Augmentir Wins Gold at 2024 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Technology Awards

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Augmentir recognized by the Brandon Hall Group for the “Best Advance in Generative AI for Business Impact”, wins gold in the 2024 Technology Excellence Awards.

We did it again!

We are excited to announce today that Augmentir won Gold in the 2024 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Technology Awards for “Best Advance in Generative AI for Business Impact“.

augmentir wins gold at 2024 brandon hall group awards for generative ai business impact

The 2024 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Awards™ are given for work in Learning and Development, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Sales Enablement, Future of Work, and Education Technology. Augmentir received its gold award in the Future of Work category based on our breakthrough, innovative use of Generative AI to address skilled labor shortages and workforce challenges that are crippling the manufacturing industry today.

Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives based upon these criteria: fit the need, program design, functionality, innovation, and overall measurable benefits.

“In our 31st year, the Excellence in Technology Awards continue to showcase the best innovations in learning, talent management, talent acquisition, HR, workforce management, and sales enablement technologies. We are proud to receive applications from a diverse range of organizations globally, reflecting the ever-evolving landscape of technology solutions,” said Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer Rachel Cooke, leader of the Excellence Awards program.

 

Augmentir’s generative AI solution – Augie™ – is a central component to the Augmentir Connected Worker platform. Augie is a generative AI assistant that improves operational efficiency and supports today’s less experienced frontline workforce through faster problem-solving, proactive insights, data analysis, rapid content creation, and enhanced decision-making.

Augmentir recently unveiled powerful new updates to Augie, and launched the industry’s first Industrial Generative AI Suite, targeted towards improving safety, quality, and productivity for the industrial frontline workforce. Augie’s suite of gen AI services expand on the platform’s existing capabilities, which have been in use by leading manufacturers for over a year, transforming operations and addressing the skilled labor shortage through advanced troubleshooting and real-time digital assistance to frontline workers. The Augie Industrial Gen AI Suite includes:

  • Augie Industrial Work Assistant
    Provide real-time support and guidance to workers on the floor or in the field. Augie helps workers with standard work, troubleshooting, and information access.
  • Augie Content Assistant
    Automatically convert existing digital content (Word Excel, PDF, etc) into native Augmentir Work instructions, SOPs, OPLs, CILs, Checklists, etc., accelerating deployment. Generate training, checklists, and quizzes from a wide range of source types including images, manuals, free-form tests, etc., to streamline worker training and onboarding.
  • Augie Data Assistant
    Augie provides insights from any source of operational data, including standard datasets such as Skills, Standard Work, Safety, and Work Execution, as well as customer-specific datasets generated through Augmentir’s report configurator. Augie eliminates the need for “report writing” and through its conversational interface answers questions, performs math, and generates graphical reports, increasing responsiveness.
  • Augie Extensibility Assistant
    Augie increases the productivity of developers building new functions and supporting existing user-defined functions within Augmentir’s extensibility framework. Augmentir’s unique Platform-as-a-Service offering empowers customers and partners to create unique solutions that solve critical business challenges—a capability that no other platform on the market offers.
  • Augie Industrial GenAI-as-a-Service
    As an industry first, Augie exposes its GenAI capabilities as APIs within Augmentir’s extensibility framework. This allows companies and partners to create innovative, customized GenAI solutions tailored to business, or industry-specific needs and use cases. Commonly used APIs include: translateText enabling on-the-fly translation of dynamic content, and imageQA, enabling direct comparison or summarization of images, supporting critical applications in Quality, Safety, and Operations.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by the Brandon Hall Group for bringing the transformative power of generative AI to industrial frontline operational processes,” said Russ Fadel, CEO of Augmentir. “Just as we have seen GenAI deliver transformational value to the consumer and enterprise, the Augie Suite provides the tools to enable companies to empower their frontline workers, regardless of experience, to perform with higher levels of safety and productivity. Additionally, this provides the tools for our partners to build innovative use cases to solve previously unsolvable problems.”

Augmentir introduced Augie in early 2023, becoming the first software provider in the manufacturing sector to offer a generative AI solution focused on the industrial frontline workforce. Since its launch, Augie has been adopted by industry leaders across all manufacturing and production verticals, helping prevent safety and quality issues at the point of work, driving operational efficiency, and giving frontline workers the tools, guidance, and support they need to do their best work.

Augie’s generative AI capabilities are built into the core of the Augmentir platform, so customers can quickly and securely leverage the latest AI advances within the framework of digital collaboration, skills management, and work execution. This allows customers to leverage existing data, documents, applications, and their existing tribal knowledge, increasing their ROI.

Interested in learning more?

