In the previous article Operational Transparency Part 1: Transform OEE And Move Past Paper we discussed how paper based systems prevented manufacturers from capturing and communicating crucial machine data during machine monitoring and service tasks. We looked at how paper based processes reduced the availability of workers, the quality of service tasks and the ability to perform root cause analysis. We saw how this negatively impacted OEE.

In our second article on Operational Transparency we are going to look at how Front Line or Connected Worker Platforms offer manufacturing company's end-to-end support on their journey towards true transparency and increased productivity to increase availability, performance and quality.

Transparency Solution: The Rise of Connected Worker Platforms

With 5G workplace connectivity is within reach for manufacturing companies large and small. Low code/no code Connected Worker Platforms make it far easier to implement and prevent this from being another digital transformation project that didn’t get over the goal line. The growing scarcity of skilled workers due to retirement makes digitization more important than it’s ever been.  But will it truly make a difference in your company’s OEE?

How Connected or Front Line Worker Platforms Affect OEE

Here are some of the many ways that Front Line Worker Platforms increase knowledge support, capture crucial data and communicate it where it's needed most:

1. Improved training by providing on-demand access to searchable visual work instructions compiled by your experts that can include diagrams, videos, webpages, and much, much more, far exceeding the quality of instruction found in a three-ring binder. This speeds up training and upskilling, allowing new hires to work unsupervised after a much shorter time period. It also gives front line workers the knowledge support  and actionable information they need to become problem solvers.  

‍2. The Front Line Worker or Connected Worker Platform captures slow times and delays in real-time during changeovers to find inefficiencies and help eliminate them to create  better performance for the machines. This allows management to accurately track performance by production line and on a company-wide level and iterate to improve.

3. Increased communication between teams through chat functions allows for quicker problem resolution and makes sure front line workers are aware of problem situations as they develop and can report deviations as they appear.

4. Higher quality, standardized job completion of machine monitoring and service tasks. Job completion involves digital workflows that require photographic evidence of completion of each step so the job is done right the first time no matter the experience of the worker and high-quality job completion data is created for later analysis.

5. When a job is completed a report is automatically generated. This increases the availability of the machine by making actionable, real-time machine data available to management to order preventive maintenance before systems fail. Jobs can now be done step by step or in non sequential order.

6. Improves quantity of quality good parts made by keeping production up and running. Defects and reworked products can be tracked through improved digital  quality processes.

7. Data Analysis allows for the allocation of workers where they will have the most benefit in improving OEE

‍8. Issues that come up that can’t be solved through intuitive workflows or self-assistance can be escalated to experts across the globe for solutions using AR Powered Remote Assistance. This radically reduces resolution time for unplanned and planned downtime by providing expertise where you need it. Due to the knowledge support provided at every stage of job execution, these experts are only called in when they are truly needed.

9. Front Line Worker platforms free up massive amounts of effective work time (15 to 30 minutes per work order) by eliminating redundant paperwork. When a job is completed a report is instantly generated. This increases the availability of workers to perform maintenance tasks on your machines.

Conclusion

We've just scratched the surface of what Connected or Front Line Worker platforms can offer your business. When we are talking about the relationship between operational transparency and OEE one point becomes clear.

The more you know about the true situation on your front line, the more you can do to change it for the better. The better the data, the more likely you are to hit the bullseye solution. The better you communicate that solution within your organization the more likely that solution is to be quickly implemented. So why are so many businesses letting this valuable data slip through their fingers?

The better the system you create based on that data the better work your company will be able to perform. There’s no reason to be powering a modern business by candlelight or to record your service tasks with pencil and paper. These static systems aren’t meant for a rapidly changing world. Front Line Worker Platforms offer a dynamic solution wired for continuous improvement and world-class OEE.

As we mentioned earlier, most organizations don’t realize how inefficient their production process truly is. Given operational transparency, companies can achieve astonishing transformation and eliminate waste from the production line and improve productivity. It’s time to see what your organization is truly capable of.