Boost your Clean Inspect Lubricate (CIL) processes with modern digital tools to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and reduce equipment downtime.
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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.
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.
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?
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/rethinking-clean-inspect-lubricate-cil.webp12602400Madison Kimbroughhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngMadison Kimbrough2025-04-08 15:46:492025-12-14 20:00:42Rethinking CIL: How Digital Tools Turn Clean, Inspect, Lubricate Into a Competitive Edge
Discover smarter issue management strategies to boost efficiency, reduce downtime, and streamline industrial operations with intelligent, proactive solutions.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn how shop floor data capture improves manufacturing efficiency, quality, and agility. Discover how Augmentir’s AI-powered connected worker platform transforms real-time data collection on the shop floor.
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Shop floor data capture is the process of collecting real-time information from manufacturing operations—including machine performance, labor activity, and production status—to improve visibility and decision-making. Connected worker platforms streamline and enhance this process by embedding data capture into digital workflows, enabling accurate, real-time input directly from frontline workers.
Read this article to learn more about shop floor data capture in manufacturing:
Shop Floor Data Capture (SFDC) is the process of collecting real-time operational data from the manufacturing floor. This includes tracking machine status, work order progress, labor inputs, quality checks, safety reports, material usage, and unplanned downtime—essentially, any data that reflects how work is being done in real-time.
Modern SFDC systems gather this information digitally using a combination of mobile devices, connected worker technology, sensors, connected machines (Industrial IoT), and software platforms, replacing traditional paper forms, spreadsheets, and delayed manual entry.
Why Shop Floor Data Capture Matters in Manufacturing Today
For manufacturers, every second on the shop floor counts. Without accurate, real-time insight into what’s happening, teams are forced to rely on outdated reports, gut feelings, or tribal knowledge to make decisions. This leads to:
Production delays
Low first-pass yield
Excessive downtime
Underutilized labor
Missed improvement opportunities
Shop floor data capture bridges the gap between what’s planned and what’s actually happening. When data is captured as work occurs, manufacturers gain the visibility needed to:
Identify inefficiencies immediately
Pinpoint training gaps or human error, which according to OSHA makes up 80-90 percent of serious injuries in the workplace.
Improve scheduling and resource allocation
Make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement
Who Benefits from Shop Floor Data Capture?
Shop floor data capture benefits multiple roles across manufacturing operations:
Operations Managers
Gain real-time visibility into production
Identify areas for process improvement
Supervisors & Line Leaders
Track shift performance and labor productivity
Ensure compliance with standard work
Continuous Improvement Teams
Analyze trends and root causes using accurate, structured data
Measure impact of Kaizen events or Lean initiatives
Quality Assurance
Detect deviations and non-conformances quickly
Link quality issues to specific operators, machines, or conditions
Executives
Align factory performance with strategic KPIs
Justify investments in digital transformation with hard data
Common Use Cases for Shop Floor Data Collection
1. Production Tracking
Capture cycle times, completion rates, and progress toward production targets.
2. Labor Time Reporting
Track how operators spend time on tasks, setups, changeovers, and idle periods.
3. Quality Checks
Real-time data collection with digital checklists and issue reporting—detect deviations and non-conformances quickly and link quality issues to specific operators, machines, or conditions.
Quality use case for shop floor data collection using the Augmentir Connected Worker Platform
Use modern software tools to support Statistical Process Control (SPC) data collection via mobile devices, allowing operators to input measurements directly from the shop floor. Visual dashboards and interactive SPC charts help teams quickly identify and respond to process variations.
6. Digital Work Instructions with Feedback
Capture data as operators follow digital work instructions—ensuring standard work is followed and insights are logged automatically.
7. Training and Skill Tracking
Use skills management tools to monitor how skill levels and training impact performance, and identify upskilling opportunities.
Shop Floor Data Capture is the First Step Toward Industry 4.0
Capturing accurate shop floor data is not just an operational improvement—it’s a foundational step in the journey toward smart manufacturing. By digitizing and automating data collection, manufacturers can:
Enable predictive maintenance
Support AI-driven decision-making
Improve workforce development strategies
Achieve greater agility in response to market changes
How Technology is Transforming Shop Floor Data Capture
Technology is revolutionizing how manufacturers collect and use data on the shop floor. Traditional manual methods—like paper checklists, spreadsheets, and standalone terminals—are being replaced by digital, connected solutions that enable real-time visibility, reduce errors, and unlock continuous improvement.
