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In a recent write-up, Tech-Clarity highlighted how Augmentir is addressing one of manufacturing’s most pressing challenges: enabling a smaller, less experienced frontline workforce to perform at a higher level with intelligent systems and AI agents that operate as “digital workers” alongside human workers on the factory floor.

When respected industry analysts take notice, it’s a strong signal that something meaningful is happening in the market. In a recent write-up, Tech-Clarity highlighted how Augmentir is addressing one of manufacturing’s most pressing challenges: enabling a smaller, less experienced frontline workforce to perform at a higher level with intelligent systems and AI agents that operate as “digital workers” alongside human workers on the factory floor.

industrial ai agents with augmentir

The analysis points to Augmentir’s expanding use of machine learning, generative AI, and agentic AI as key differentiators—driving measurable gains in productivity, training effectiveness, and continuous improvement across global operations.

A Single Pane of Glass for the Frontline

At the core of Augmentir’s approach is a simple but powerful concept: give frontline workers exactly what they need, when they need it—no more, no less. Tech-Clarity notes that Augmentir delivers this through a single, contextual interface that integrates with a broad ecosystem of plant and enterprise systems.

augmentir is the single pane of glass for frontline operations

 

The platform supports the full spectrum of connected worker needs, including:

  • Digital work instructions and content authoring
  • Skills matrices and knowledge sharing
  • Contextual, personalized training delivered in the flow of work
  • AI Agents that act as “digital workers” within the connected worker platform – operating alongside human frontline workers
  • Embedded analytics and reporting, including Microsoft Power BI

Because Augmentir’s founders come from an augmented reality background, immersive and experiential learning is a native part of the platform rather than an afterthought.

Closing the Loop with True Insights™

What truly differentiates Augmentir, according to Tech-Clarity, is how it closes the loop between frontline execution and continuous improvement. As work is performed, the platform applies machine-learning–driven AI to analyze operational data across tasks, machines, individuals, and cohorts.

These insights—what Augmentir calls True Insights™—surface where performance breaks down and where improvement efforts will have the greatest impact. This could mean refining instructions, improving process efficiency, enhancing safety, or delivering targeted training exactly where it’s needed.

on the job training ojt with augmentir ai agents

Rather than static reporting, Augmentir continuously learns from real work being done on the shop floor.

Expanding into Agentic AI

In early 2025, Augmentir introduced its Industrial AI Agent Studio, building on its existing GenAI assistant, Augie. Tech-Clarity highlights this as a major step forward, enabling customers to create custom, no-code AI agents tailored to their unique operational needs.

industrial ai agent studio - build custom ai agents for manufacturing

These agents extend Augmentir’s capabilities with autonomous digital workers that support key frontline use cases:

  • Digital Lean Coach: AI agents that fill the role of a Lean coach, helping accelerate lean transformation initiatives.
  • Adaptive Training and Skills Management: AI agents that can act on frontline workers’ skills and training data to support frontline managers by identifying strengths and weaknesses, skills gaps, and recommend training paths.
  • Operations: Operational agents that support more proactive KPI tracking, unparalleled visibility across Operations, Continuous Improvement, and TPM.
  • Safety: AI agents that automatically analyze safety data and activities to provide early warning notifications.
  • Proactive Maintenance Execution: Agents that monitor equipment health and integrate with CMMS to trigger work orders, report issues, or initiate preventive maintenance tasks before failures occur.

Built-In Governance with the 6 Laws of AI Agents

Tech-Clarity also praised Augmentir’s thoughtful approach to AI governance. The platform embeds the company’s 6 Laws of AI Agents, ensuring safety, transparency, and accountability as customers deploy AI at scale:

  1. Transparency in execution
  2. Clear human ownership
  3. AI origin disclosure
  4. Persistent AI disclosure
  5. Human-in-the-loop for impactful actions
  6. No generative AI for life-critical actions

These principles are especially important for industrial environments where trust, safety, and compliance are non-negotiable.

