Why are so many people opting to buy Smartphones as opposed to “dumb” phones and frequently using web applications such as Twitter and Facebook? The answer is clear. These tools and applications make life easier. The answers to our questions and the opinions of those that we admire are right there with a few clicks or taps of the finger.
What has driven the popularity and increased usage of such tools is the simple user experience. As we have grown accustomed to the technology in our personal lives, that simple user experience has become expected in our professional lives as well. After all, isn’t that what we all want in a working environment- technology that is going to make our job easier?
Here’s more information about how going digital can make manufacturer’s jobs easier:
Expectations of the Manufacturing Workforce
The expectations of the younger manufacturing workforce that is starting to take over is much different than the expectations of the generations that came before. This applies to both the manufacturing technology itself and the communication methods that are used across the company. In order for a manufacturing company to remain competitive, the plant floor (and overall) processes must be updated in order to cater to this new generation that is starting to take over.
Data Will Drive Change
What’s partially driving this change in manufacturing is access to big data. Companies have access to more information than ever before. Of course, this information is only beneficial if it is being properly stored, accessed, and utilized in order to make important business decisions. Real time production data is allowing manufacturers to improve the process as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Information is at our fingertips at all times. Faster access to data in a manufacturing environment means less downtime. If there is ever an issue the source can be spotted quickly and the fix can be worked on instead of spending all of that time on troubleshooting. Using an old process or managing files, manuals, instructions, etc. the “old fashioned” way means that you are now far behind the curve.
According to this article in IndustryWeek:
Here’s what it boils down to: User experience matters. The ability to leverage technology, to make your company more competitive, to recruit top talent, to improve the efficiency of the plant—all of that circulates around user experience.
Develop a User-Friendly Experience
A user friendly, digital experience is what drives innovation and success. It’s what both employees and customers are looking for. If manufacturing software or an internal process isn’t user friendly and intuitive to employees or a manufacturing product isn’t user friendly and intuitive to customers, they are more likely to resist it.
In order to recruit the best employees and be competitive and retain the best customers, the digital culture must be embraced. The best employees and customers are not surprised by it, they expect it.
Contact Fishman Solutions for more information as to how to improve manufacturing by going digital.