If you’d like to learn more about Augmentir and see how our AI-powered connected worker platform enables Augmented Connected Worker initiatives to improve safety, quality, and productivity across your workforce, schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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How to reduce downtime and increase productivity in manufacturing

Connected frontline operations platforms are helping manufacturers reduce downtime and provide a foundation for a holistic preventive maintenance strategy.

Downtime in manufacturing refers to a period of time when a production line or machine is not in operation due to maintenance, repairs, or other issues. This can result in a loss of productivity, increased costs, and missed production targets, and it is estimated that in the US alone it costs manufacturers around $1 trillion dollars per year. Not surprisingly, the biggest factors that contribute to unplanned downtime are human error and improper maintenance.

To minimize downtime, manufacturers are turning to digital technology to transform their frontline operations and provide a foundation for a holistic preventive maintenance strategy.

reduce downtime in manufacturing

Reducing downtime with a Connected Frontline Operations Platform

Manufacturers often implement Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) as part of a more comprehensive preventive maintenance approach. TPM is a strategy commonly used in manufacturing and production operations to improve the effectiveness and reliability of equipment, which in turn can increase productivity and reduce downtime.

Total productive maintenance strives to reduce workplace losses by placing the responsibility of basic maintenance upkeep on the primary equipment user: the machine operator. This preventive practice consists of “8 pillars” to help improve equipment reliability and elevate worker productivity:

Autonomous Maintenance as pillar of TPM

At the front of this framework is Autonomous Maintenance. Autonomous maintenance is a technique used in TPM that involves giving operators and other frontline employees the responsibility and authority to take care of their own equipment and work areas (e.g cleaning, safety checks, etc.). This can improve employee engagement by giving them a sense of ownership over their work and equipment, as well as a greater understanding of how their actions can impact productivity and quality. Additionally, involving employees in the maintenance process can lead to improved communication and teamwork, which can further enhance engagement.

This is where frontline operations platforms come into play.

Connected frontline operations platforms are digital software tools that can help standardize and improve the way operators perform maintenance tasks. They are used to improve communication, training, collaboration, guidance, and support for the operators.

Reduce machine downtime with Augmentir’s Connected Worker Solution

See how Augmentir can help you implement an effective autonomous maintenance program and optimize your frontline operations.

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downtime dashboard

Your connected workforce – a key to reducing downtime

Factory workers can have a significant impact on downtime in manufacturing. Whether it’s due to mistakes made by operators, non-optimal scheduling, or lack of communication, your workforce is at the center of your frontline operations. Factory workers can impact downtime in a variety of ways:

  1. Improper operation or maintenance: If factory workers are not properly trained on how to operate and maintain equipment, they may inadvertently cause downtime by making mistakes or not following proper procedures. Modern connected worker tools, like Augmentir’s connected worker solution, are increasingly being used to streamline training and digitize skills tracking to help ensure that the right people with the right skills are on the job.
  2. Safety incidents: Workers who do not follow proper safety procedures can cause accidents that lead to downtime while equipment is repaired or replaced. By digitizing safety procedures, manufacturers can ensure that workers perform the proper steps, and follow the proper protocols before performing a maintenance routine.
  3. Human error: Workers may make mistakes that lead to downtime, such as not properly setting up equipment or not noticing when a machine needs maintenance. Properly training employees on how to maintain and operate equipment can help to minimize downtime due to human error
  4. Quality issues: Workers may produce products that do not meet quality standards, which can lead to downtime while the products are reworked or scrapped.
  5. Lack of proper communication: Having clear and effective communication channels can help to quickly identify and address any issues that arise. Frontline communication tools like Augmentir can help improve communication and digitally record issues to better understand root causes. By identifying the underlying causes of downtime, manufacturers can take steps to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
  6. High turnover rate: High turnover rate can lead to a lack of experienced workers and can cause downtime while new employees are trained. While it’s difficult to completely prevent a high turnover rate, you can take measures to both expedite training for new hires, as well as create a more engaged, more empowered workforce. For example, Augmentir’s connected worker solution helps to accelerate new hire training and onboarding, and provides a skills management framework that helps to ensure that workers are excelling at their jobs.

It is important to note that factory workers are a crucial part of the manufacturing process and their role is vital for the success of the business. However, by providing workers with proper training, safety procedures, and communication channels, downtime in manufacturing due to human error can be reduced. Additionally, involving workers in the decision-making process and continuous improvement initiatives, can help to increase their ownership and responsibility towards the equipment, processes, and the whole factory’s performance.

Interested in learning more?

Augmentir is a connected worker solution that allows industrial companies to digitize and optimize all frontline processes that are part of their TPM strategy. The complete suite of tools are built on top of Augmentir’s patented Smart AI foundation, which helps identify patterns and areas for continuous improvement.

manufacturing kpi first time right

 

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Augmentir Selected by Hexagon to Join the Sixth Sense Open Innovation Program

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Advanced manufacturing start-ups from around the world competed for a spot on Hexagon’s Sixth Sense open innovation platform, with 8 now getting the chance to win the top two coveted positions.

