Dear Augmentir Customers and Friends – a note on Augmentir funding and Ai expansion, This week we announced that we closed an oversubscribed funding round that will support the Augmentir mission to transform the frontline workforce with our AI-based Augmented Worker Platform. This round was led by leading venture capital firm Pritzker Group Venture Capital, […]
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Dear Augmentir Customers and Friends – a note on Augmentir funding and Ai expansion, This week we announced that we closed an oversubscribed funding round that will support the Augmentir mission to transform the frontline workforce with our AI-based Augmented Worker Platform. This round was led by leading venture capital firm Pritzker Group Venture Capital, with participation from Lerer Hippeau, our current investors, and HOLT Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of HOLT CAT. Not only does the successful closing of this funding round further validate Augmentir and our unique approach of using AI and AR to support frontline workers, but it also enables us to expand our global footprint, further increase the functionality of the platform, and make it even more accessible to companies across the small, mid-sized and large spectrum. Together with our investors and partners, we look forward to reaching even more companies, more workers, and more innovators, while defining the future of work. With a unique and proven track record that includes founding efforts at Wonderware, Lighthammer, and ThingWorx, our executive team has the unparalleled domain expertise to deliver the next software innovation that will revolutionize the manufacturing and industrial market and shape the frontline workforce of the future. We are excited to continue this journey with you, to support your frontline workforce with augmented procedures and help your organization drive continuous improvement through AI-driven insights. Thank you! Sincerely,
Russ Fadel, CEO, Augmentir
Augmentir is the world’s only Smart Connected Worker Suite. Augmentir is being used by manufacturing and service companies to empower their frontline workers to perform at their best and deliver improvements in safety, quality, and productivity consistently, year-over-year. Augmentir offers customized AI-powered connected worker solutions that transform how you write and create manufacturing standard operating procedures. Request a live demo today to learn more about why leading manufacturers are choosing our solutions to improve their manufacturing processes.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Campaign-Visual_Funding_Option-A1.jpg6121024Russ Fadelhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngRuss Fadel2019-07-18 17:01:262025-11-27 02:14:48A Letter From the CEO: Augmentir Closes Funding Round to Accelerate AI Expansion
The impact of COVID-19 has placed pressure on manufacturing operations leaders to maintain business operations and business continuity. Here are four ways that connected worker technology is shaping the future industrial workforce.
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The global pandemic has changed frontline work and given workers a new type of normal – and for many manufacturers, the change will be permanent.
The impact of COVID-19, and subsequent changes in how factories are located, staffed, managed and digitized, as well as how customers are supported is placing pressure on manufacturing operations leaders. According to McKinsey & Co., manufacturing companies of every size are now turning to digital and connected worker technology as a way to maintain business operations and business continuity. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) based remote collaboration are now central to the corporate innovation portfolio of any business leader and crucial to boosting productivity at a time when enterprises most need it.
Here are four ways that connected worker technology is shaping the future industrial workforce and helping frontline workers operate at peak levels of safety, quality, and productivity during these times.
1. Provide Remote Assistance
Travel limitations and restrictions have forced companies to re-think how they support their staff and customers. As a result of COVID-19, manufacturers have initiated policies that encourage remote working, eliminate non-essential travel and instruct employees who are sick or under quarantine to stay home. This directly impacts the progression of operations that typically take place when multiple workers collaborate onsite.
With on-demand remote expert functionality, onsite workers can quickly pull in an offsite colleague when their expertise is required. Many manufacturers are also extending this out to support virtual collaboration with 3rd party dealers and suppliers, customers, and even field service teams for those companies that provide equipment service and support. Digital work procedures, videos, realtime data and more are readily available and allow remote subject matter experts to intelligently guide and help workers on the job.
2. Reimagine Training
One of the challenges that has emerged during this pandemic has been workforce variability. Flexible staffing is becoming more the norm, and training/re-skilling is more important now than ever.
Traditional methods of classroom training have now become impractical if not impossible, and many companies are looking towards connected worker technology to help shorten training times and accelerate onboarding for new technicians. Use augmented reality (AR), visual aids, and contextual information to guide workers through complex tasks and deliver AR-based training experiences.
For example, Bio-Chem Fluidics, a mid-sized manufacturing company, was able to reduce new employee training time by over 80% – from three months down to two weeks. The use of visual aids and short training videos within digitized work procedures allowed their operation to onboard technicians at a faster rate and reduce downtime during learning periods, resulting in improved productivity.
