"Hannes is working from home today." - a phrase that does not and cannot exist in the production environment. While new forms of collaboration have become established in the office environment, especially in times of coronavirus, production remains an on-site job.
However, this does not exclude certain standards of networked working or connected work. Four aspects fit perfectly in your production hall:
In the production environment, Connected Work is establishing itself not primarily as a principle of action, but as a person - in the form of the Connected Worker.
Automation, digitalization, AI: none of this will drive the worker away from the heart of production. Instead, the connected worker will become an indispensable link. Technology enables them to break down function-specific silos and network optimally with their working environment.
Thanks to technologies such as augmented reality or the Industrial Internet of Things, the connected worker integrates seamlessly into digitalized company processes. Smart devices enable time-independent access to all relevant information and open up direct feedback opportunities.
But already established technologies such as the computer at the workplace are also becoming powerful interactive tools for the connected worker in the course of digitalization.
In the digitalized production of the future, the connected worker is perfectly networked in terms of organization, processes and technology.
Five types of networking can be distinguished:
That sounds a bit like a working paradise on earth, but it's not quite so easy for a worker to become a connected worker. The classic hurdles and challenges of digitalization often stand in the way, which you first have to overcome. These include
If Connected Work is the discipline and the Connected Worker is the actor, then the Connected Worker Platform is the technological foundation. It should primarily do what ERP, MES and the like do not: it takes the final step towards the worker.
It is important to understand that this is a collaborative platform, not an integration platform like those found in IoT platforms such as ThingWorx, AWS IoT or Cumulocity. A good Connected Worker Platform therefore offers everything the worker needs for connected working.
A connected worker platform fully integrates people into digitalized production and increases their efficiency. It achieves this by providing them with the right information about their work order at the right time and in the right place. At the same time, the connected worker has the opportunity to document their own expertise and thus optimize processes. Continuous improvement processes (CIP) can thus be implemented and promoted.
The worker is continuously networked with colleagues, their tasks, the process, all necessary information and the product to be manufactured. This increases process reliability, work quality and productivity.
To put it simply, we can imagine a Connected Worker Platform as a large software suite that combines numerous functions or makes them available through a simple connection.
A good Connected Worker Platform works seamlessly with its OT and communicates with ERP, MES and connected assets. It provides the tools for daily work in the form of digital work instructions and checklists as well as all the associated information. It opens up simple communication channels via chat or feedback function and provides notifications for maintenance or malfunctions.
Management functions can also be part of the repertoire of a connected worker platform. These include, for example, store floor management, knowledge management and document libraries, issue management and training and skills management.
Areas: Assembly, commissioning, maintenance and servicing
Task: Employee management through production processes is to a certain extent the core task of the Connected Worker Platform. It provides the necessary work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for this.
Areas: Quality assurance, maintenance
Task: If a platform can make data available, guide employees and record feedback, then the same functionality can easily be used for audits, incident management or the implementation of preventive measures. Collected data can be analyzed for reporting and verification purposes.
Areas: Onboarding
Task: During work, the Connected Worker's process knowledge is saved either automatically or through feedback functions. This knowledge can be used to train new employees or to make knowledge available on-demand.
Areas: Maintenance, assembly
Tasks: The communication tools of a Connected Worker Platform enable direct collaboration between workers across departments or locations. With advanced technologies such as AR, even remote services can be implemented.
Areas: general company processes, production-related processes, audits
Tasks: The Connected Worker Platform creates the basis for incorporating empirical knowledge directly into the process. Prompt feedback enables prompt process optimization. The result is a constant transfer of knowledge. The platform also creates transparency regarding the implementation of optimization measures.
Let's ignore the buzzword "connected worker" for a moment and look at the concrete benefits that such a platform brings. It enables you to address many of the challenges of digitalization that you have already read about earlier in this article:
Increasing efficiency & productivity
Utilize savings potential
Secure & pass on knowledge
Increase the attractiveness of work
Now that you have taken a closer look at the functions, use cases and benefits of a Connected Worker Platform, is there anything that strikes you? There is another established concept on the market for industrial solutions that is very similar: worker assistance systems. Do you get a Connected Worker Platform when you introduce a worker assistance system? Let's say: No. Or: It depends.
In principle, a worker assistance system connects people with the process, product and their own tasks in exactly the same way as a connected worker platform. A worker assistance system provides digital work instructions and checklists, makes product and process-relevant information available digitally and enables tasks to be completed independently thanks to targeted guidance through the process.
The crux of the matter, however, is flexibility. Is the worker assistance system flexible enough for a wide variety of scenarios? Does it have open interfaces to connect systems and assets? Does it have communication tools or options for integrating them? If so, then the worker assistance system can certainly be equated with a connected worker platform.
For the new solution to be a success in your company, the framework conditions must be right. Internal processes often no longer fit and need to be optimized or adapted to the Connected Worker concept. It is also important that networking and digitalization are exemplified by management. The motto is to educate, explain and instruct.
Another important aspect is training employees in the new tool with the aim of not only providing them with new software, but also creating the right mindset among them. In concrete terms, this means getting your employees excited about new tools and new tasks. Create a willingness to learn new things and develop digital skills.
A hardware investment is often added to the software introduction. Empower your employees with the appropriate end devices to perform their (new) tasks as connected workers.
Last but not least: be aware of the challenges from the outset. Networking your employees on the store floor can entail implementation and software maintenance costs. Training also costs time and money. And, of course, networking requires the availability of a corresponding network on the store floor. These are all points that must play a significant role when considering your ROI.
A connected worker platform is not a panacea and may well be the wrong solution. You should therefore find out in advance whether such a platform will really deliver the desired benefits and work towards your goal in four steps.
Step 1: Inform yourself
It is very important to be clear about your goals. Define them in advance and research possible solutions and providers. Is a Connected Worker Platform still an option? Then continue with ...
Step 2: Get to know each other
Talk to various solution providers and ask them to present their products in detail. Ask specific questions relating to your goals.
Step 3: Try it out
Many providers make test environments available. Take advantage of this offer and try out the solutions - always with the final stakeholders, i.e. the employees who are to work with them and can adequately evaluate the functions.
Step 4: Benefit
If a solution meets your requirements, then nothing stands in the way of its introduction in your company.
* according to Gartner