Proven Customer Value at Scale

With customers in more than 70 countries across industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, CPG, and industrial equipment, Augmentir’s impact is already measurable.

Tech-Clarity highlights results reported by customers, including:

  • Up to 31% efficiency gains when standard work is consistently followed
  • 82% reduction in onboarding time, even amid high employee turnover
  • Faster issue resolution and reduced downtime
  • Over 5 million optimized time-and-motion studies conducted on the platform

Notably, Tech-Clarity points out that customers see a 250%–400% performance delta when comparing Augmentir’s AI-driven approach to earlier-generation or non-AI connected worker solutions.

Tech-Clarity’s Take

In their closing assessment, Tech-Clarity emphasizes that Augmentir’s comprehensive use of AI—combined with real operational feedback loops—makes it particularly well suited for organizations looking to accelerate continuous improvement, not just digitize instructions.

They also note that Augmentir’s experienced founding team and growing roster of global enterprise customers speak volumes about market confidence in both the company and its platform.

As Tech-Clarity concludes, organizations evaluating connected frontline worker solutions would be well served to take a close look at Augmentir—and where it’s taking the future of industrial work.

 

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The Hershey Company is redefining the role of the frontline worker through digital transformation — not by replacing people with technology, but by empowering people through technology.

At the recent Connected Worker Summit in Chicago, The Hershey Company shared how it’s redefining the role of the frontline worker through digital transformation — not by replacing people with technology, but by empowering people through technology.

chocolate production line with connected worker

An article in FoodProcessing.com spotlights Hershey’s digital transformation — and we’re honored to be their partner on this connected worker journey. Powered by our Connected Worker Platform, this transformation is helping Hershey connect, support, and engage its workforce like never before.

Hershey’s Approach: People First, Technology Second

Logan McNear, Digital Manufacturing Program Lead at Hershey, emphasized a fundamental truth: digital transformation only succeeds when it starts with the people doing the work.

That philosophy guided Hershey’s decade-long lean transformation and its shift toward a more digital factory environment. Rather than imposing new tools from the top down, Hershey involves operators directly in the design and implementation of digital solutions — giving them ownership of both the process and the outcome.

This human-centered approach ensures that technology doesn’t just automate or monitor — it enhances capability, engagement, and pride.

Data That Empowers, Not Overwhelms

One of the most compelling stories McNear shared was about a packaging-line operator who wasn’t especially technical. With new connected worker tools, she gained easy access to:

  • Shift performance data
  • Previous shift hand-off information
  • Simple maintenance request tools

Armed with this data, she could proactively manage performance and coordinate with other teams. Within weeks, she took pride in leading the best-performing shift on her line.

This example captures what the connected worker is all about — giving every operator real-time insights that drive ownership, performance, and engagement.

McNear summed it up perfectly:

“If we could just get a piece of that from every operator — that they’re looking at data, they’re connecting it to the problems on the floor and connecting it to the right people to solve those problems — we’d be in a whole different era of production and a different level of digital engagement.”

The Role of Augmentir in Hershey’s Transformation

Behind the scenes, Augmentir’s AI-powered Connected Worker Platform — including intelligent AI Agents — is enabling these very outcomes.

Our technology helps companies like Hershey deliver:

  • Personalized, digital workflows that guide workers through tasks with step-by-step instructions and embedded insights, adapting dynamically based on worker skill level, context, and performance.
  • Real-time data capture from the point of work, ensuring frontline actions feed directly into continuous improvement initiatives and organizational learning.
  • Connected insights across shifts, lines, and sites, enabling teams to identify trends, uncover root causes, and pinpoint where coaching or process improvements will have the greatest impact.
  • AI Agents that act on operational data and insights, proactively surfacing issues, recommending interventions, and automating follow-up actions to streamline operations and accelerate continuous improvement.
  • Worker-centric analytics powered by Augmentir’s AI, helping manufacturers understand how work actually gets done and where targeted support, training, or process changes are needed most.

