At its core, manufacturing is about innovation. Today we’re seeing the industry undergo a significant transformation driven by changing consumer demands, labor challenges, supply chain disruptions and technological advancements. We’ve come a long way since the industrial revolution, and the industry has evolved into a much more complex place. As a result, the industry is looking for ways to adapt to these challenges and create a more agile and empowered workforce that can thrive in a competitive and fast-paced environment. To support this transformation, a connected workforce is key, and 63% of frontline manufacturing workers are excited about the job opportunities that technology creates.
From the front office to the factory floor, technology solutions can improve operations by streamlining daily work, driving efficiency and productivity, as well as helping to foster an engaged workforce.
Empower workers to have a say in new technology initiatives
One key factor to empowering workers is giving them a say when it comes to new technology initiatives. The manufacturing workforce is highly skilled, so creating a culture of innovation and collaboration between employees and experts is important. According to a recent survey , 85% of respondents agree that people across all departments need to be involved in technology decisions—not just IT or senior leadership. While workers are eager for advanced technology, historically they have been underserved. 59% of employees feel that the tools they use to collaborate do not align with how their teams prefer to work.
Organizations need to ensure that they are providing the right technology—and the right training, on-the-job readiness, and upskilling—to bring that technology to life for workers. Organizations are best able to transform when their people are unified and working with shared values and ideas. They must start by bringing everyone on board with a company vision, including the impact of technology on the business and the role each worker plays in realizing that vision. The result? A culture of belonging and conditions for even greater productivity.
Accelerate innovation by enabling workers with collaborative apps and low-code tools
The fast-paced, industrial, and sometimes hazardous environments in manufacturing make immediate and clear communication critical to well-being, and efficiency. As workers throughout the industry feel the pressure of shortages, supply scarcity, and high demand, having quick, clear, and easy channels of communication are more valuable than ever. A crucial component of a connected workforce is the use of collaborative apps. For workers these tools can result in improved productivity, and less misinformation, leading to better outcomes for both the company and its customers. Employees expect their technology tools to be both collaborative and intelligent.
77% of employees wish that they had more access to low code/no code tools or platforms to build digital solutions that help them achieve their goals. By equipping anyone in the organization with low-code tools, workers are empowered to solve their own technical challenges—driving autonomy and, ultimately, faster innovation. This approach can also help to break down silos within the organization and promote cross-functional collaboration.
Help people feel more fulfilled and engaged by providing AI-based tools that support their tasks
AI is revolutionizing how workers question and interact with their data. We’re seeing new solutions that allow users to get intelligent insights and analytics about the data in their manufacturing apps through a conversational chat experience. For example, Siemens is using generative AI to help industrial companies drive innovation and efficiency across the design, engineering, manufacturing and operational lifecycle of products. AI-based translation embedded into these chat experiences makes them accessible to frontline workers in factories around the globe. By making information easily accessible, employees can learn more about their equipment, quickly identify problems, and investigate possible solutions in real-time.
These queries provide manufacturers and their workers with real-time insight into day-to-day operations and allow users to compile analytics for critical tasks. Focusing on higher-value work that is more challenging and rewarding, can lead to workers having more satisfaction and better retention. By investing in these technologies, manufacturers can stay ahead of the competition and create more resilient and agile organizations.