3. Improve Quality and Productivity through Augmented Work Instructions
Another area where connected worker technology helps is through augmented work instructions. Equipped with digital devices that could include tablets, mobile phones, or even AR-enabled industrial smart glasses, frontline workers are able to receive fully augmented, guided instructions on any device to improve productivity, quality and allow workers to perform their jobs more independently. These help guide workers with visual aids, AR/MR experiences, and contextual information.
Digital work instructions enable manufacturing workers, customers, dealers, and field service technicians to complete assembly, installation, maintenance, or repair procedures at 100% quality without requiring face-to-face support. Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) can be used to amplify the value that digital work instructions bring to the connected worker. AI is used to personalize the instructions to each worker’s proficiency level, which helps intelligently close the skills gap and enable workers to perform at their best.
4. Uncover Continuous Improvement Opportunities
It’s critical for manufacturers to monitor processes and track progress during this time so that they can make quick adjustments to ensure overall optimization. Our view at Augmentir is that the purpose of a connected worker platform isn’t simply to deliver instructions and remote support to a frontline worker, but rather to optimize the performance of the connected worker ecosystem.
Incorporating AI into a connected worker strategy enables true organizational optimization using the rich stream of activity data to recommend improvement actions to frontline workers, continuous improvement specialists, trainers, manufacturing engineers, and operation and service managers.
AI-based connected worker platforms can use granular data to identify the largest opportunities across the frontline workforce
For example, Augmentir’s AI-powered connected worker platform looks through all job data and uses AI to cleanse the data set and recognize the largest improvement opportunities for your company in productivity, training, quality, and delivers them to your team automatically through insights in the system
In doing that, the system learns a lot about each worker, and can dynamically match the instructions to each worker’s proficiency and capability, intelligently closing the skills gap
Finally, AI bots allow you to accumulate tribal knowledge (that your subject matter experts know) and convert it into a scalable, digital corporate asset
With an ecosystem of content authors, frontline workers, subject matter experts, operations managers, continuous improvement engineers, and quality specialists, there are dozens of opportunities to improve performance.
Now is the time to consider these and start digitizing and connecting your frontline workforce. These technologies are proving to be practical and effective ways to close skill gaps and transform training efforts – allowing your frontline workers to work safely and efficiently in today’s new normal. Book a personalized demo to learn more.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/four-ways-connected-worker-technology-helps-thumbnail.jpg5121024Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2021-03-03 19:27:562025-11-27 02:14:32Four Ways Connected Worker Technology is Helping Frontline Workers Operate in Today's New Normal
Augmentir CEO Russ Fadel and Bio-Chem Operations Manager Conor Puckett recently sat down to discuss how technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence and Connected Worker technology, are transforming lean manufacturing.
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Augmentir CEO Russ Fadel and Bio-Chem Operations Manager Conor Puckett recently sat down to discuss how technology, specifically AI and Connected Worker technology, are transforming lean manufacturing, driving continuous improvement and optimizing overall worker effectiveness in the manufacturing sector.
For quite some time, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) has been used in lean manufacturing to evaluate the effectiveness of factory equipment, yet still, many manufacturers ignore the human aspect of a lean strategy. Unfortunately, this leaves manufacturers with a missed opportunity. According to Deloitte, while measuring worker productivity and labor efficiency is not a new concept, the rise of digital technology is making it easier and more practical for the manufacturing workforce to connect with the support tools as well as the real-time data and insights needed to propel them to do their best work.
In this webinar, Conor shares how Bio-Chem is driving their lean initiatives forward using technology and data to gain insight into how their workforce is performing, why that is important to them as a business and how they are using that information to drive continuous improvement efforts across their operations.
Russ provides his insights into how AI is really becoming transformational in terms of understanding the manufacturing workforce, optimizing their performance, and being used to gain insight into improving performance, quality, and productivity.
Learn how to extend the principles of OEE to the manufacturing workforce
Discover proven approaches that leverage AI and connected worker technology to digitize manufacturing processes and uncover continuous improvement opportunities for improved worker efficiency and effectiveness
Uncover best practices for optimizing worker performance and enhancing workforce development program
Hear how Bio-Chem Fluidics uses AI and digital worker tools to improve quality and productivity within their lean manufacturing operations
About Augmentir
Augmentir is the world’s only Smart Connected Worker Suite. Augmentir is being used by manufacturing and service companies to empower their frontline workers to perform at their best and deliver improvements in safety, quality, and productivity consistently, year-over-year. Refining manufacturing methods can be difficult without the right technology. Augmentir’s AI-based connected worker solution makes streamlining and optimizing your production and quality procedures easier than ever before.