After a series of pitches and presentations to the Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence panel of judges, we’re excited to announce that Augmentir was selected to join the second cohort for Hexagon’s Sixth Sense program.

Sixth Sense is an open innovation platform where scaling smart manufacturing start-ups can connect with world-class companies to solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges. Powered by Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence it is an opportunity to share valuable resources, data, and ideas to accelerate progress and solve real world problems by creating transformative solutions that enable an autonomous future that benefits everyone.

Augmentir will be part of a program aimed at advancing manufacturing using visualization and digital reality, and intelligence and automation. This current cohort’s theme builds on Hexagon’s commitment to accelerate innovation and drive the global shift to a new sustainable way of operating. Sixth Sense will see a focus on the following areas of emerging technology: digital twin innovations, metaverse factory design, predictive and prescriptive intelligence, and autonomous and sustainable manufacturing operations.

Augmentir was selected due to our ability to shape the next generation of manufacturing solutions that will not only boost performance but benefit people and the planet. Augmentir’s Smart Connected Worker solution reduces the time needed to onboard new workers and guides workers of all skill levels. The software helps workers to do their job safely and correctly, mitigating the impact of workforce disruption.

By inviting the next generation of innovators to the table, Hexagon is sharing its resources and making connections that accelerate progress – pushing the boundaries of design, manufacturing, and engineering and starting to imagine a better future for the benefit of everyone.

Say Hello to Augie!

Say hello to the newest addition to the Augmentir platform, Augie – the GenAI powered digital assistant for manufacturing.

Say hello to the future of work in manufacturing with the latest addition to Augmentir’s suite of connected worker tools, Augie™.

augie generative ai assistant for manufacturing

Augie is a digital assistant for frontline operations that utilizes Generative AI and proprietary fit-for-purpose, pre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance operational efficiency, problem-solving, and decision-making for today’s less experienced frontline industrial workers. It leverages enterprise-wide data, provides instant access to relevant information, closes skills gaps with personalized support, offers insights into standard work and skills inventory, and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement.

Augie is a result of our dedication to empowering frontline workers, leveraging AI to support manufacturing operations, and giving manufacturing workers better tools to do their jobs safely and more efficiently.

Continue reading below to learn more about how Augie works and how it can benefit your frontline workforce and manufacturing operations:

How our GenAI Powered Assistant Works

Generative AI-powered smart manufacturing assistants are designed to provide secure, role-based, personalized assistance to frontline workers, engineers, and managers in various industries, including manufacturing.

They work by leveraging artificial intelligence and integrations across different software systems, providing guidance and assistance in various tasks to enhance productivity and performance. This includes providing data insights, recommendations on actions to improve performance, and the ability to create analyses and dashboards with a natural language-based assistant.

A majority of smart manufacturing assistants only draw their information from manufacturing execution systems (MES), without tying in other important systems necessary for frontline manufacturing success.

Augie, however, is different. It leverages enterprise-wide data tying in information from a wide range of platforms including operational data, training and workforce management data, connected worker and engineering data, as well as information from enterprise systems.

gen ai industrial manufacturing

How Augie Benefits Your Frontline Workforce

Augie is unique among other smart manufacturing assistants. It leverages proprietary fit-for-purpose, pre-trained LLMs and generative AI, coupled with robust security and permissions, to help factory managers, operators, and engineers improve efficiency, resolve issues faster, and prevent downtime.

With information readily available via Augie, frontline workers can make decisions faster, reduce downtime, and improve troubleshooting with instant access to summarized facts relevant to a job or task. Additionally, Augie is multi-modal, meaning it can return actionable information in the form of work procedures, training videos, recorded collaborations, engineering documents and SOPs, as well as tribal knowledge.

Through Augie, manufacturers can instantly:

  • Close skills and experience gaps with personalized support
  • Gain insights into Leader Standard Work
  • Gain new insights into skills inventories
  • Convert Tribal Knowledge into Digital Corporate Assets
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement
  • Forecast potential operational issues

augie gen ai industrial assistant troubleshooting

With Augie by your side, you can streamline manufacturing operations, optimize performance, empower your frontline workforces, and stay ahead in today’s rapidly evolving and competitive landscape.

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6 Ways Manufacturers Can Use GenAI Today

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Improve Operational Efficiency with Augie and Augmentir

The digitization of frontline processes has become a must-have to keep up with the velocity of change – but not just digitization … smart digitization. Recently, Deloitte found that 86% of manufacturing executives believe smart factory solutions will be the primary drivers of competitiveness in the next five years. Leveraging smart, AI-driven connected worker solutions that allow industrial organizations to best support their frontline workforces and optimize processes to make them safer and more efficient is critical to overall enterprise success.

