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Dust Away One-Size-Fits-All Work Instructions

AI-powered technology may be the missing puzzle piece for today’s workforce crisis.

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Are you still printing work instructions and operating manuals? If so, we need to have a serious chat! Maybe you invested in “going digital” a while back and think your work is done. You’re not alone. It was considered “groundbreaking” when PDF files made their way to the factory floor. 

The first generation of digital work instructions were birthed after learning 46 percent of field technicians claimed paperwork and administrative tasks were the worst part of their day-to-day job. No argument here. Completing and filing paperwork is time-consuming and there is potential for lost information. There was an obvious upside to going digital, except for no longer being able to tell your supervisor that your dog ate your worker performance report. 

But even now that technology is ready for the archives. An estimated $1.3 trillion (and counting!) has been spent on digital transformation initiatives as the online connected workplace and market continue to move at a rapid pace. 

We are no fortune tellers, but studies show that 25 to 31 percent of 3.3. million business service jobs will be automated in the next decade. This doesn’t mean everyone is being replaced by robots. On the contrary. It means technology is improving to help workers do their jobs even better. Manufacturing companies need to be prepared to hop on this next-generation train if they aren’t already.

Move over one-size-fits-all training and work instructions 

The individualized, real-time, connected worker platform is here. Let us emphasize individualized. Connected worker platforms are being implemented in myriad industries, from automotive to food processing. Any industry which is adapting daily to the constant shifts and pressures of the global economy. Regardless of the industry, standard digital work instructions are no longer effective. They do not reflect the real-time changes happening in the operation, such as order fulfilment and materials inventory, or equipment maintenance needs and the capabilities of the workers operating the machines. Imagine working on the manufacturing floor for five years and handed with the same standardized work instructions as the new hire.

Does this make sense? Not anymore. Not when AI-based technology is changing what’s possible. And what’s different about this latest wave of technology that makes it so special? It’s built around optimizing the performance of people (Gasp.)

Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. – John C. Maxwell

A marriage made in heaven–the next generation of workers is ready for a digitally connected workplace

Recruiting and retaining talented workers is one of the greatest challenges facing operations today. We get it. But there’s good news. As one generation of workers readies for retirement, another is stepping up to fill the gap. Gen Z is overflowing with talented innovators in the tech world having grown up surrounded by non-stop advancements and devices. Need one of them to look somebody up in the phone book? Forget it. But need assistance when your home computer suddenly “dies”? These are your people. 

It’s more than video games. Their education has been largely based on a digital foundation. Nearly every function of their daily lives has an element of connectivity to the broader online world. You could say this generation is hardwired to respond best to customized digital learning platforms. It’s their love language. And so the potential to drastically improve productivity is real.

The beauty of the digitally connected worker–could they be “the One”?

The digitally connected worker has all the right stuff for a long-lasting relationship with your operation. The digital training and work instruction platform holds their unique inventory of skills, goals, and performance history, and works with them to become a better version of themselves on the floor. Workers whose individual needs are supported are better, more engaged employees. They have the self-confidence – as well as the tools and specific instructions – to address problems head on when they arise. An investment in AI-powered technology is an investment in a stable, adaptable, and reliable workforce.

Are you and your workforce ready to take this next step in digitization? Contact Augmentir to start the conversation. Together let’s step into the full potential that this generation has to offer to improve your operational efficiency.

Another Successful FDA Audit in the Books

Recently, Augmentir completed a rigorous qualification audit as part of a Tier 1 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing company’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and we are pleased to announce that our product successfully passed the audit.

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Recently, Augmentir completed a rigorous vendor qualification audit as part of a Tier 1 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing company’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and we are pleased to announce that our product successfully passed the audit.

According to the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, GMP regulations require that pharmaceutical manufacturers adequately control manufacturing operations, and establish a quality approach to manufacturing, enabling companies to minimize or eliminate instances of contamination, mixups, and errors. The use of Augmentir’s connected worker software is a critical component for manufacturing within the pharmaceutical and life sciences environment as it helps to reduce errors and ensures compliance with these regulations.

This qualification audit, performed by our client’s Lead Auditor and the Senior QA Validation Specialist, assessed the adequacy and effectiveness for adherence and compliance to regulatory requirements. The quality and effectiveness and compliance to the site’s Quality Management System (QMS), policies, and procedures were also assessed and ultimately, Augmentir was approved to be an Enterprise IT System/Infrastructure Provider. 

Audits like these are challenging for any company and can present even greater challenges for small companies like Augmentir. Yet, it is extremely important as GMP regulations ensure a quality approach to manufacturing, helping companies minimize errors, mistakes, and instances of contamination.  

At Augmentir, we have successfully completed multiple audits to date and are excited to add this Pharmaceutical GMP Audit to that list as we continue in the steps of our legacy products. These audits aren’t new to our team, and this recent milestone is a continuation of our history in bringing innovative, high-quality software into the manufacturing sector, having delivered on more than an estimated 100,000 audited processes throughout the history of software products our team has been involved in.

As we kick off 2022, this Pharmaceutical GMP Audit completion stands as a testament to Augmentir, our team, and our commitment to maintaining the highest global quality standards and validates our success in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Here’s to our next successful audit!

 

The Top 100 Entrepreneurs of 2022

Recently, Augmentir completed a rigorous qualification audit as part of a Tier 1 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing company’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and we are pleased to announce that our product successfully passed the audit.

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Alumni Spotlight recently announced The Top 100 Entrepreneurs of 2022, which recognizes innovative and devoted entrepreneurs dedicated to driving economic growth across the country, stimulating new employment opportunities in nearly every industry. In addition, those selected have shown dedication to further developing technologies that bring progress, economic growth, community development, and income generation for a brighter future. We are excited to announce that Augmentir’s CEO and Co-Founder, Russ Fadel, was named as one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs of 2022! 

Russ graduated from Duke University with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, he went on to found four successful manufacturing software companies prior to Augmentir including Wonderware Software in 1987, Lighthammer (acquired by SAP) in 1997, and in 2008 ThingWorx (acquired by PTC). In 2017, Russ recognized that the most important asset, the human workers, were under-served. He co-founded Augmentir, the world’s only AI-powered Connected Worker platform, designed to increase the productivity and quality of processes involving frontline workers.

Since 2017, Augmentir has helped close the rapidly expanding skills gap in the industrial frontline workforce through the use of Artificial Intelligence, providing personalized guidance and support to manufacturing and service workers, enabling them to perform complex operational and maintenance tasks at their personal best. The suite of AI-powered connected worker tools helps industrial companies to deliver effective skills management, training, collaboration, and point of work support for today’s more dynamic industrial workforce. Augmentir’s software platform is already being used worldwide by leading industrial companies and organizations, including Colgate-Palmolive, Cisco, Baker Hughes, the U.S. Air Force, and Hunter Industries to digitize and optimize frontline work and deliver significant growth and continuous improvement in the areas of manufacturing, maintenance, service, and quality. Thanks to Russ’s leadership and guidance, Augmentir entered 2022 with triple revenue growth and is expanding its next generation Connected Worker offering globally.

 

To learn more about how AI is being used to digitize and modernize manufacturing operations, contact us for a personalized demo.