One of the most impactful advancements is the rise of Connected Worker Platforms. These platforms equip frontline workers with mobile devices, wearables, or voice-enabled tools that guide them through tasks while automatically capturing data in the flow of work. This eliminates the need for redundant data entry and ensures that information is accurate, consistent, and immediately available for analysis.
Adding to this transformation is the emergence of AI-powered digital assistants, such as Augie, Augmentir’s GenAI Assistant for Manufacturing. These AI tools analyze the data captured from the shop floor and deliver proactive insights, recommendations, and real-time support to workers and supervisors. Whether it’s identifying patterns in downtime, highlighting skill gaps, or surfacing quality issues, AI Agents enable a more intelligent, adaptive approach to managing operations.
Key Technology Advancements Driving Change:
GenAI Assistants like Augie: Transform raw data into intelligent, actionable insights that drive continuous improvement and smarter decision-making.
Connected Worker Platforms: Digitize frontline work and embed data capture into standard processes.
Mobile and Wearable Devices: Allow workers to input data quickly and hands-free, improving efficiency and safety.
IoT Sensors and Smart Machines: Enable automatic capture of machine data without human input.
Cloud and Edge Computing: Ensure real-time access to data across facilities and roles.
By integrating these technologies, manufacturers are not only improving data collection but also building a foundation for a more agile, efficient, and intelligent factory floor.
How Augmentir Elevates Shop Floor Data Capture
Augmentir goes beyond basic data collection by embedding data capture directly into the flow of work through AI-powered connected worker tools. Rather than asking operators to fill out separate forms or spreadsheets, data is automatically gathered as workers execute tasks using digital work instructions, smart checklists, or mobile guidance.The
Augmentir platform is a suite of connected worker software tools that helps customers digitize and optimize all frontline processes including autonomous and preventive maintenance, quality, safety, asset management, and workforce training and development. The solution combines skills management, digital workflow, collaboration, and knowledge sharing to deliver continuous value in a wide range of verticals.
At the core of this system is Augie, Augmentir’s Suite of GenAI tools. Augie continuously monitors captured data to deliver intelligent, context-aware insights to workers and supervisors—helping identify inefficiencies, recommend improvements, and provide real-time support when it’s needed most.
Key Capabilities:
Embedded Data Capture: Workers enter data naturally during task execution—no extra steps required.
Automated Time and Activity Tracking: AI accurately logs who did what, when, and how long it took.
AI-Driven Insights: Augie analyzes workforce and operational data to uncover skill gaps, detect process variation, and suggest workflow optimizations.
Closed-Loop Feedback: Capture feedback from the frontline to continuously improve instructions and processes.
Seamless Integrations: Sync with ERP, MES, or CMMS systems to create a unified data environment.
Real-Time Assistance with Augie: Augie acts as a digital assistant on the shop floor, guiding workers, surfacing knowledge, and enabling just-in-time learning and decision support.
With Augmentir, manufacturers move from reactive firefighting to proactive optimization—unlocking measurable gains in productivity, quality, and agility, all powered by real-time data and intelligent AI support.
Ready to Modernize Your Shop Floor?
With Augmentir, you can start capturing high-quality shop floor data in days—not months. Empower your teams with tools that make work easier while giving you the insight to continuously improve operations.
Request a demo or Contact us to see how Augmentir can help.
Discover how to optimize shift startup performance during the golden hour in manufacturing – boost efficiency and drive productivity with connected worker technology.
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The Golden Hour in Manufacturing refers to the first hour of production after a shift begins, a line is restarted, or a process is changed over. It is a critical window of time where performance, quality, and productivity are closely monitored to ensure a strong, stable start to the shift.
AI-powered connected worker solutions give you the digital tools to create a reliable, transparent, and data-driven shift handover — making your Golden Hour truly golden. No more missed info, no more guesswork, just smooth startups and better shift-to-shift alignment.