At Augmentir, we have been met with continued success in our efforts to transform manufacturing operations. Our patented Smart AI foundation helps manufacturing organizations close the loop between training and work execution, delivering the data and in-line insights necessary to continuously improve operational excellence day-over-day, year-over-year. Augmentir is the world’s leading connected worker solution, combining smart connected worker and GenAI technologies to drive continuous improvement and enhance performance management initiatives in manufacturing.

The addition of Augie to our platform is a game-changer for factory floor and other frontline workers, allowing for quick reference troubleshooting and useful, contextualized information to be delivered at the moment of need. Furthermore, with Augie, less experienced workers are provided with additional support and individualized guidance based on the job or task needs.

With patented AI-driven insights that digitize and optimize manufacturing workflows, training and development, workforce allocation, and operational excellence, Augmentir is trusted by manufacturing leaders as a digital transformation partner delivering measurable results across operations. Schedule a live demo today to learn more.

 

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How to Digitize Your Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) Program with Connected Worker Technology

Explore how to digitize Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) programs and processes with an AI-powered Connected Worker Platform for improved efficiency, accuracy, and better results.

Operator Driven Reliability programs, a.k.a. ODR programs, empower frontline operators to take an active role in equipment maintenance and reliability. It recognizes that due to operators’ constant contact with equipment, they are the best situated to detect any potential issues and take preventative steps before any damage is caused.

operator driven reliability odr program

While ODR programs are forward-thinking and apply the same lean manufacturing principles found in autonomous maintenance, in many cases they still have room for improvement. For example, in too many instances manufacturing ODR programs are still completed using outdated pen-and-paper procedures. This causes tasks like plant operator rounds to take far longer than they would if reports, checklists, and work instructions were digitized and delivered via a smart connected worker platform.

Then not only would equipment maintenance and reliability be streamlined and faster, but there would also be a digital footprint available for operational activities like process improvement, data analysis, audit reporting, and more. Read below to discover the benefits of a digital ODR program, including best practices, real-world examples, and insights into the future of ODR and workforce dynamics in manufacturing.

The Benefits of a Digital ODR Program

Digital Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) programs offer significant advantages over traditional pen-and-paper methods. AI-driven connected worker platforms play a crucial role offering integrations with existing systems like ERP, CMMS, MES, and QMS, supporting ODR training with guided support and tutorials, encouraging continuous improvement through performance tracking and digital skills assessments, and even facilitating enhanced industrial collaboration with real-time communication and cross-shift knowledge-sharing.

Further benefits of a digital ODR program include:

  • Enhanced Data Collection and Analysis: Connected worker platforms allow for real-time data capture from operators on the condition of equipment and AI-driven analytics are able to identify trends, offer actionable insights, and predict potential issues.
  • Digital Workflow Optimization: Digital work instructions and checklists optimize and streamline tasks and procedures, standardizing ODR activities, and automating task assignments and reminders for an increase in efficiency and accuracy.
  • AI-Driven Insights and Decision Making: AI-powered tools coupled with data collected through connected worker platforms offer visibility into the frontline workforce like never before, enabling better workforce intelligence, informed decisions about equipment maintenance and reliability, predictive maintenance based on historical data, and more.
  • Digital Documentation and Compliance: Digital forms and checklists offer automatic logging of ODR activities and equipment interventions, easy access to up-to-date standard operating procedures (SOPs), and digital audit trails for regulatory compliance. Overall, digitizing the documentation processes for ODR programs ensures better accountability and regulatory adherence.
Pro Tip

With AI-driven connected worker technology, manufacturers can effectively digitize their ODR programs, significantly enhancing equipment reliability, reducing downtime, and improving overall operational efficiency in manufacturing environments.

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Digital Operator Driven Reliability – Best Practices and Examples

Implementing a digital ODR program helps manufacturers empower frontline operators, engaging workers with an active role in equipment maintenance and reliability, leading to reduced downtime, improved productivity, and better overall equipment performance.

Below are some best practices and industry examples of digital ODR programs in real-world situations.