Schedule a live demo to learn why manufacturing leaders are choosing us to improve worker efficiency, enhance frontline productivity, apply real-time insights, and more.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/augmentir-lean-manufacturing-webinar.jpg00Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2021-05-17 13:23:532025-11-26 21:00:57How AI is Transforming Lean Manufacturing
According to JFF, these “Innovators to Watch” are a select group of visionary enterprises that are at the leading edge of market trends and they distinguish themselves from other forward-looking companies by their potential to create significant, business-aligned social impact. These companies offer a potentially transformative innovation and are led by inspiring founders and teams that we believe in.
In the report, JFFLabs takes closer look at the evolving alternative education and training market, with a focus on solutions that have a “measurable impact on workers’ wage and employment prospects.” The program providers and platforms selected help employers develop, train, and retain workers and make up “an ecosystem of opportunity that workers can turn to throughout their careers as they navigate new pathways in an ever-evolving economy.”
According to the report, “Augmentir stands out because it develops solutions with frontline workers and industrial settings in mind. At a time of heightened concern about automation eliminating industrial jobs, Augmentir presents employers with an opportunity to use technology to help workers develop the skills they need to adapt to changes.
The company frames its work around the key idea of skills variability rather than skills gaps, using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology to holistically understand every worker’s competencies and offering employers tools that help workers acquire new or more advanced skills.
Augmentir’s products give every worker direct access to knowledge and information in user-friendly digital formats. The company’s tools embed training into workers’ day-to-day routines, and employers can use the platform to continually update training content to support workers’ evolving learning needs. And Augmentir’s approach of collectively sourcing knowledge from individuals in the workforce makes learning a social experience and increases learner engagement by giving workers agency to shape training content.”
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/augmentir-innovator-to-watch-jff-marketscan-socialv4.jpg00Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2021-06-16 18:38:002025-11-26 21:00:48Augmentir Selected as "Innovators to Watch" by JFF
AI-powered technology may be the missing puzzle piece for today’s workforce crisis.
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AI-powered technology may be the missing puzzle piece for today’s workforce crisis in manufacturing.
Is it just us or does recruiting, training, and retaining top talent today feel a lot like searching for that one elusive puzzle piece? The seismic shift in the workforce is forcing us to get creative and be adaptable like never before. It’s a new generation and if we want to be competitive in hiring in this ultra-competitive environment, we need to re-access how we train, develop, and retain talent, embrace the variable nature of the labor market, and meet workers where they are.
We can no longer try to force-fit the old model of staffing and training into a space that looks drastically different. It’s not just about a labor shortage or the supply chain challenges created by the pandemic. Workers themselves are changing. What they want from work, and how they want to work.
The solution to this head-scratching puzzle? AI-based technology. Digital work instructions and individualized training and on-the-job training (OJT) can improve productivity, reliability, independence, and safety for every worker. It offers flexibility in scheduling for operations managers. It reduces downtime. All of which contribute to a more efficient – and profitable – operation.
Sound too good to be true? Brace yourselves. It’s not. Here are three ways that AI-powered technology can help.
1. Moving onboarding and training closer to the point of work
Imagine if we could train and develop someone in the context of doing their work, leading to increased engagement and allowing organizations to retain top talent. Furthermore, we could see an increase in productivity as they constantly evolve their learnings.
AI is allowing companies to understand a worker’s skillset and provides the ability for personalized digital work instructions to guide them in the context of work while they are doing their job, whether it’s a new worker or one with dozens of years of experience. With an AI-based onboarding approach, organizations are able to hire a wider range of individuals with varying skill sets and get those individuals productive faster.
2. Give support at the moment of need
Are you a people watcher? We are. Ever take notice of who is on the factory floor? Last time I checked, we got the “newbies” and “veterans”. The variability of the workforce, both skilled and young, proves that there’s not a one size fits all approach to troubleshooting and performance support.
Enter AI.
Give workers the support and guidance they need, at the moment of need, whether it’s immediate access to a digital troubleshooting guide, or connecting virtually with a subject matter expert. Delivering personalized work procedures for every worker allows for continuous learning and growth.
3. Improve engagement and retention
Workers that are connected and empowered with digital technology can discover and nurture diverse skills based on their unique competencies and experience. They can earn greater responsibility and independence. This increases confidence and job satisfaction. Which in turn can improve employee retention and slow the revolving door of continual recruiting and training.
The aftermath?
Workers are likely to stay and want to grow in the company when they feel included. Shortly, workers begin walking with poise and a “can-do” attitude to their next job task.
What else is possible with AI-powered connected worker technology?
AI-based technology is ideal for training workers in this variable environment. AI-based systems individualize information about workers based on previous training and data-driven performance insights and augments their capabilities. It offers step-by-step guidance at the moment of need for regularly scheduled maintenance as well as troubleshooting. It helps managers learn about workers’ existing skills and build a rationale for specific roles, resources, and certification support and then make clear recommendations based on demands.