By focusing on people enablement rather than process enforcement, Augmentir transforms digital tools into intelligent, action-oriented systems — turning insight into impact and driving sustained engagement and operational excellence, as Hershey’s story demonstrates.

Lessons from Hershey’s Connected Worker Journey

Hershey’s experience offers a roadmap for manufacturers looking to empower their own frontline teams:

  • Start with your people. Engage operators early and give them a voice in designing digital tools.
  • Deliver data with purpose. Ensure information helps workers make decisions, not just report them.
  • Combine lean thinking with digital agility. Use connected worker insights to accelerate continuous improvement.
  • Celebrate empowerment as success. True transformation happens when operators feel ownership — not oversight.

Closing Thoughts

The Hershey story is proof that the future of manufacturing is human + digital — not one or the other.

By combining lean principles with Augmentir’s connected worker technology, Hershey is unlocking new levels of engagement, performance, and pride across its operations.

At Augmentir, we’re proud to help leading manufacturers like Hershey turn the “connected worker” vision into a daily reality — where every worker is informed, supported, and connected.

 

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Augmentir and UKG are working together to create a digitally connected frontline workforce that is shaping the future of work in manufacturing.

In manufacturing, success isn’t just about machines—it’s about people. But here’s the problem: workforce skills tracking and daily work execution have been handled separately for too long. The result? Misassigned tasks, skills gaps, slower production, and higher error rates.

future of work in manufacturing with UKG and Augmentir

The solution? Modernizing workforce management by digitally connecting frontline workers with AI-powered skills management and connected worker technology.

Together, Augmentir and UKG are delivering this solution to manufacturing companies around the world. Read on to discover how Augmentir and UKG are working together to create more productive, more engaged workforces in manufacturing.

Workforce Management for Modern Manufacturing Operations

Think of it like peanut butter and jelly: great on their own, but unstoppable together. When manufacturers sync traditional workforce management with AI-powered connected worker technology, they unlock huge benefits:

UKG’s leading workforce management solution, combined with Augmentir’s AI-powered connected worker platform empowers manufacturing companies to optimize labor efficiency, streamline scheduling, reduce mistakes, and ensure compliance, all while boosting productivity on the production floor.

Manufacturing organizations that utilize both Augmentir and UKG Pro Workforce Management™ can benefit from connecting time and attendance, scheduling, and workforce data with Augmentir’s connected worker platform. Through this new integration, manufacturers can gain visibility into real-time, accurate employee information and skills tracking combined with AI-driven insights into work performance. By doing so, manufacturers can improve workforce efficiency and productivity and deliver more impactful training and support for frontline workers.

  • Right worker, right job – Workers are assigned tasks based on real-time skill assessments.
  • Training in the flow of work – No need to step away from production; learning happens in real time
  • Faster onboarding – New hires get up to speed quicker with AI-driven, step-by-step guidance.
  • Fewer mistakes, higher efficiency – Workers get exactly the information they need, when they need it.
  • Continuous upskilling – As employees complete tasks, their skills profiles automatically update.
  • Smarter capacity planning – Give production teams improved capacity planning and a better decision support tool for daily workforce scheduling and management. Proactively look ahead and see coverage gaps based on employee scheduling.

assign frontline work based on skills

 

Augmentir’s UKG connector streamlines the flow of employee data into Augmentir, providing operations leaders and plant managers with valuable insights into worker availability, productivity, training effectiveness, and more. This gives production teams improved capacity planning and a better decision support tool for daily workforce scheduling and management.

Gone are the days of outdated skills databases and generic training programs. Today, learning happens on the job, in the moment, and at the worker’s fingertips. Manufacturers can provide personalized on-the-job support to employees through Augmentir’s digital guidance, bringing training in the flow of work and alleviating potential skills gaps.

The Future of Training: Learning in the Flow of Work

Traditional workforce training methods are outdated. Long classroom sessions, dense manuals, and generic training modules don’t cut it anymore—especially in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Workers need real-time, task-specific guidance to build skills and stay productive.

