  9. Integrated AI. The solution leverages AI in one or more ways. AI-enabled features include predictive maintenance, automatic creation of workflows/digital work instructions/troubleshooting procedures based on video or worker input, automatic analysis and optimization recommendations for processes, AI-powered search engines, copilots, live translations, and more.

Frost & Sullivan ranked Augmentir as a Leader in both innovation and growth within the ACW solution landscape.

According to Frost & Sullivan:

Augmentir offers one of the most comprehensive ACW solutions in the market. Its new AI copilot sets it apart from most other products in the market by covering a variety of use cases. The company’s plans to leverage engagement data from the workforce is a unique initiative in the current market. All these factors contribute to making Augmentir the leader in the Frost Radar Innovation Index.

Augmenting Frontline Workers with an AI Platform for Connected Work

Manufacturing is uniquely situated as an industry to benefit from Augmented Connected Worker solutions leveraging AI-powered connected worker technology for process improvements, quality, management, enhanced training, and more. ACW initiatives facilitate faster onboarding, increased workforce flexibility, and the retention of essential knowledge.

augmentir connected worker platform

AI – including generative AI tools, software, and assistants – plays a crucial role in ACW initiatives, addressing overarching trends like skills variability and the loss of tribal knowledge within the workforce. It serves as the cornerstone for implementing data-driven improvements in operational performance and continuous enhancement.

At Augmentir, we believe that a connected worker platform’s purpose goes beyond just delivering instructions and remote support; it should continually optimize the entire connected worker ecosystem and augment the capabilities of frontline workers. With this in mind, we introduced Augie™ – our generative AI assistant for industrial work, in early 2023.

With Augie, manufacturers can unlock previously untapped potential in their frontline personnel and operations. Our recent expansion and enhancements now offer the first-ever suite of dedicated GenAI assistants for manufacturing enterprises covering anything from Troubleshooting, Operations, and Data Insights, to Content Creation and even GenAI-as-a-Service.

Interested in learning more?

If you’d like to learn more about Augmentir and see how our AI-powered connected worker platform enables Augmented Connected Worker initiatives to improve safety, quality, and productivity across your workforce, schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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Duracell Joins Augmentir’s Customer Advisory Board

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Duracell, the world’s #1 consumer battery manufacturer, is now part of Augmentir’s Customer Advisory Board, joining Colgate-Palmolive, Sargento, Graphic Packaging, and Hunter Industries.

When it comes to high-performance batteries, there’s one brand that everyone knows and loves – Duracell.

We are excited to announce that the world’s #1 consumer battery manufacturer is now part of Augmentir’s Customer Advisory Board. Duracell’s collaboration and expertise are a major leap forward in our mission to transform industrial work and empower frontline workers worldwide with AI-driven connected worker solutions.

augmentir welcomes duracell to customer advisory board

Duracell’s commitment to innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with our vision of leveraging connected worker and AI technology to augment and transform the industrial workforce. With Duracell on board, we are set to supercharge our innovation and advance our impact on the connected worker market and manufacturing arena.

Our Customer Advisory Board was announced last September and consists of leading manufacturers from a wide range of industries who understand the importance of today’s unique industrial workforce challenges. Duracell joins other leading manufacturers including:

  • Colgate-Palmolive
  • Graphic Packaging International, LLC
  • Hitachi Energy
  • Hunter Industries
  • Sargento

This powerhouse lineup underscores our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the industrial workforce. With Duracell and our other board members actively helping guide and shape the development of our AI-powered connected worker platform, we’re making sure it meets the industry’s needs head-on.

Collaborating for AI-Driven Connected Worker Innovation

Our AI-driven connected worker platform stands out by providing frontline workers with unparalleled personalized, real-time assistance and insights – enhancing productivity, skills management, workforce development, and operational efficiency. Unlike other platforms, ours was purpose-built to leverage advanced AI to continuously learn and adapt to each worker’s unique needs, offering tailored support and proactive guidance.

Recently, we were named the market-leading solution in the connected frontline workforce application space by LNS Research, highlighting us as the industry’s Most Complete Product. Augmentir was also named 2023’s “Connected Worker Company of the Year” by Frost & Sullivan, as well as named a “Cool Vendor” for Manufacturing Operations by Gartner.

“We are honored to welcome Duracell to our Customer Advisory Board,” said Russ Fadel, CEO of Augmentir. “Their expertise and forward-thinking approach will provide invaluable insights, helping us to continue delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive operational efficiency and workforce productivity.”

Duracell’s participation on the board involves sharing industry best practices gained from their extensive experience in manufacturing and supply chain management. They will provide critical feedback on new features and enhancements, ensuring that our AI-powered platform meets the practical needs of the industrial workforce. Additionally, Duracell will collaborate with us and other board members to develop innovative strategies to address common challenges in the industrial sector, such as improving safety, increasing productivity, and reducing downtime.

This partnership underscores our shared dedication to empowering the workforce of the future by harnessing the power of advanced technologies. With the input of our customer advisory board, we aim to create more intuitive, effective, and user-friendly solutions that help companies optimize their operations and support frontline workers to achieve next-level performance. Together, we are confident that we can drive meaningful change and set new standards for excellence in the industrial world.