Best practices for digital ODR programs:

  • Implement robust data collection and analysis systems
  • Provide mobile accessibility for operators
  • Use digital work instructions and checklists
  • Enable real-time communication and collaboration
  • Integrate with existing systems (ERP, EAM, CMMS, MES)
  • Leverage AI-powered analytics and predictive maintenance
  • Offer digital training, knowledge management, and skill development tools

digital operator driven reliability with autonomous maintenance checklist cil

 

Autonomous Maintenance Checklist
Free Template
Standardize your autonomous maintenance routines with our free Autonomous Maintenance Checklist Template. Download our PDF template to get started, and learn more about digitizing your autonomous maintenance process with Augmentir.
Download Free Template

Industry examples of digital ODR in action:

  • Chemical Manufacturing Plants – Refinery and chemical operators conduct regular valve inspections and adjustments, using digital operator round planning tools to schedule routines and automate notifications.
  • Food and Beverage Production – Packaging line operators inspecting sealing mechanisms for proper operation can log equipment condition data into digital systems, clean and lubricate equipment fittings, and provide observations to maintenance teams supported by digital media assets like pictures and videos.
  • Pulp and Paper Mills – Operators conduct regular visual inspections of the Fourdrinier wire (the mesh screen that forms the paper sheet) for signs of wear, damage, or misalignment and use, using digital checklists to streamline and standardize inspection processes and document any minor repairs or adjustments made during their shift.

Through digital ODR practices, manufacturing frontline operators can help detect early signs of problems, maintain optimal machine performance, and contribute to reduced downtime and improved product quality.

The Future of ODR Programs and the Manufacturing Workforce

Manufacturing currently faces a series of crises, ranging from a severe shortage of skilled workers to an insurmountable increase in customer demand – industrial organizations are working hard to keep their facilities producing and their heads above water while still maintaining industry standards.

Many manufacturers continue to experience high frontline worker disengagement and attrition rates, a recent study by The Manufacturing Institute and PwC stated that more than one-third of manufacturers reported high turnover rates, while only 58% carried out proper frontline employee engagement initiatives.

Using AI-driven connected worker platforms to digitize programs like ODR that incorporate frontline operators and engage them in meaningful tasks using their expertise is the best path forward for manufacturing organizations regardless of their industry focus. These platforms allow for quick adoption of new processes and adaptation of current processes based on market needs/demands. They support frontline workers like never before, giving them access to tools like generative AI assistants and expert knowledge and guidance at a moment’s notice.

The future of manufacturing lies in the hands of the next generations of workers and it’s the responsibility of industrial organizations to equip them with the right tools to keep them safe and ensure they can carry out their duties effectively.

Interested in learning more?

To learn more about digitizing Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) and how to transform your frontline manufacturing activities with our AI-powered connected worker platform – schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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Ushering in a New Era for Connected Industrial Work with the Augie™ GenAI Suite

Discover how Augmentir’s Gen AI Suite and Augie transforms how manufacturers support frontline activities and personnel.

We recently unveiled a watershed moment in connected worker technology history with updates and expansions to Augie, our generative AI assistant for industrial work. This expansion drastically improves the breadth and reach of Augie’s capabilities, enhancing the already powerful tool even more and creating a generative AI suite of tools and assistants for frontline industrial work. This first-of-its-kind Augie GenAI Suite, redefines the future of manufacturing, empowering frontline workers everywhere with unmatched AI-driven tools.

But what does this mean for manufacturers and industrial organizations looking to improve their operations and how can Augie help you?

augie industrial generative ai assistant manufacturing

Basically, this suite of generative AI assistants includes dedicated capabilities for companies to enhance their Troubleshooting, Operations, Data Insights, and Content Creation; and even introduces a GenAI-as-a-Service option. This expands on Augie’s existing capabilities for advanced troubleshooting and real-time digital assistance to frontline workers and adds further abilities for advanced safety/risk mitigation, worker compliance, workforce development, knowledge management and training, quality management, and more.

Read below to learn more about the new Augie GenAI Suite, what it can do, what it means for the future of manufacturing work, and how it can help you.

Augie’s Expanded Suite of GenAI Assistants

The Augie suite transforms frontline manufacturing like never before – giving teams instant access to expert knowledge, next-level data insights, and seamless operational support. From troubleshooting to operations and content creation, the possibilities are endless.

Introducing a first-of-its-kind GenAI Suite for industrial work:

Augie Industrial Assistant 2.0

Enhancements include support for dozens of new content types, the addition of patented-pending prompt enrichment, and superior prioritization, resulting in increased accuracy and actionability.

Augie Content Assistant

Automatically convert existing digital content (Word Excel, PDF, etc.) into native Augmentir Work instructions, SOPs, OPLs, CILs, Checklists, etc., accelerating deployment. Generate Training, Checklists, and Quizzes from a wide range of source types including images, manuals, free-form tests, etc., to streamline worker training and onboarding.

Augie Data Assistant

Augie provides insights from any source of operational data, including standard data sets such as Skills, Standard Work, Safety, and Work Execution, as well as customer-specific datasets generated through Augmentir’s report configurator. Augie eliminates/reduces the need for “report writing” and, through its conversational interface, answers questions, performs math, and generates graphical reports, increasing responsiveness.