Read our article below to learn more about the Golden Hour in Manufacturing:
The Golden Hour in manufacturing is the crucial first hour at the start of a production shift, changeover, or restart. This period is treated as a high-priority window to verify that machines, materials, personnel, and processes are all operating correctly and efficiently. During this time, supervisors and frontline workers focus on identifying and resolving any early-stage issues—such as quality defects, equipment malfunctions, or supply shortages—before they can affect the rest of the shift. The goal is to ensure a smooth, consistent startup that sets the stage for high productivity and minimal waste.
This concept aligns closely with lean manufacturing principles, emphasizing proactive problem-solving, first-time quality, and continuous improvement. By closely monitoring performance metrics like first pass yield, cycle time, changeover time (a key performance indicator for quick changeover), and downtime during the Golden Hour, teams can make real-time adjustments and prevent small issues from becoming larger operational setbacks. Many manufacturers also use digital tools and connected worker platforms to standardize Golden Hour checklists, track startup performance, and support operator communication—turning this critical hour into a strategic advantage.
Pro Tip
Using digital tools and connected worker technology can help to standardize and optimize Golden Hour checklists, track startup performance, and support operator communication—turning this critical hour into a strategic advantage.
Golden Hour: a Bottleneck and an Opportunity
The Golden Hour is a deceptively small window with an outsized impact. It’s when frontline workers receive their marching orders, assess equipment, respond to unresolved issues from the previous shift, and set the tone for productivity, safety, and quality. But for many manufacturers, this hour can be plagued by inefficiencies.
Bottleneck: Where the Golden Hour Goes Wrong
Here’s how the Golden Hour can become a liability:
1. Incomplete Shift Handover
Most shift changes rely on manual notes, whiteboard updates, or verbal exchanges. These are often:
This creates information gaps that lead to confusion, delays, or rework.
2. Delayed Startup and Lost Time
Operators may spend 30–60 minutes just getting oriented:
Locating tools or materials
Checking machine status
Figuring out which tasks are highest priority
This lost time is rarely tracked, but it compounds over shifts, weeks, and quarters—significantly reducing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
3. Unresolved Issues Carry Over
When maintenance issues, quality concerns, or safety risks go undocumented or unaddressed, they often resurface during the next shift—now harder to track and fix.
4. Disengaged or Underprepared Workers
According to Gallup, employee engagement in the U.S. fell to its lowest level in over a decade in 2024, with only 31% of employees reporting being actively engaged at work. In manufacturing environments, this disengagement is especially visible during shift transitions—particularly among new or cross-trained workers. These employees often enter their shifts unsure of what’s expected of them, especially during the critical first hour. Without clear direction, proper onboarding, or real-time support, their uncertainty can quickly lead to avoidable errors, increased dependency on supervisors, and a noticeable drop in confidence and morale. This not only affects individual performance but can disrupt the flow of the entire operation.
Opportunity: A Strategic Window for Gains
When managed well, the Golden Hour becomes a strategic advantage that sets the foundation for a high-performance day.
1. Accelerated Ramp-Up Time
With the right systems in place, workers can:
Receive task assignments instantly
Access personalized, digital instructions
Know the status of machines and ongoing work within minutes
This cuts wasted time and increases output from the get-go.
Supervisors and plant managers gain instant visibility into:
What happened last shift
What’s planned this shift
Where attention is needed now
These insights help allocate resources more effectively during the most time-sensitive part of the day.
4. Proactive Quality and Safety Checks
The first hour is a prime window to:
Identify anomalies before full-scale production starts
Catch quality issues early
Perform standardized safety walkthroughs
This proactive approach leads to fewer defects, reduced scrap, and improved compliance.
5. Frontline Worker Empowerment
When workers are equipped with the tools, context, and clarity they need right away, they feel:
More confident
More engaged
More likely to solve problems independently
The Impact Golden Hour has on Daily Productivity
The Golden Hour in manufacturing plays a crucial role in shaping daily productivity by establishing a strong operational foundation right at the start of the shift. When this first hour is managed effectively—through proper machine checks, material readiness, and operator alignment—it minimizes early disruptions and ensures that production ramps up efficiently. This proactive approach helps prevent issues from escalating, allowing teams to maintain a steady workflow and hit performance targets more consistently throughout the day.