That’s where embedded training comes in. Instead of separating learning from work, Augmentir enables:

  • Just-in-time training – Employees learn exactly what they need, right when they need it.
  • Mobile, interactive work instructions – Step-by-step guidance delivered on the shop floor.
  • Skills-based task assignments – Workers are matched to jobs they’re qualified for, with training baked in.
  • Continuous learning & upskilling – As workers complete tasks, their skills profiles evolve, keeping pace with job demands.

manufacturing workforce management and training development with connected worker software

This approach not only accelerates onboarding but also reduces downtime, improves accuracy, and keeps workers engaged—all while production continues at full speed.

How Augmentir and UKG are Shaping the Future of Work in Manufacturing

Augmentir’s AI-powered connected worker platform makes skills integration effortless. By delivering smart, adaptive digital work instructions, Augmentir ensures that:

  • Workers receive personalized guidance based on their experience level.
  • Skills data stays fresh, automatically updating as tasks are completed.
  • Training gaps are filled in real time, keeping production smooth and efficient.
  • Supervisors have full visibility into workforce capabilities and gaps.

For manufacturers like Armstrong World Industries (AWI), this has been a game-changer. Facing workforce shortages and declining tenure rates, AWI needed a way to ensure workers had access to the right information at the right time. By adopting Augmentir, AWI empowered its frontline workers to operate equipment, troubleshoot issues, and execute tasks with confidence—all through a single, mobile interface.

The Power of the UKG + Augmentir Partnership

The digital transformation of today’s manufacturing workforce doesn’t stop with Augmentir alone. The partnership between UKG and Augmentir takes workforce optimization to the next level.

By combining UKG’s workforce data (scheduling, time tracking, and HR insights) with Augmentir’s AI-driven skills tracking and adaptive work instructions, companies can:

  • Schedule workers smarter – Assign shifts based on real-time skill levels.
  • Close skills gaps faster – Proactively upskill employees before gaps cause production delays.
  • Improve retention & engagement – Give workers clear paths for career growth and skill development.
  • Boost operational efficiency – Match the right person to the right job, every time.

This isn’t just about automation—it’s about empowering people. When employees have the skills, training, and resources they need in the flow of work, they stay longer, perform better, and drive business success.

Bottom Line? Augmentir + UKG = The Future of Work in Manufacturing

The manufacturers that integrate digital skills tracking with connected worker technology that supports daily operations will be the ones that thrive in an era of workforce disruption. Augmentir and UKG are making it happen – helping companies close skill gaps, improve efficiency, and build a workforce that’s future-ready.

 

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Discover how Connected Worker platforms like Augmentir are transforming safety compliance in manufacturing and industrial sectors. From digitized SOPs to AI-powered insights, learn 5 powerful ways to improve EH&S.

In industries like manufacturing, energy, pharmaceuticals, and construction, Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s central to operational integrity, workforce well-being, and brand trust. Yet many organizations still rely on outdated paper processes, static training programs, and fragmented safety communication systems.

connected worker technology for ehs safety compliance

As digital transformation accelerates across frontline operations, a new class of solutions is emerging: Connected Worker platforms. These tools empower industrial workers with mobile access to the information, training, and communication they need—exactly when and where they need it. When integrated into EH&S programs, they don’t just make safety easier to manage—they make it smarter, more scalable, and more resilient.

Backed by AI and real-time data, platforms like Augmentir are helping companies move from reactive safety management to proactive risk prevention.

Here are the top 5 ways Connected Worker tools are improving safety compliance in 2025 and beyond:

1. Digitizing and Standardizing Safety Procedures

Outdated SOPs, missing forms, manual permit to work processes, and inconsistent training delivery can all lead to non-compliance and unsafe conditions. Connected Worker tools eliminate these gaps by fully digitizing safety workflows—creating a single source of truth for the entire workforce.

connected worker safe work permit compliance

Whether it’s a job safety analysis, equipment inspection, permit to work, or Lockout Tagout (LOTO) checklist, mobile connected worker applications ensure every worker has access to real-time, validated instructions. No printing. No ambiguity. Just operational consistency.