Augie Extensibility Assistant

The Extensibility Assistant increases the productivity of developers building new and supporting existing user-defined functions in Augmentir’s extensibility framework. Augmentir’s unique Platform-as-a-Service capabilities enable customers and partners to create unique capabilities to solve important business problems, a capability not available elsewhere in the market

Augie Industrial GenAI-as-a-Service

As an industry first, Augie exposes its GenAI capabilities as APIs in Augmentir’s extensibility framework, enabling companies and partners to utilize Industrial genAI within innovative, company or vertical-specific use cases. Commonly used APIs include translateText enabling on-the-fly translation of dynamic content, and imageQA, enabling direct comparison or summarization of images, supporting critical applications in Quality, Safety, and Operations.

This is a true game-changer for frontline manufacturing personnel, equipping them with expert knowledge, advanced tools, and intuitive support like nothing has before. But more than that, these are not just simple upgrades, this is the future of manufacturing, right at the fingertips of those who matter most – frontline personnel.

Advantages of Generative AI Assistants in Manufacturing

Generative AI assistants in manufacturing streamline production by automating repetitive tasks, reducing human error, and optimizing workflows. They enhance decision-making through real-time data analysis, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings. Augie is unique among other smart manufacturing assistants in that it leverages proprietary fit-for-purpose, pre-trained LLMs and generative AI, coupled with robust security and permissions, to help factory managers, operators, and engineers improve efficiency, resolve issues faster, and prevent downtime.

Through Augie, manufacturers can instantly:

  • Close skills and experience gaps with personalized support
  • Gain insights into Leader Standard Work
  • Gain new insights into skills inventories
  • Convert Tribal Knowledge into Digital Corporate Assets
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement
  • Forecast potential operational issues

The expansion of the Augie tool kit further enhances these capabilities, allowing for more advanced and adaptable functions such as those described above. With the Augie GenAI suite by your side, the potential for improved frontline support, optimized manufacturing operations, and the empowerment of frontline industrial workforces is limitless.

Supporting Frontline Workers with GenAI Assistants

Augmentir introduced Augie in early 2023, becoming the first software provider in the manufacturing sector to offer a generative AI solution focused on the industrial frontline workforce.

Since its launch, Augie has seen massive support from leading manufacturing organizations. It has been applied by these global leaders across all manufacturing and production types, helping prevent safety and quality issues at the point of work, driving operational efficiency, and giving frontline workers the tools, guidance, and support they need to do their best work.

Augie’s generative AI capabilities are built into the core of the Augmentir platform, so users can quickly and securely leverage the latest AI advances within the framework of digital collaboration, skills management, and work execution. This allows frontline users and other manufacturing personnel to leverage existing data, documents, applications, and their existing tribal knowledge, increasing their ROI.

Interested in learning more?

To learn more about Augie and how it has the potential to transform and augment your frontline workers and activities with patented AI-driven insights and to learn why Augmentir is trusted by leading manufacturers as a reliable digital transformation partner – schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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Frost & Sullivan Names Augmentir the Leader on the Frost Radar™: Augmented Connected Worker Platforms, 2024

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The latest Frost & Sullivan Radar report recognizes Augmentir as the Leading Augmented Connected Worker Platform.

Augmented Connected Worker (ACW) solutions revolutionize manufacturing and industrial operations and Augmentir is leading the way!

The recent Frost & Sullivan Radar report recognized Augmentir as the Leading ACW Solution with our AI-powered connected worker platform. AWC is a concept that combines the methodologies behind connected worker and augmented worker initiatives to provide a clearer, more accurate picture of what the future of manufacturing work looks like.

augmentir named the leader in frost radar for augmented connected worker platforms 2024

Read below to learn more about Augmentir in the Frost Radar report and how ACW technologies benefit both manufacturers and their workers alike.

The Frost & Sullivan Augmented Connected Worker Radar Report 2024

The Frost & Sullivan Radar Report, or Frost Radar™, is an analytical tool that benchmarks the future growth of leading organizations across multiple industries. Through careful selection and research across criteria that encompasses 2 major indices and 10 evaluation criteria, analysts select organizations that will be able to successfully support users into the future.

This edition of the Frost Radar, ranked Augmentir #1 out of all the ACW vendors. Augmentir empowers organizations to embrace Augmented Connected Worker initiatives through a comprehensive platform that combines connected worker and AI technologies to connect and support frontline workers like never before.

frost radar augmented connected worker platforms

As manufacturing workers become more interconnected, they can use AI tools in conjunction with smart connected worker solutions to gain insights that pinpoint areas with significant potential for improvement, this allows them to truly augment their workforces equipping them with the knowledge and abilities to complete their work safely and competently.

For more information on the Frost Radar, and the evaluation methodology used by Frost & Sullivan, click here.