Conversely, if problems arise during the Golden Hour—such as equipment malfunctions, quality defects, or unclear communication—they often cause delays and require rework, which can drag down productivity for the entire shift. By treating the Golden Hour as a focused period for startup optimization and problem-solving, manufacturers can reduce downtime, improve first-pass yield, and drive a more productive and predictable day on the shop floor.
How Smart Connected Worker Technology Improves the Golden Hour
Replace static whiteboards and paper notes with real-time digital logs that:
Capture key insights from the previous shift
Automatically assign tasks
Flag unresolved issues or maintenance alerts
2. Context-Aware Work Instructions
Workers receive personalized, on-demand instructions that adapt to:
Role
Skill level
Machine status
Environmental factors
This eliminates confusion and empowers workers from minute one.
3. Data-Driven Shift Reports
Supervisors gain visibility into:
Performance trends
Downtime root causes
Operator feedback
Real-time metrics
This helps prioritize resources and make smarter decisions during the first critical hour.
4. Enhanced Collaboration & Communication
Connected platforms integrate chat, alerts, and escalation paths so teams across departments (maintenance, quality, operations) can collaborate instantly.
Optimizing the Golden Hour with Augmentir
In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, the first hour of every shift—the Golden Hour—can determine the trajectory of the entire day. It’s a window where clear communication, confident execution, and fast decision-making matter most. Augmentir, the world’s only AI-powered connected worker platform, is purpose-built to optimize this critical time by digitizing processes, guiding workers, and providing real-time operational intelligence.
Instead of relying on manual notes, whiteboards, or verbal updates, Augmentir transforms shift handovers into streamlined, digital experiences. Interactive, time-stamped logs capture production status, unresolved issues, and visual task assignments, ensuring incoming teams are aligned from the moment they clock in. Workers no longer waste time figuring out what needs to be done. Augmentir’s intelligent platform delivers personalized work instructions, targeted task recommendations, and live feedback, helping every worker start their shift with confidence and clarity—whether they’re seasoned or new to the role.
For supervisors and plant leaders, Augmentir unlocks a deeper level of visibility into early shift performance.The analytics dashboard highlights inefficiencies, recurring downtime, and skill gaps that impact productivity—providing actionable insights right at the point of need.
Augmentir helps close the skills gap during this high-stakes hour. Integrated microlearning delivers training directly within the workflow, reducing ramp-up time and minimizing mistakes during the most impactful part of the day.
By turning the Golden Hour into a moment of alignment and acceleration, Augmentir helps manufacturers unlock new levels of efficiency, agility, and workforce performance—right from the very first minute of the shift.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/golden-hour-in-manufacturing.webp12602400Madison Kimbroughhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngMadison Kimbrough2025-05-03 01:53:412025-12-14 19:58:51Mastering the Golden Hour in Manufacturing: Boost Shift Startup Performance
Augmentir welcomes Mike Carroll to our Board of Advisors! Mike is widely recognized as an industry trailblazer and visionary, with a proven track record of driving innovation, industrial transformation, and AI strategy.
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We’re excited to welcome Mike Carroll to Augmentir’s Board of Advisors!
A recognized leader in industrial operations, digital innovation, and workforce strategy, Mike brings decades of experience driving transformation across manufacturing and industrial enterprises.
Widely regarded as an industry visionary, Mike most recently served as Vice President of Innovation at Georgia-Pacific, where he led transformative initiatives across the company and its parent, Koch Industries. His leadership in AI strategy, operational excellence, and workforce enablement makes him a powerful addition to Augmentir as we continue to grow our AI-powered connected worker platform — helping manufacturers tackle their most critical workforce challenges.
A Career at the Intersection of Manufacturing, Innovation, and Industrial Transformation
Mike’s career spans key leadership roles where he has helped organizations modernize operations by aligning people, process, and technology. At Georgia-Pacific, he led enterprise-wide efforts in operations, engineering, and manufacturing excellence, creating more adaptive, future-ready workforces.
His expertise extends beyond technology adoption — encompassing workplace modernization and the human side of digital transformation. These experiences make him a valuable voice in the evolving conversation about the future of work.