Interested in learning more?

If you’d like to learn more about how Augmentir and our AI-powered connected worker solution is transforming industrial frontline work, schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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Performance Management in Manufacturing: Best Practices and Examples

Learn about performance management in manufacturing, best practices and implementation methods, and key examples and use cases.

Manufacturing performance management is the process of setting, monitoring, and optimizing key performance indicators (KPIs) related to workforce performance and production processes in manufacturing environments. It includes real-time monitoring and evaluation of employees’ work, as well as the continuous improvement of operational workflows to ensure optimal efficiency, product quality, and adherence to both safety requirements and organizational goals.

performance management in manufacturing best practices

Through data-driven insights, performance management software, and regular assessments, performance management aims to enhance employee productivity and engagement, reduce downtime, and maintain a competitive edge in the industry. Read our blog post below to learn more about performance management in manufacturing including:

5 Best Practices for Performance Management in Manufacturing

To get the best value from your performance management system here are five best practices for performance management in manufacturing:

1. Clear Goal Alignment:

Organizations must ensure that performance management processes align with overall organizational goals. They must clearly communicate objectives to employees at all levels, linking individual and team performance metrics to broader manufacturing and business objectives. This fosters a sense of purpose in frontline teams, engages workers, and helps employees understand how their efforts contribute to the company’s success.

2. Real-time Monitoring and Data Analytics:

Implement real-time monitoring of production and shop floor processes and equipment performance through the use of AI and connected worker technology. Utilize data analytics and AI-driven processing to gain insights into worker performance trends, identify bottlenecks, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. The ability to monitor operations in real-time not only enables proactive interventions to maintain efficiency, it also ensures fairness, accuracy, and transparency in performance measurement.

Pro Tip

Truly optimized performance management is only possible when the work being done is connected to worker skills and competency training. The best way to do this is with AI-powered connected worker technology that uses AI to deliver insights on workforce development and act on data collected from connected frontline workers.

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3. Employee Training and Development Programs:

Prioritize ongoing training and development programs for manufacturing personnel. Equip frontline workers with the necessary skills to adapt to evolving technologies and operational requirements. Use performance management systems and other digital tools like skills matrixes to identify skill gaps, set training goals, and track progress, ensuring a skilled and adaptable workforce.

4. Regular Performance Reviews and Feedback:

Conduct regular performance reviews that provide constructive and timely feedback to employees. Use these reviews as opportunities to recognize achievements, address areas for improvement, and set new performance goals. Foster open communication between managers and employees to encourage continuous improvement.

5. Integration with Continuous Improvement Initiatives:

Integrate performance management systems with “kaizen” or continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean or Six Sigma. Use data from performance metrics to identify opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and efficiency improvements. This ensures that performance management is not only evaluative but actively contributes to the ongoing enhancement of manufacturing processes.

Leveraging these best practices contributes to a holistic performance management process that aligns manufacturing organizations and their frontline workforce with strategic goals, optimizes operations, and creates a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Performance Management Strategies for Manufacturing Leaders

The following are a few examples of performance management strategies that manufacturing leaders, plant managers, and shift supervisors should consider when implementing their performance management process.

Line-shift Goals

Manufacturers often use production planning and scheduling systems to manage line shifts effectively and ensure a smooth transition between different production configurations. While line shifts in manufacturing are often necessary for adapting to changing demands, introducing new products, or optimizing efficiency, they can also pose challenges, including downtime, quality control issues, employee fatigue, and planning issues. By establishing clear and measurable objectives for each line shift or individual worker that aligns with organizational goals, production leaders can ensure production goals are met.

Individual Meetings and Communication

Manufacturing leaders should implement a performance management strategy that incorporates 1-1 meetings and communication. Regularly providing constructive feedback to employees on their performance can improve performance and boost employee engagement. Offering coaching and development opportunities to enhance skills and capabilities.

Continuous Training

Continuous training in manufacturing involves enabling workers to learn new skills regularly. It’s a great way to improve employee performance and innovation, as well as engage and retain top talent. A good example of a continuous learning model is everboarding, a modern approach toward employee onboarding and training that shifts away from the traditional “one-and-done” onboarding model and recognizes learning as an ongoing process.

Performance Management Tools

Implementing performance management tools can help automate ongoing employee evaluation, as well as align employee performance with other key manufacturing KPIs, including production quality, machine uptime, and labor utilization. These tools can also be used to identify continuous improvement opportunities. This allows manufacturing leaders to adapt and refine approaches based on feedback and outcomes.

Simplifying Performance Management with Digital Tools

According to Forbes, as the future of work evolves and changes so must performance management, traditional methods may no longer be as successful in an era where the workforce is constantly changing.

Digital tools such as connected worker solutions and AI-driven analytics help simplify performance management systems by streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and providing more accurate insights. Implementing these connected worker solutions automates the collection of performance-related data from various sources including connected frontline workers, IoT devices, software systems, and more. This eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing errors and ensuring real-time access to up-to-date information.