Impact: Reduced procedural deviations, increased inspection completion rates, and simplified regulatory reporting.

2. Real-Time Communication of Hazards and Safety Updates

Many industrial incidents are the result of slow or ineffective communication. Connected Worker platforms enhance situational awareness by enabling real-time messaging, collaboration, alerts, and escalation workflows.

collaboration with connected worker platforms

If an unexpected hazard arises—say, a chemical leak or equipment fault—managers can instantly notify affected personnel, reroute workflows, or push emergency protocols. Workers, in turn, can report near misses, unsafe conditions, or noncompliance through voice commands, forms, or photos directly from the floor.

Result: A faster, closed-loop system for identifying and addressing safety risks before they escalate.

3. Delivering Embedded, Adaptive Safety Training

Traditional EH&S training is periodic, generic, and disconnected from actual work. In contrast, Connected Worker tools bring adaptive, on-demand microlearning directly into the flow of work.

connected worker technology for safety compliance

Using Augmentir’s AI-powered connected worker platform, safety refreshers, toolbox talks, and task-specific training modules are delivered at the point of need—tailored to the worker’s skill level, recent behavior, or even risk profile.

Why it matters: Personalized safety education builds long-term retention and reduces costly retraining cycles.

4. Automating Safety Documentation and Compliance Readiness

Compliance is only as strong as its documentation. But manual reporting systems often result in incomplete records, delayed submissions, or errors that surface during audits.

Connected Worker platforms solve this by automatically capturing who did what, when, and how—across inspections, sign-offs, observations, and more. Every action is time-stamped, traceable, and ready for regulatory review, whether you’re governed by OSHA, ISO 45001, or industry-specific protocols.

Compliance advantage: Be audit-ready in minutes, not months.

5. Unlocking Predictive Safety Insights Through AI

EH&S leaders need to do more than react—they need to predict. With Connected Worker platforms, operational data becomes a strategic asset. Augmentir uses AI and machine learning to analyze safety behaviors, flag leading indicators of risk, and recommend interventions—before incidents occur.

This includes identifying trends such as repeated safety violations on a particular shift, increasing near-misses on certain equipment, or declining task proficiency in a subgroup of workers.

Forward-looking benefit: Transition from lagging indicators (like incident rates) to leading indicators that drive a culture of safety excellence.

How Augmentir is Revolutionizing Safety Compliance

Augmentir’s platform is at the forefront of transforming how industrial companies manage EH&S. By embedding safety into daily operations, it helps organizations go beyond compliance to create a culture of safety ownership.

Key innovations Augmentir brings to safety compliance:

  • AI-driven Safety Intelligence: Augmentir’s AI identifies risk trends across tasks, teams, and sites, helping safety leaders implement targeted improvements.
  • Smart Workflows: Every safety-critical task is embedded into digital workflows that adapt to individual performance and conditions in real time.
  • Continuous Worker Feedback: Built-in feedback loops ensure workers can raise issues, suggest improvements, and stay engaged with safety practices.
  • Performance-Linked Safety Coaching: Augmentir correlates safety metrics with individual skill profiles, prompting personalized coaching to address gaps before they become incidents.

Augmentir doesn’t just digitize safety—it makes it dynamic, intelligent, and fully integrated with operational execution. As a result, companies can achieve higher compliance rates, fewer incidents, and a more empowered frontline workforce.

Final Thoughts: EH&S in the Connected Era

LNS Research, a thought leader in the industrial space, recently identified EH&S as one of the most strategic areas impacted by Connected Worker technologies. As expectations rise—for safety, sustainability, and operational agility—the need to modernize your EH&S approach becomes non-negotiable.

Augmentir’s Connected Worker platform enables industrial companies to embed safety into every task, every worker, and every workflow. It’s time to stop managing safety in silos and start integrating it into the core of your operations.

Let’s talk: Request a demo to see how Augmentir can elevate your EH&S strategy.

 

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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.

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.