Why This Matters Now
Manufacturing is undergoing a seismic shift. With aging workforces, widening skills gaps, labor shortages, and increasing production complexity, manufacturers are being forced to rethink how they engage, support, and train their frontline teams.
At the same time, emerging technologies like AI, connected worker platforms, and intelligent automation are opening new opportunities — but only when implemented with real-world operational understanding.
That’s where Mike’s experience is invaluable. Having led transformation initiatives from within the industry, he brings both a strategic lens and practical wisdom to ensure that workforce transformation remains central to industrial innovation.
Mike has a unique ability to connect operational goals with frontline execution. His strategic vision and practical insight will be a tremendous asset as we continue helping manufacturers digitize their frontline operations and unlock workforce potential through AI.
We see the future of industrial work now being realized by emerging AI approaches, utilizing generative AI knowledge management, and AI factory agents collaborating alongside humans on the shop floor. Augmentir’s focus on delivering an intelligent frontline operations platform goes beyond visualizing data to actually driving action. It digitally connects people, processes, and systems, enabling proactive management through intelligent workflows, digital task management, and continuous improvement tools. With Augmentir, data isn’t just displayed—it’s used to empower smarter, faster, and more effective operations.
“Augmentir isn’t just another layer of dashboards, it’s goal is to be a unified ‘single pane of glass’ that closes the loop between training and work execution, empowering frontline teams with AI-driven insights and augmented guidance to drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, and productivity. I’m excited to join a company that doesn’t merely digitize processes but learns from every action on the shop floor and delivers in-line support, whether through generative AI assistants or remote expert collaboration, so manufacturers can onboard workers faster, optimize skills, and unlock their full potential.”
– Mike Carroll
Driving the Future of Connected Work
At Augmentir, we’re committed to helping manufacturers digitize and optimize their frontline operations with AI-powered tools for skills management, digital workflows, industrial collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Welcoming Mike Carroll to our Board of Advisors is another step forward in that journey — strengthening our ability to serve manufacturers with both cutting-edge technology and real-world operational insight.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/augmentir-welcomes-mike-carroll-board-of-advisors.webp12602400Russ Fadelhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngRuss Fadel2025-06-05 13:54:542025-11-27 03:14:25Augmentir Welcomes Mike Carroll to Board of Advisors
In conversations with our customers, a recurring theme emerges when discussing their transition to digital processes: the largest cost and burden often lies in the time and effort required to digitize existing paper-based materials.
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In conversations we have with manufacturing companies, a recurring theme emerges when discussing their transition to a paperless operation: the largest cost and burden often lies in the time and effort required to digitize existing paper-based materials.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and checklists are typically built over years, representing a significant repository of organizational knowledge. Converting these into digital formats while maintaining accuracy and accessibility can be daunting.
Customers frequently express concerns about the resource-intensive nature of this transformation. It’s not just about scanning documents; it’s about rethinking and structuring them for digital workflows. Many find themselves needing to allocate substantial time to review, update, and adapt content to ensure it aligns with current operational realities and integrates seamlessly into new platforms.
This challenge is real for any industrial company undergoing a transformation to digital manufacturing. It also represents an opportunity … and this is exactly why we created Augie.
The Power of GenAI in Digitizing Content
Generative AI (GenAI) has transformative potential for digitizing content by automating the conversion of paper-based materials into structured, digital formats. It can analyze and extract information from documents like SOPs, work instructions, or checklists, quickly translating them into editable, standardized templates. GenAI also enables content enhancement, such as rewriting for clarity, integrating visuals, language translation, or adapting content for specific workflows. By accelerating the digitization process and reducing manual effort, GenAI empowers organizations to transition to digital systems more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Augie, a suite of Industrial Generative AI tools from Augmentir, revolutionizes industrial digital transformation by combining advanced AI capabilities with practical, human-centric applications. Augie uses generative AI and the power of advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) to transform digital content creation, create adaptive workflows, provide real-time worker guidance, and analyze data to deliver actionable insights.