By digitizing the performance management process, organizations create a centralized platform for storing and managing performance-related data. This centralized knowledge base makes it easy for managers and employees to access relevant information, track progress, and collaborate on performance goals. Furthermore, AI-driven connected worker solutions allow for digital performance tracking, customized training and skills development planning, workflow optimization, and improved predictive maintenance.

performance management best practices in manufacturing

Through these digital tools and technology, manufacturing companies can simplify performance management processes, improve operational efficiency, and adapt to the demands of a rapidly evolving industry while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and development for their manufacturing workforce.

Augmentir is the world’s leading connected worker solution, combining smart connected worker and AI technologies to drive continuous improvement and enhance performance management initiatives in manufacturing.

Augmentir is trusted by manufacturing leaders as a digital transformation partner improving training and development, workforce allocation, and operational excellence through our AI-driven True Productivity™ and True Performance™ offerings, as well as digitizing and optimizing complex workflows, skills tracking, and more through our patented smart, connected worker suite. Schedule a live demo today to learn more.

 

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Gartner Highlights Augmented Connected Workforce as a Top Trend for 2024

Gartner identifies Augmented Connected Workforce initiatives as a top manufacturing technology trend for 2024.

According to Gartner, an Augmented Connected Workforce is the intentional management, deployment, and customization of technology services and applications to support the workforce’s experience, well-being and ability to develop their own skills. It is a revolutionary approach that leverages smart connected worker platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and other innovative solutions to augment and support frontline workers and create a seamlessly connected and dynamic work environment.

gartner augmented connected workforce

Gartner predicts that through 2027, 50% of Fortune 500 manufacturers will create new positions through innovative engagement models enabled by Augmented Connected Worker strategies.

In manufacturing, specifically, the driving factor behind the rapid increase in Augmented Connected Workforce adoption is the need to accelerate and scale talent. There is a significant gap in the skills of the workforce today and consumer demands are rapidly increasing. Even the World Economic Forum recognizes the benefits an Augmented Connected Workforce brings to the workplace, stating that it:

  • enables workers to acquire new skills and knowledge
  • creates a more accessible and inclusive working environment
  • improves worker well-being and safety
  • increases the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial operations
  • supports human connection and collaboration
  • and more…

Given these benefits it is clear that enabling an Augmented Connected Workforce will be key for manufacturing success going forward.

Augmentir Recognized in 5 Gartner Hype Cycles for its Connected Workforce Solution

Augmentir empowers organizations to embrace an Augmented-Connected Workforce by providing a comprehensive platform that combines connected worker and AI technologies. Through Augmentir, companies can seamlessly connect frontline workers with digital tools and knowledge bases, enabling them to access real-time guidance, instructions, and support directly within their workflows. This integrated approach augments frontline workers enhancing their capabilities, productivity, and overall business processes. By leveraging Augmentir’s platform, organizations can enhance productivity, quality, and safety while fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation within their workforce.

Gartner recently highlighted Augmentir as a key software vendor providing functionalities and features that allow manufacturers to implement an Augmented Connected Workforce and empower frontline workers with AI-driven insights and real-time data for more productive, efficient, and safe frontline activities.

Augmentir was recognized in five separate Gartner Hype Cycle reports covering generative AI and emerging technologies in manufacturing.

augmentir recognized in gartner hype cycles

 

These five reports include:

  • Hype Cycle for Generative AI
  • Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies
  • Hype Cycle for User Experience
  • Hype Cycle for Frontline Worker Technologies
  • Hype Cycle for Workforce Transformation

These hype cycle reports and innovation profiles are provided by Gartner to help organizations decide which new innovations and technology to adopt, as well as what value they can provide to their manufacturing operations.

Enabling an Augmented Connected Workforce in Manufacturing

Manufacturing is uniquely situated as an industry to benefit from an Augmented Connected Workforce leveraging AI-powered connected worker solutions for process improvements, quality, management, enhanced training, and more.

As manufacturing workers become more interconnected, organizations gain access to a valuable source of data related to manufacturing activities, execution, and team dynamics. By utilizing emerging AI tools in conjunction with smart connected worker solutions, companies can derive insights that pinpoint areas with significant potential for improvement.

At Augmentir, we believe that a connected worker platform’s purpose goes beyond just delivering instructions and remote support; it should continually optimize the entire connected worker ecosystem. AI plays a crucial role in addressing overarching trends like skills variability and the loss of tribal knowledge within the workforce. It serves as the cornerstone for implementing data-driven improvements in operational performance and continuous enhancement.

For example, after Augmentir is deployed for a period of time, our AI engine will start identifying patterns in the data that will allow manufacturers to focus efforts on the areas that have the biggest customer satisfaction, productivity, and workforce development opportunities. This gives organizations the ability to answer questions like:

  • What areas should they invest in to improve operational performance?
  • Where are their biggest areas of opportunity to improve productivity or quality management?
  • Where do they have skills gaps and what kind of training do their frontline workers need?

Augmentir’s AI continuously updates its insights to enable companies to focus on their largest areas of opportunity, enabling you to deliver year-over-year improvements in key operational metrics.

Interested in learning more?

If you’d like to learn more about Augmentir and see how our AI-powered connected worker platform improves safety, quality, and productivity across your workforce, schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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