Chris Kuntz, Vice President of Strategic Operations at Augmentir, speaking on AI Copilots and AI Agents in Manufacturing at MD&M East 2025

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.

workforce crisis in manufacturing and the opportunity for ai agents and ai copilots

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.

The Augmented Connected Worker

At the heart of the talk was Augmentir’s Connected Worker technology—a framework that brings together:

  • AI-powered guidance and support to help frontline workers perform tasks more efficiently, safely, and accurately.
  • Real-time data capture and insights that drive continuous improvement across operations, training, and workforce performance.
  • A unified digital platform that connects people, processes, and systems to enable scalable workforce transformation in manufacturing.

6 Game-Changing Use Cases

Chris walked attendees through six real-world use cases—showing how Augmentir and Augie are delivering measurable outcomes for manufacturers:

  • Content Assistant – 76% faster digitization of SOPs and training docs
  • Work & Training Assistant – 82% reduced onboarding time
  • Image Comparison – Improved inspection accuracy, reduced rework
  • 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.

 

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Boost your Clean Inspect Lubricate (CIL) processes with modern digital tools to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and reduce equipment downtime.

In manufacturing, it’s often the simplest routines that have the biggest impact. Take CIL—Clean, Inspect, Lubricate, a key part of Autonomous Maintenance. CIL is one of the first maintenance activities operators learn, and one of the most frequently performed. But here’s the thing: when done right, CIL can become a powerful driver of equipment reliability, lean efficiency, and frontline ownership.

clean inspect lubricate cil with digital tools from augmentir

Unfortunately, in too many factories, CIL is stuck in the past—paper checklists, inconsistent execution, and little visibility into whether it’s even being done. It becomes a checkbox exercise instead of a value-generating process.

At Augmentir, we’re changing that.

Taking CIL Beyond Machine Upkeep

CIL isn’t just about machine upkeep—it’s about unlocking the full potential of your frontline teams. While it’s often viewed as a basic task to keep machines running, we believe CIL plays a far more strategic role in manufacturing. It’s one of the few consistent, hands-on opportunities operators have to engage with their equipment and contribute to its health, performance, and longevity. When done right, CIL boosts equipment reliability, minimizes unplanned downtime, and forms the foundation for Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Lean Manufacturing—core principles of the Toyota Production System.

However, the traditional approach to CIL—paper checklists, manual logs, and inconsistent training—limits its potential. Without real-time visibility or standardization, it’s easy for these tasks to become rushed or overlooked, turning CIL into a reactive or even forgotten process. That’s why we approach CIL as a digitally connected, people-centric process. When CIL is embedded into daily workflows, supported with intuitive guidance, and tied into data-driven insights, it becomes far more than routine—it becomes a driver of reliability, workforce engagement, and continuous improvement. In short, we see CIL as a launchpad for smarter operations, and a powerful opportunity to elevate the role of the frontline worker.

clean inspect lubricate autonomous maintenance cil checklist

It’s about building a smarter, more proactive, more connected manufacturing environment—one that prevents problems instead of reacting to them.

Modernizing CIL for Today’s Workforce with Augmentir

At Augmentir, we believe CIL isn’t just a task—it’s a pivotal moment. A moment when operators pause to care for the equipment that powers your operation. Though simple, this act has the potential to connect people, processes, and machines in a way that drives long-term reliability and performance.

Yet in many manufacturing environments, CIL remains an undervalued routine. But we know better. These everyday actions—cleaning a part, inspecting for wear, applying lubrication—are where operational excellence begins. They’re the frontline’s first defense against equipment failure, quality issues, and lost productivity. More importantly, they’re one of the few daily touchpoints where workers can directly influence performance.

Here’s how Augmentir is modernizing CIL to make every moment count:

1. Digital CIL Workflows that Guide and Empower

Frontline workers can access step-by-step instructions on any mobile device or tablet. With clear visuals, safety prompts, and machine-specific guidance, every task is executed correctly—every time. No more guesswork. No more paper binders.