Technology should fit into your business as simply as sliding that last puzzle piece into place. Workers are the heart of your business, and you should adapt technology to fit your business, not the other way around.
Technology should fit into your business as simply as sliding that last puzzle piece into place. That includes how you train your workers. But no two workers are exactly alike. Each will learn and approach problems differently. So why not use the technology that recognizes and adapts to those differences to your advantage?
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/3-ways-manufacturers-train-retain-develop-talent.jpg6301200Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2022-05-05 13:50:482025-11-25 12:37:273 Ways Manufacturers are Using Technology to Train, Develop, and Retain Talent
Learn how to track employee skills in manufacturing and discover modern approaches to effective skills tracking.
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In today’s manufacturing environment, it is daunting and time-consuming to keep track of employee skill levels across the many different job tasks. With the constantly accelerating rate of turnover in the workforce, Excel or paper-based skills tracking in manufacturing has become obsolete.
Leading manufacturers are now turning to smart digital technology to streamline skills tracking and connect it with frontline operations, giving them a competitive edge and boosting workplace safety productivity. Skills tracking software can be a great help to identify workers’ current skills and find any gaps. In a nutshell, such a tool helps automate, organize and simplify the process of evaluating employees’ skills and better understanding your workforce.
Learn more about how skills tracking is changing and the importance of integrating skills management into the flow of work by exploring the following topics:
Five approaches to effective skills tracking in manufacturing
According to a recent survey by McKinsey & Company, companies reported that tracking and validating skills and competencies was their top talent challenge.
Effective skills tracking can improve safety, productivity, and worker performance by helping match the right people with the right tasks. For any organization, there are multiple methods and tools that can be used to track the skills of your workforce:
1. Direct assessment
This approach focuses on one employee directly assessing another. This may be done as a form of peer review between employees or by a manager.
2. Self-assessment
This approach consists of employees conducting self-assessments of their skills and qualifications through surveys every few months.
3. Anonymous peer assessment
This approach involves coworkers anonymously assessing each other’s performance on projects or other tasks.
4. Skill assessment using HR or learning systems
This type of assessment can be done using an HR system (or a Learning Management System) to assess and update employee profiles based on training completed. For example, workers can report any courses finished, track their training data or report new certificates.
5. AI-based skills tracking software
Any of the above 4 methods are commonly used, however, the increasing workforce variability, absenteeism, and turnover is forcing new requirements. Increasingly, manufacturers are turning to AI-based software solutions to help digitally track and manage skills, and connect them with work execution.
HR/Learning systems or standalone skills tracking software solutions that attempt to automate skills tracking fall short of meeting the needs of today’s manufacturers because they do not connect the “skills that workers know” with the “work being done”. These standalone solutions may have been ideal for the stable, unchanging workforce of the past, but they are not suited for today’s era of high workforce variability.
An integrated, closed-loop skills management system is the solution for this era of high workforce turnover and absenteeism. Skills management solutions that combine skills tracking capabilities with AI-based connected worker technology and on-the-job training can deliver significant additional value. Data from actual work performance can inform workforce development investments allowing you to target you training, reskilling, and upskilling efforts where they have the largest impact.
Benefits of skills tracking in manufacturing
Tracking skills in manufacturing can help identify the skills your employees already hold and those they still need to learn to properly do their jobs. Furthermore, using AI-based connected worker solutions, organizations can digitize and easily manage skills tracking and training programs and connect them with frontline operations.
Some benefits of tracking your employees’ skills using this approach include:
1. Boosts productivity on the shop floor
An organization’s commitment to cultivating its team’s skills can influence their attitudes toward the job. A worker is likelier to perform better when valued and appreciated. Skills tracking also ensures that workers are qualified to perform their job.
2. Ensure safety
Solutions that close the loop between training/skills and the work being done allow organizations to validate at the time of work assignment who has the skill level to safely perform a specific task. This helps to mitigate risk and ensure safety.
3. Intelligently assigning work
Ensure the right person is assigned to the right job. Manage work assignments based on skill level, endorsements, and actual job performance.
4. Closes the skills gap
Tracking skills is a great way to identify gaps between the skills employees already have and the skills they need. With this information, the company can arrange for additional training or other ways to invest in their employees. Keep in mind that as your manufacturing organization evolves and grows, so should your employee skillset.
5. Boosts internal communications
Employers who actively develop their employees’ skill levels are likelier to retain them. Tracking skills can also motivate and spur connections with team members.
6. Identify upskilling or reskilling opportunities
Use data from actual work performance, combined with an employee’s current skills and endorsements to inform your reskilling and upskilling decisions.