Augmentir Ranked #1 Connected Worker Platform, Most Complete Solution on the Market

Frost & Sullivan has identified nine functionalities that are essential for a complete ACW solution.

  1. Knowledge and data management. The solution serves as a repository of knowledge.
  2. Work assistance and productivity. It provides digital tools to enhance frontline workers’ tasks, such as digital work instructions, digital Kanban boards, and navigation guidance.
  3. Seamless experience. The solution must be easily accessible from available devices (phones, tablets, wearables) to integrate seamlessly into everyday operations.
  4. Skills management. This serves as an extension for learning management systems (LMS) and provides supervisors and plant managers the necessary tools to upskill the workforce.
  5. Channel for communication. The solution offers native features to enable collaboration across operations, such as remote assistance, multi-site or multi-team workflows, and news feeds.
  6. Reporting and analytics. This refers to pre-built dashboards with workforce and task execution data. The ACW platform can also provide tools for configuring custom dashboards and integrating data from other systems.
  7. Integrations. The solution comes with a variety of pre-built connectors and tools to easily build new integrations to common systems.
  8. Platform capabilities. NC and LC development environments allow the building of digital procedures, workflows, training programs, and dashboards. Standard templates are available to accelerate time to value and the default deployment option is cloud-based.
  9. Integrated AI. The solution leverages AI in one or more ways. AI-enabled features include predictive maintenance, automatic creation of workflows/digital work instructions/troubleshooting procedures based on video or worker input, automatic analysis and optimization recommendations for processes, AI-powered search engines, copilots, live translations, and more.

Frost & Sullivan ranked Augmentir as a Leader in both innovation and growth within the ACW solution landscape.

According to Frost & Sullivan:

Augmentir offers one of the most comprehensive ACW solutions in the market. Its new AI copilot sets it apart from most other products in the market by covering a variety of use cases. The company’s plans to leverage engagement data from the workforce is a unique initiative in the current market. All these factors contribute to making Augmentir the leader in the Frost Radar Innovation Index.

Augmenting Frontline Workers with an AI Platform for Connected Work

Manufacturing is uniquely situated as an industry to benefit from Augmented Connected Worker solutions leveraging AI-powered connected worker technology for process improvements, quality, management, enhanced training, and more. ACW initiatives facilitate faster onboarding, increased workforce flexibility, and the retention of essential knowledge.

augmentir connected worker platform

AI – including generative AI tools, software, and assistants – plays a crucial role in ACW initiatives, addressing overarching trends like skills variability and the loss of tribal knowledge within the workforce. It serves as the cornerstone for implementing data-driven improvements in operational performance and continuous enhancement.

At Augmentir, we believe that a connected worker platform’s purpose goes beyond just delivering instructions and remote support; it should continually optimize the entire connected worker ecosystem and augment the capabilities of frontline workers. With this in mind, we introduced Augie™ – our generative AI assistant for industrial work, in early 2023.

With Augie, manufacturers can unlock previously untapped potential in their frontline personnel and operations. Our recent expansion and enhancements now offer the first-ever suite of dedicated GenAI assistants for manufacturing enterprises covering anything from Troubleshooting, Operations, and Data Insights, to Content Creation and even GenAI-as-a-Service.

Interested in learning more?

If you’d like to learn more about Augmentir and see how our AI-powered connected worker platform enables Augmented Connected Worker initiatives to improve safety, quality, and productivity across your workforce, schedule a demo with one of our product experts.

 

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Why Quality is Important in Manufacturing

Learn why implementing quality in manufacturing is crucial for product creation, risk management, and more.

Quality in manufacturing depends on effective quality control (QC), a set of procedures used to measure and test products for compliance. The main function of QC is to ensure that all goods are free of defects, meet client expectations, and adhere to industry best practices.

Products have the potential either to increase customer satisfaction or to create legal and financial complications if deficiencies are found. In the current era where consumers are increasingly conscious of product safety and quality, it is paramount that manufacturers are doing all they can to ensure products meet all quality standards. Quality goods can affect a business’s success and advance its credibility to the public. They can also lead to fewer production costs and increases in profit.

With emerging digital technologies such as AI and connected worker solutions, manufacturers can improve quality control, decrease defects, and more. AI-powered connected worker platforms allow manufacturers to standardize quality control, resulting in fewer errors, reduced defects, and streamlined quality processes that are faster and more accurate.

Explore the following content to get a better idea of why quality is crucial and ways to improve it:

quality in manufacturing

Defining quality on industrial frontlines

Quality in the manufacturing realm is all about following procedures to meet product and compliance specifications. Once the standard for quality is set, the rest is about meeting product expectations through standardized procedures.

Quality in production can be broken down into three factors: design, quality control, and quality management.