2. Smart Insights that Drive Action

Our AI-powered platform captures and analyzes every CIL activity, helping you spot inefficiencies, missed steps, and recurring issues. Routine maintenance becomes a powerful engine for continuous improvement.

3. Real-Time Visibility and Accountability

Supervisors and maintenance teams gain instant visibility across all lines and shifts. See which equipment has been serviced, who completed the work, and what issues were flagged—without chasing checklists or relying on memory.

4. Embedded Knowledge and Skill Development

CIL is also an opportunity to upskill. Augmentir embeds tribal knowledge into workflows, enabling operators to learn on the job and contribute valuable feedback that strengthens the entire system.

When powered by real-time data and AI, CIL transforms from a basic task into a strategic asset. It boosts decision-making, reveals hidden issues, supports autonomous maintenance, and empowers your workforce. The result? More uptime. More consistency. More engaged frontline teams—and less waste.

At Augmentir, we’re committed to turning these everyday moments into measurable impact. With the right tools, even routine tasks can fuel innovation and resilience.

Ready to turn your CIL program into a competitive advantage?

 

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Discover smarter issue management strategies to boost efficiency, reduce downtime, and streamline industrial operations with intelligent, proactive solutions.

Issue management in industrial settings is the structured process of identifying, documenting, and resolving operational problems to maintain efficiency, safety, and quality. Connected worker tools play a transformative role by enabling frontline teams to report and address issues in real time, ensuring faster resolution and continuous improvement.

issue management and asset management in industrial operations

Read our article below to learn more about Issue Management in Manufacturing:

What is Issue Management in Industrial Operations?

Issue management in industrial settings is the structured process of identifying, documenting, and resolving operational problems to maintain efficiency, safety, and quality. Connected worker tools play a transformative role by enabling frontline teams to report and address issues in real time, ensuring faster resolution and continuous improvement.

Issue management refers to the process of identifying, tracking, and resolving problems that impact daily operations. These issues can include equipment malfunctions, quality deviations, safety incidents, process bottlenecks, and supply chain disruptions. In complex industrial environments—such as manufacturing plants, energy facilities, and logistics hubs—even small issues can ripple through the operation, causing costly downtime and rework.

Effective issue management is essential for maintaining operational efficiency, consistency, and safety. It ensures problems are not only addressed quickly but also documented and analyzed for future prevention.

Issue management is also a fundamental component of Lean manufacturing. Within a Lean framework, addressing issues swiftly and at the source is critical for minimizing waste (muda), improving process flow, and enabling continuous improvement (Kaizen). Effective issue management supports Lean principles, originally identified by Taiichi Oohno, by promoting standardization, visual control, and empowering frontline workers to contribute to quality and productivity improvements.

Common Challenges in Issue Management

Organizations often face several challenges when managing operational issues:

  • Manual Processes: Paper-based or spreadsheet systems slow down response times and increase the risk of human error.
  • Lack of Visibility: Disconnected systems hinder real-time tracking, making it difficult to prioritize and resolve problems effectively.
  • Poor Communication: Important details are lost during shift handover or between departments, especially in 24/7 operations.
  • Delayed Resolution: Without a standardized, traceable process, recurring issues continue to disrupt performance and morale.

These challenges lead to longer downtime, inconsistent quality, and reduced trust in issue reporting systems.

Pro Tip

Using connected worker solutions can help improve issue management with improved visibility and reporting, mobile reporting and issue tracking, workflow automation, and collaboration tools.

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Digital Solutions to Address Issue Management

Modern industrial operations require more than reactive problem-solving. They need connected, real-time, intelligent tools that help prevent issues before they escalate. Traditional methods simply can’t keep up with the speed and complexity of today’s operations, where problems can rapidly multiply and impact cost, quality, and customer satisfaction.

A digital solution helps organizations move from reactive issue handling to a more predictive, proactive, and data-informed strategy. These systems not only streamline how issues are reported and resolved but also enable greater transparency and continuous improvement.