7. Enhances competitive edge
Although the purpose of effective skills tracking is to aid in worker growth and development, a byproduct is a stronger, more competitive organization as a whole. Knowing where improvements need to be made can close any learning gaps and boost the overall success of a company. Optimizing your workforce can help improve productivity in every department, giving your company a competitive edge in today’s market.
Features to look for in skills tracking software
Having the right features for skills tracking in manufacturing can help a company be more productive and efficient. This type of software should help manufacturing facilities no only identify, assess, track and cultivate employee skills, but also improve operational safety and performance.
It’s important to look for the following features when deciding which software is right for you:
Training management This feature helps businesses see how their teams are progressing and evaluate whether training opportunities are making an impact. It helps store employee training records for real-time access and evaluation, and measure training effectiveness based on actual job performance.
Certifications management This feature helps employers manage employee certifications. If a worker’s certification is expiring, the software’s tracking functions should easily notify the parties involved.
Skills tracking integrated into the flow of work Skill levels and current endorsements ensure that workers can perform tasks safely and correctly and, therefore need to be considered at the moment of work assignment and again at the moment of work execution.
Live dashboard Skills tracking software with customizable dashboards offer a real-time view of employee skills, qualifications, and any skill gaps that may exist. Managers will have a better idea of where to allocate resources to train employees and who is a better fit for a role.
Learn how Smart Skills Management software is helping manufacturers bridge the gap between training, skills, and work to build a more resilient and agile workforce.
Download our latest eBook – The Future of Work: Connecting Skills Management with Standard Work.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/how-to-track-employee-skills-manufacturing.png6301200Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2022-12-06 17:26:122025-11-25 12:36:06How to Track Employee Skills in the Manufacturing Industry
Recap of Chris Kuntz’s session at MD&M East 2025 on how AI copilots and AI agents are transforming manufacturing—from enhancing workforce capabilities to enabling autonomous operations.
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At this year’s MD&M East, formerly IME East 2025, Augmentir took center stage as Chris Kuntz, VP of Strategic Operations, delivered a powerful presentation on the transformative role of AI Copilots and AI Agents in manufacturing.
Read below for a brief recap of the presentation, as well as a video recording of the presentation.
Addressing the Workforce Crisis with AI
Chris opened with a sobering reality: even if every skilled worker in the U.S. were employed, 35% more manufacturing jobs would remain unfilled. Citing a $1 trillion annual opportunity cost by 2030 (Deloitte), Chris emphasized that traditional workforce strategies aren’t enough—and the time for intelligent automation and workforce augmentation is now.
Key Highlights from the Presentation
The Rise of AI Copilots and AI Agents
Chris introduced AI Copilots as conversational tools powered by LLMs, providing contextual, real-time support to workers. AI Agents, on the other hand, are autonomous systems that execute complex tasks independently—reducing friction, downtime, and manual inefficiencies.
Skills & Training AI Agent – On-demand learning and certification
Operations Agent – Real-time troubleshooting support
Corporate Knowledge Graphs – Smarter access to institutional knowledge
Case studies from leading packaging and beverage companies added real-world credibility, demonstrating how organizations are scaling faster while minimizing downtime and safety incidents.
Video Recording
Full Transcript
My name is Chris Kuntz. I’m with an AI company called Augmentir, and we provide connected worker software for frontline workers in manufacturing. Today what I’ll be talking about is artificial intelligence, which in many ways has taken over the media, and become a major part of our lives, but I want to talk about it in the context of manufacturing and specifically talk about generative AI assistants and AI agents that can be used in manufacturing to help guide and support today’s frontline workers.
So just a quick 30 seconds on Augmentir and who we are as a company. We’re a relatively young company, founded in 2018, but we have a pretty deep history in innovative software and manufacturing, dating back to the late 1980s. The founders of Augmentir were the same industry innovators that founded Wonderware in 1987, which revolutionized HMI software in factories. Wonderware went public and is now part of AVEVA/Schneider Electric. We were the founders of Lighthammer, which is now part of SAP’s MII offering. And we were the founders of ThingWorx, which is now part of PTC and revolutionized the Industrial Internet of Things space. And when we left PTC, the team got back together again and we wanted to focus on tackling what we considered to be the next big problem in manufacturing at the time, which was the human worker.
If you think about AI and how it’s been, automation and how AI has optimized production lines, really the last mile for driving efficiency in manufacturing is the human worker. And even more apparent over the past five years since the pandemic, the labor shortage, the skilled labor shortage has created dramatic impacts on product quality, product efficiency, and overall throughput in manufacturing. And so our goal at Augmentir was to tackle that.
