Connected workforce platforms (CWP) have become a staple of Industry 4.0. Innovations like automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed factory operations from a technical standpoint, but connected technologies have taken Industry 4.0’s impact further with a distinct focus on worker empowerment.
Simply put, connected workforce software transforms how people work on the shop floor, using digital technologies to integrate them with the manufacturing environment. From digital changeover instructions to real-time machine health monitoring, this worker-centric technology has played a critical role in making frontline workers more productive and efficient.
Like Industry 4.0, connected workforce technology is continually evolving. With the advent of artificial intelligence, these platforms aren’t just becoming more technologically advanced — they’re also becoming more “human.” Here’s what to expect in the next era of the connected worker.
The integration of AI into shop floor processes and tasks is perhaps the most significant technological shift we’ve seen in modern manufacturing. This trend will only accelerate in the coming years as companies realize the value of AI in complementing human intelligence.
AI use cases like predictive maintenance, quality monitoring, and supply chain management are becoming more popular as manufacturers realize the value of intelligent technologies. Now, companies are expanding their AI investments to include solutions tailored to the specific needs of frontline workers. In fact, a recent study by Deloitte revealed that workers empowered with digital technology are 22 percent more productive on the job.
Designed to enhance frontline worker productivity and efficiency, connected workforce solutions are playing a critical role in bringing the benefits of AI to the shop floor. Not only are CWPs collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing more data than ever, but they’re also helping workers put those insights to use with AI-driven task guidance and natural language processing capabilities.
For example, we expect to see chatbot-like assistants incorporated into CWP interfaces. Instead of manually scanning through digital documents or tracking down colleagues to ask a question, workers can simply type a query into a chat window or receive proactive recommendations within the platform interface. Innovations like document and image analysis are also gaining traction across CWPs, making it quicker and easier for workers to digitize job-critical information.
As connected worker technology becomes more intelligent, AI functionalities — from embedded chatbots to automated report generation — will become foundational to the connected worker experience. Moreover, AI will make CWPs easier for workers to use by allowing them to interact with the platforms in a natural way.
Another major advancement we’ll see with connected worker technology in the next few years is deeper integration with business intelligence (BI) solutions. Integrating CWPs with an organization’s BI software, like Tableau or Power BI, offers a wide range of benefits for employees at every level of an industrial organization. Not only does BI integration unlock a more complete, cohesive view of manufacturing data, but it also gives frontline workers faster access to contextual data (e.g. historical data surrounding a mechanical failure).
Integrating CWPs and BI solutions helps manufacturers boost the value of their operational data, enabling better decision-making from the shop floor to the corporate office. For instance, production monitoring systems may reveal the proximate causes of production bottlenecks, such as insufficient materials. BI tools can take this analysis further by linking the material shortage to poor forecasting.
Used in conjunction, CWPs and BI software help manufacturers solve problems faster and more strategically.
Frontline workers only become “connected workers” when the digital tools they’re required to use are intuitive, efficient, and, when necessary, portable. That’s why CWP vendors are renewing their focus on mobility and user experience.
Over the next few years, we expect connected worker solutions to adapt to the way today’s manufacturing workers go about their jobs by incorporating:
Mobile-friendly tech: CWPs are becoming increasingly mobile-friendly, allowing workers to access the information they need — from SOPs to machine performance dashboards — via their phones and tablets, even remotely.
Digital work instructions: Digitizing work instructions gives workers quicker access to job-specific information and speeds up the training process for new employees. Furthermore, digital documents are easy to navigate and update as needed.
Video and AR guidance: We can also expect to see an uptick in video-based instructional content as well as the incorporation of augmented reality (AR) technology into on-the-job guidance.
Not only does a seamless user experience ensure workers use connected technologies effectively, but it also accelerates training and adoption of new CWP innovations.
L2L’s connected workforce platform is built for the shop floor challenges of today, next year, and beyond. Our platform combines AI capabilities, business intelligence, and automation intelligence to empower workers to do their jobs better. Moreover, we’re constantly innovating to keep you and your workforce ahead of manufacturing’s biggest challenges.
Our newest features help manufacturers across industries unlock the full value of their data:
L2L Assist (AI) expands L2L’s existing AI capabilities to include enhanced guidance for frontline workers. Now, users can find answers faster with the power of generative AI. An intuitive chat feature lets users ask questions, such as “What’s the best method for calibrating a belt scale?” and receive recommendations and suggested next steps.
Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities allow L2L users to export data into BI solutions for more thorough analysis. With the ability to combine operational data with broader enterprise data, users can access more targeted insights to boost shop floor performance.
Automation Engine helps L2L users liberate data siloed across legacy systems. This low-code solution uses intelligent algorithms to set parameters, monitor processes, and trigger condition-based workflows, helping workers make the right decisions at the right times.
Future-proofing your manufacturing business begins by empowering frontline workers with the tools and knowledge they need to perform their best. See how L2L can accelerate your workforce’s productivity when you schedule a personalized demo with one of our experts.