Types of Digital Solutions for Issue Management:

Connected Worker Tools

Combine digital guidance, remote collaboration, performance support, and real-time feedback into one platform. These tools empower frontline workers with the right information at the right time, enhance decision-making, and drive faster issue resolution.

Mobile Reporting Tools

Allow frontline workers to report issues directly from their mobile devices with photos, voice notes, and structured forms.
Collaborative Platforms: Facilitate real-time communication between teams to ensure quick action and alignment.

Workflow Automation

Automatically assign tasks, trigger alerts, and ensure accountability across teams and shifts.

Integrated Dashboards

Provide visibility into issue trends, resolution time, and performance metrics.

AI and Analytics Tools

Analyze data to identify recurring issues, uncover root causes, and recommend preventive actions.

Training and Knowledge Management Systems

Tie issue management to employee training, so workers can learn from past incidents and avoid repeating mistakes.

With a modern digital solution, organizations can:

  • Capture and categorize issues in real-time from any device
  • Assign tasks with clear accountability and deadlines
  • Track resolution progress across shifts and teams
  • Surface trends that inform strategic improvements
  • Enhance collaboration and cross-functional learning

Best Practices for Issue Management in Manufacturing

Implementing effective issue management requires more than just tools—it demands consistent best practices that support a culture of accountability and improvement. Here are key practices to follow:

  • Standardize Reporting: Ensure all employees use the same process and language to report issues. Digital templates and forms help create consistency.
  • Empower Frontline Workers: Make it easy for anyone on the floor to log an issue quickly, without bureaucratic roadblocks.
  • Respond in Real Time: Establish clear protocols for triaging and escalating issues based on severity and impact.
  • Integrate with Existing Systems: Sync issue tracking with maintenance, quality, and training systems to provide full visibility and context.
  • Track and Analyze Trends: Use dashboards and analytics to identify recurring problems and opportunities for improvement.
  • Close the Loop: Make sure every issue leads to a documented resolution, including root cause analysis and preventive actions.
  • Promote Continuous Improvement: Use issue data to drive Kaizen events, lean manufacturing projects, or training enhancements.

How Augmentir Enhances Issue Management

Augmentir’s connected worker platform transforms how frontline teams identify and solve problems. By embedding AI and collaboration tools into everyday workflows, Augmentir ensures that no issue goes unnoticed—or unresolved.

augmentir connected worker platform

Key capabilities include:

  • Digital Issue Capture: Workers can report issues with rich detail (text, photos, voice), improving clarity and response.
  • Real-Time Notifications: Alerts and escalations ensure the right people are engaged immediately.
  • AI-Powered Root Cause Analysis: Augmentir continuously learns from your operations, suggesting root causes and identifying patterns.
  • Connected Workflows: Seamlessly link issues to related work instructions, safety protocols, and training content.
  • Operational Insights: Dashboards visualize issue frequency, impact, and resolution efficiency across teams, sites, or business units.

Augmentir goes beyond digital forms and basic tracking—it provides an intelligent, end-to-end issue management system. With built-in AI, collaboration tools, and analytics, Augmentir equips your workforce with everything needed to detect, manage, and eliminate operational problems at their source.

Whether you’re operating a multi-site manufacturing network, running a high-stakes field service team, or managing supply chain logistics, Augmentir delivers the tools to keep your operations resilient and responsive.

Ready to upgrade your issue management process?

 

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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.

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.

shop floor data capture by a technician in advanced manufacturing facility collecting data with a digital tablet Industry 4.0

Read this article to learn more about shop floor data capture in manufacturing:

What is Shop Floor Data Capture?

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 control checklist with augmentir

Quality use case for shop floor data collection using the Augmentir Connected Worker Platform

4. Downtime and OEE Monitoring

Identify unplanned stoppages, categorize downtime, and improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

5. SPC Data Collection

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

Whether you’re adopting Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Industry 4.0, real-time, accurate shop floor data is essential for success.

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.

 

using ai to improve manufacturing training

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.

augmentir connected worker platform

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.

 

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