So let’s start this conversation by talking about AI and the history of AI in manufacturing. And it dates back to the 1960s. AI has been used in automation in manufacturing for decades now. It’s been used to drive incredible levels of efficiency. It’s been used in machine vision systems for quality improvements. And you see that you, when you walk around, manufacturing trade shows like this, it’s been used in warehouse in warehousing automation, and more recently, it’s been used in the industrial internet of things, digitally connecting equipment and using AI to analyze the data that is coming off of that equipment to drive greater efficiencies in production, production efficiency in manufacturing. But a common theme across all of this is up to this point, AI has been used to replace the human worker or to optimize manual labor or manual efforts that humans were doing in factories, previously. AI has a unique opportunity, specifically around generative AI co-pilots, if you think ChatGPT or AI agents, is to augment the human worker, not replace them.
And so the question we asked ourselves at Augmentir, when we started, was, can AI do the same for humans? Can AI drive efficiency for the humans that are still on the shop floor in manufacturing, quality, engineering, and maintenance roles and in equipment operation. More importantly, in maintenance, can AI be used to optimize the work that they’re doing? And why now?Here are some statistics from a report that LNS Research, an analyst firm based out of Boston ran last year on the future of industrial work. Pretty fascinating statistics. When they look at the average tenure rate in manufacturing, 2019 compared to the end of last year. So from 20 years to three years, the average time and position went down from seven years to nine months, and the average three-month retention rate, the rate at which people stay in after the first three months, from 90% down to 50%. So the problem you have in manufacturing today is yes, there’s a labor shortage, yes, it is difficult to find skilled labor, but because humans are required in manufacturing, what organizations are doing is hiring less skilled workers. And now you have a problem that’s really twofold on the shop floor. You have less experienced workers that also have less experience or less skilled workers, also have less experience. And that results in safety issues, quality issues, product recalls, downtime, everything possible that you can imagine that relates to human error in or on a factory floor.
In this survey, from LNS, the respondents, 92% of them said they were looking at technology as a way to offset that skilled labor gap. Now, it’s not the only solution, certainly there are better hiring strategies, better training strategies, but certainly looking at technology as a big piece of offsetting that labor crisis. Just another statistic here from a study in Deloitte, even if every skilled worker, and this is just in America, even if every skilled worker was employed, there would still be a 35% gap in unfilled job openings in manufacturing. That’s how bad it is. And so Deloitte predicts by 2030, that it’s a $1 trillion problem in the US alone. And I think they forecasted $3 trillion globally, a problem that exists for production output and manufacturing.
So that brings us to what we’re talking about here today, AI agents and co-pilots. Everyone here has used ChatGPT or Gemini or Perplexity or whatever, chatbot you want to use today, fantastic results and fantastic opportunities when you think about consumer AI, but what I want to do is talk about the context of AI assistance, as well as agents, which there’s some blurring of the line there, but we’ll talk about that, and their applicability in industrial operations and why it’s quite a bit different from consumer AI.
So what is an AI co-pilot? Best example is ChatGPT, right? We’ve all used it. Natural language interface, the ability to use what they call a large language model, LLM, for those of you that might not be as technical, which has the ability for that agent or that assistant to understand vast amounts of data and it provides context assistance to users. On the flip side, what is an agent? An agent is an AI bot that acts more autonomously. They can operate based on a prompt like you would have with ChatGPT, but they don’t have to. So they can actually take autonomous action based on instructions you give it. Now, when you think about it, I’m going to use ChatGPT as an example today because I think we’ve all probably used it or used something similar. They’re starting to blur the lines a little bit with their, I think they’re calling it the ChatGPT operator, so that’s starting to blur the lines between autonomous and strictly prompt-based AI. But the idea is the same in the context of today, what we’re talking about in terms of an AI co-pilot or an assistant that is a prompt-based bot that that a user might be using. And from an agent standpoint, it is something that can act more autonomously. And a prerequisite to all this, when you think about manufacturing and you think about frontline workers, whether they are working in safety, quality, equipment and machine maintenance and repair or equipment operation, a prerequisite to all this is the ability to have a connected worker.
And by connected worker, what we like to talk about at Augmentir is a worker that is not only connected with a digital or a mobile tool, like a phone, a tablet, a wearable technology, a wearable augmented reality-based headset, for example, but also digitally connected into the business. So using that interface to not just connect them physically with a device, but connect them into HR systems, learning management systems, ERP systems, quality systems, and safety systems, systems that they use every day. But now that they’re connected, they can become human sensors on the shop floor. And there’s a vast amount of data that we can then capitalize on here, and AI can then act on.