Design: A product can be significantly improved by design. For example, goods should be made with the right materials to ensure functionality and a longer shelf life.

Quality control: The level of quality is improved when waste and product defects are reduced during the QC process.

Quality management: Completing production processes that follow regulatory standards is at the core of quality management.

Pro Tip

By digitizing quality control and quality assurance procedures, manufacturers can ensure a standardized approach towards inspections and quality data collection and improve overall compliance with quality standards.

Quality affects every facet of manufacturing

Production quality is more than just distributing products that people will trust and buy. Though that may be a key factor, quality affects every aspect of manufacturing, from workplace risk management to machine upkeep and inspection.

Quality affects many aspects of production. Examples include the following:

  • Risk management ensures products are safe to use by customers and follow safety protocols. Smart, connected worker solutions are able to improve risk management through standardization and optimization of quality checks.
  • Regulatory compliance is a key component of quality and can help prevent delays in production and fines. With digitized processes in place, manufacturers are able to ensure workers have access to the correct procedures and that tasks are performed in a standardized manner to avoid errors and promote improved compliance.
  • Waste reduction is possible when material resources are conserved and used accordingly in production processes. AI-powered analytics in conjunction with smart, connected worker solutions allow for improved, streamlined processes that are able to reduce waste and improve yield through optimized production.
  • Errors and defects are reduced when procedures are standardized using efficient QC processes to troubleshoot problems. With connected worker solutions and digitized quality control processes such as layered process audits, mistakes can be identified as they happen, protecting the production process.
  • Machine upkeep and inspection can be strengthened when industry best practices are implemented. Digitizing machine inspection standards and upkeep notifications and connecting frontline workers via smart, connected worker platforms gives operators the ability to practice preventative and autonomous maintenance and improves overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and reduces unplanned downtime.

How to Improve Quality in Manufacturing

Quality improvement in manufacturing is vital to ensure a business is performing at its best. Here are some ways to boost quality with real-world examples:

Step 1: Practice lean manufacturing.

Lean manufacturing is the practice of reducing waste in production processes. Waste is defined as anything that does not bring value to the customer. This method requires an examination of your current practices to see which work and which leads to greater waste. The rise of digital technology is making it easier and more practical for manufacturers to connect and digitize their operations and drive further improvements and enhance lean manufacturing strategies.

Real-world application: An injection molding machine was found clogged with mold and was producing products with damaged seams. After resolving this issue by cleaning the machine, the company had less wasted plastic and fewer product malfunctions. With digitized notifications, real-time collaboration, and smart, connected worker solutions, situations like the above can be solved quickly and with reduced impact on production.

standardize and digitize quality assurance procedures

Step 2: Implement total productive maintenance.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) focuses on the idea that every employee should do their part to maximize equipment effectiveness. The objective is to create a culture where every worker adjusts and maintains machinery over the course of each shift. Through a combination of digital work instructions and real-time collaboration tools, manufacturers can better implement and improve TPM initiatives. This allows operators to independently complete maintenance tasks at peak performance and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Real-world application: Both operators and maintenance staff can perform routine maintenance to check for errors or deficiencies. By implementing connected worker solutions organizations can improve the quality, transparency, and efficiency of maintenance and repair procedures and minimize machine downtime and reduce overall maintenance costs and impact.

Step 3: Embrace statistical process control.

This method involves detecting production issues by studying data anomalies to get rid of root causes before they ruin entire assembly lines. With connected frontline worker solutions that are integrated with enterprise quality management systems, organizations can improve statistical process control by optimizing data collection and inspection procedures through their frontline workforce. This essentially transforms frontline workers into quality sensors that further enhance and empower overall quality efforts.

Real-world application: Tracking the number of defective goods on each production line can help with identifying the root of any issue and taking corrective action. Smart, connected worker technology improves tracking ability, optimizes data collection, and identifies issues faster, reducing the risk of product recalls, and preserving consumer trust.

Digitizing Quality in Manufacturing with Augmentir

Companies are adopting innovative new technologies, processes, and methods to improve quality, productivity, and collaboration efforts across the industrial arena. Guaranteeing quality in manufacturing boils down to standardizing processes. Every procedure should contribute to product value and be carried out in a unified way. Implementing smart, connected solutions and coupling them with AI-powered analytics opens new paths for manufacturers to step forward and improve how they approach quality in the production process and beyond.

By digitizing analog paper practices, you enable better quality control and standardization of inspection procedures which, in turn, strengthens your overall manufacturing operations. Augmentir can help with the digitization and transformation process. We understand the need for effective quality control, and we have demonstrated success in helping manufacturers improve quality on the production floor.

Check out our quality use cases, and request a live demo today to learn for yourself why companies are choosing Augmentir to help standardize and digitize quality control procedures.

 

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