So what I want to do now is talk about consumer AI, again, the example of ChatGPT compared to industrial AI. And in the case of today, I’m going to give some examples of manufacturing companies that are actually using this technology today. But when you think about industrial operations, you have to think quite a bit differently than how we might use Gemini or ChatGPT today. So I’m just going to walk through an example here. You have a frontline worker, an operator on a manufacturing floor, and their job every day is to operate the mixer. Okay? Part of their job is also to periodically do a clean, inspect, and lubricate on that piece of equipment, so it doesn’t go down or so that they can prevent failures from happening. So that’s a CIL. So now go back to the context that I started this conversation with. Let’s say you have a less experienced worker, maybe they are a novice worker.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mdm-east-2025-chris-kuntz-speaker.webp6301200Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2025-06-11 10:50:362025-08-11 10:50:59AI Copilots and AI Agents in Manufacturing – Chris Kuntz at MD&M East 2025
Learn how shop floor data capture improves manufacturing efficiency, quality, and agility. Discover how Augmentir’s AI-powered connected worker platform transforms real-time data collection on the shop floor.
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Shop floor data capture is the process of collecting real-time information from manufacturing operations—including machine performance, labor activity, and production status—to improve visibility and decision-making. Connected worker platforms streamline and enhance this process by embedding data capture into digital workflows, enabling accurate, real-time input directly from frontline workers.
Read this article to learn more about shop floor data capture in manufacturing:
Shop Floor Data Capture (SFDC) is the process of collecting real-time operational data from the manufacturing floor. This includes tracking machine status, work order progress, labor inputs, quality checks, safety reports, material usage, and unplanned downtime—essentially, any data that reflects how work is being done in real-time.
Modern SFDC systems gather this information digitally using a combination of mobile devices, connected worker technology, sensors, connected machines (Industrial IoT), and software platforms, replacing traditional paper forms, spreadsheets, and delayed manual entry.
Why Shop Floor Data Capture Matters in Manufacturing Today
For manufacturers, every second on the shop floor counts. Without accurate, real-time insight into what’s happening, teams are forced to rely on outdated reports, gut feelings, or tribal knowledge to make decisions. This leads to:
Production delays
Low first-pass yield
Excessive downtime
Underutilized labor
Missed improvement opportunities
Shop floor data capture bridges the gap between what’s planned and what’s actually happening. When data is captured as work occurs, manufacturers gain the visibility needed to:
Identify inefficiencies immediately
Pinpoint training gaps or human error, which according to OSHA makes up 80-90 percent of serious injuries in the workplace.
Improve scheduling and resource allocation
Make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement
Who Benefits from Shop Floor Data Capture?
Shop floor data capture benefits multiple roles across manufacturing operations:
Operations Managers
Gain real-time visibility into production
Identify areas for process improvement
Supervisors & Line Leaders
Track shift performance and labor productivity
Ensure compliance with standard work
Continuous Improvement Teams
Analyze trends and root causes using accurate, structured data
Measure impact of Kaizen events or Lean initiatives
Quality Assurance
Detect deviations and non-conformances quickly
Link quality issues to specific operators, machines, or conditions
Executives
Align factory performance with strategic KPIs
Justify investments in digital transformation with hard data
Common Use Cases for Shop Floor Data Collection
1. Production Tracking
Capture cycle times, completion rates, and progress toward production targets.
2. Labor Time Reporting
Track how operators spend time on tasks, setups, changeovers, and idle periods.
3. Quality Checks
Real-time data collection with digital checklists and issue reporting—detect deviations and non-conformances quickly and link quality issues to specific operators, machines, or conditions.
Quality use case for shop floor data collection using the Augmentir Connected Worker Platform
Use modern software tools to support Statistical Process Control (SPC) data collection via mobile devices, allowing operators to input measurements directly from the shop floor. Visual dashboards and interactive SPC charts help teams quickly identify and respond to process variations.
6. Digital Work Instructions with Feedback
Capture data as operators follow digital work instructions—ensuring standard work is followed and insights are logged automatically.
7. Training and Skill Tracking
Use skills management tools to monitor how skill levels and training impact performance, and identify upskilling opportunities.
Shop Floor Data Capture is the First Step Toward Industry 4.0
Capturing accurate shop floor data is not just an operational improvement—it’s a foundational step in the journey toward smart manufacturing. By digitizing and automating data collection, manufacturers can:
Enable predictive maintenance
Support AI-driven decision-making
Improve workforce development strategies
Achieve greater agility in response to market changes
How Technology is Transforming Shop Floor Data Capture
Technology is revolutionizing how manufacturers collect and use data on the shop floor. Traditional manual methods—like paper checklists, spreadsheets, and standalone terminals—are being replaced by digital, connected solutions that enable real-time visibility, reduce errors, and unlock continuous improvement.
One of the most impactful advancements is the rise of Connected Worker Platforms. These platforms equip frontline workers with mobile devices, wearables, or voice-enabled tools that guide them through tasks while automatically capturing data in the flow of work. This eliminates the need for redundant data entry and ensures that information is accurate, consistent, and immediately available for analysis.
Adding to this transformation is the emergence of AI-powered digital assistants, such as Augie, Augmentir’s GenAI Assistant for Manufacturing. These AI tools analyze the data captured from the shop floor and deliver proactive insights, recommendations, and real-time support to workers and supervisors. Whether it’s identifying patterns in downtime, highlighting skill gaps, or surfacing quality issues, AI Agents enable a more intelligent, adaptive approach to managing operations.
Key Technology Advancements Driving Change:
GenAI Assistants like Augie: Transform raw data into intelligent, actionable insights that drive continuous improvement and smarter decision-making.
Connected Worker Platforms: Digitize frontline work and embed data capture into standard processes.
Mobile and Wearable Devices: Allow workers to input data quickly and hands-free, improving efficiency and safety.
IoT Sensors and Smart Machines: Enable automatic capture of machine data without human input.
Cloud and Edge Computing: Ensure real-time access to data across facilities and roles.
By integrating these technologies, manufacturers are not only improving data collection but also building a foundation for a more agile, efficient, and intelligent factory floor.
How Augmentir Elevates Shop Floor Data Capture
Augmentir goes beyond basic data collection by embedding data capture directly into the flow of work through AI-powered connected worker tools. Rather than asking operators to fill out separate forms or spreadsheets, data is automatically gathered as workers execute tasks using digital work instructions, smart checklists, or mobile guidance.The
Augmentir platform is a suite of connected worker software tools that helps customers digitize and optimize all frontline processes including autonomous and preventive maintenance, quality, safety, asset management, and workforce training and development. The solution combines skills management, digital workflow, collaboration, and knowledge sharing to deliver continuous value in a wide range of verticals.
At the core of this system is Augie, Augmentir’s Suite of GenAI tools. Augie continuously monitors captured data to deliver intelligent, context-aware insights to workers and supervisors—helping identify inefficiencies, recommend improvements, and provide real-time support when it’s needed most.
Key Capabilities:
Embedded Data Capture: Workers enter data naturally during task execution—no extra steps required.
Automated Time and Activity Tracking: AI accurately logs who did what, when, and how long it took.
AI-Driven Insights: Augie analyzes workforce and operational data to uncover skill gaps, detect process variation, and suggest workflow optimizations.
Closed-Loop Feedback: Capture feedback from the frontline to continuously improve instructions and processes.
Seamless Integrations: Sync with ERP, MES, or CMMS systems to create a unified data environment.
Real-Time Assistance with Augie: Augie acts as a digital assistant on the shop floor, guiding workers, surfacing knowledge, and enabling just-in-time learning and decision support.
With Augmentir, manufacturers move from reactive firefighting to proactive optimization—unlocking measurable gains in productivity, quality, and agility, all powered by real-time data and intelligent AI support.
Ready to Modernize Your Shop Floor?
With Augmentir, you can start capturing high-quality shop floor data in days—not months. Empower your teams with tools that make work easier while giving you the insight to continuously improve operations.
Request a demo or Contact us to see how Augmentir can help.
Dear Augmentir Customers and Friends – a note on Augmentir funding and Ai expansion, This week we announced that we closed an oversubscribed funding round that will support the Augmentir mission to transform the frontline workforce with our AI-based Augmented Worker Platform. This round was led by leading venture capital firm Pritzker Group Venture Capital, with participation from Lerer Hippeau, our current investors, and HOLT Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of HOLT CAT. Not only does the successful closing of this funding round further validate Augmentir and our unique approach of using AI and AR to support frontline workers, but it also enables us to expand our global footprint, further increase the functionality of the platform, and make it even more accessible to companies across the small, mid-sized and large spectrum. Together with our investors and partners, we look forward to reaching even more companies, more workers, and more innovators, while defining the future of work. With a unique and proven track record that includes founding efforts at Wonderware, Lighthammer, and ThingWorx, our executive team has the unparalleled domain expertise to deliver the next software innovation that will revolutionize the manufacturing and industrial market and shape the frontline workforce of the future. We are excited to continue this journey with you, to support your frontline workforce with augmented procedures and help your organization drive continuous improvement through AI-driven insights. Thank you! Sincerely,
Russ Fadel, CEO, Augmentir