“
Augie has been instrumental in helping us quickly transform our existing paper-based SOPs and training documents into interactive digital work instructions and learning tools. We’ve reduced our digitization effort from months down to days. This has streamlined our processes, reduced errors, and accelerated the upskilling of our workforce.
Digital Transformation Lead Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Manufacturer
Augie for Procedure Creation
Augie is a powerful tool for accelerating the transition from paper-based to digital operations in manufacturing and industrial settings.
Quickly generate standard work procedures from Excel, Word, PDFs, images, or videos. The Augie Content Assistant takes your existing content and generates digital smart forms, checklists, and digital work instructions. Augie can summarize the exchange of tribal knowledge via collaboration and convert these to scalable, curated digital assets that can be shared instantly across your organization.
Augie for Training Content
Augie, Augmentir’s GenAI assistant, makes it easier to convert paper-based information into tailored training content and quizzes for today’s less experienced frontline workforce. Augie automatically analyzes SOPs, work instructions, and other documents to create clear, simplified training modules. It generates interactive quizzes to reinforce key concepts and adapts learning materials to individual skill levels, ensuring workers engage with relevant content.
By streamlining this process, Augie reduces the effort and time required to create effective, hands-on training tools for workforce development.
Augie for Content Localization
Language translation and localization are crucial for ensuring work instructions and training materials are effective and accessible for frontline workers in manufacturing and any industrial setting. Providing materials in a worker’s native language increases comprehension, reduces errors, and enhances safety.
With Augie, content localization is easy. Augie’s content localization tools make work instructions and training materials more relatable and actionable. This investment fosters better workforce performance, inclusivity, and compliance with global standards.
The Next Phase of AI in Manufacturing is Here
Augie redefines the next phase of AI in manufacturing by seamlessly integrating generative AI into frontline operations to accelerate digitization, as well as enhance productivity and worker empowerment. Augie includes a complete suite of AI-powered assistants and AI services that help bridge the skills gap, accelerate onboarding, and ensure frontline workers are equipped with the knowledge they need to succeed.
The Augie Industrial Gen AI Suite transforms every stage of the Connected Worker Journey.
Augie transforms every stage of the connected worker journey by providing a complete suite of AI tools that evolves alongside an organization’s needs. It begins with the digitization of processes and the conversion of static, paper-based content into dynamic, interactive digital workflows, making operations more accessible and efficient for frontline workers. As operations become connected, Augie leverages real-time data to deliver actionable insights, enabling companies to identify inefficiencies, improve workflows, and drive continuous improvement.
Beyond operational enhancements, Augie fosters continuous innovation through its extensibility and seamless integrations with other enterprise systems, creating a unified, scalable ecosystem that adapts to new challenges and opportunities. By addressing every phase of the connected worker journey, Augie empowers organizations to not only modernize their operations but also build a foundation for long-term success and innovation.
Now is the time to embrace the future of manufacturing—don’t miss out on the opportunity to empower your workforce and elevate your operations with Augie. Take the first step toward a smarter, more efficient manufacturing environment today.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/augie-digitizing-frontline-work.webp12602400Russ Fadelhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngRuss Fadel2024-11-20 16:16:472025-11-27 02:49:47Solving the Single Largest Pain in Digitizing Frontline Work
Augmentir’s 6 Laws of AI Agents define the guardrails for safe, ethical, and accountable agents in manufacturing and industrial environments.
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As AI agents become more deeply embedded in business operations, they carry tremendous potential—but also significant responsibility. At Augmentir, we believe that trust, accountability, and safety must form the foundation of every AI deployment. That’s why we developed our 6 Laws of AI Agents: guiding principles that ensure AI systems operate transparently, responsibly, and safely in real-world environments. These laws are designed not only to safeguard organizations and individuals, but also to help businesses realize the true value of AI without compromising integrity or safety.
All agent activities must be observable. This includes what instructions were given, which tools were used, and what outcomes were produced. Transparency ensures traceability, making it clear how and why decisions were made.
✔Summary: AI must never be a “black box.” Clear visibility builds trust and accountability.
2. Clear Ownership
Every AI agent must have a clearly defined human or organizational owner responsible for its decisions and actions. This ownership must be explicitly documented to prevent ambiguity and ensure accountability at all times.
✔Summary: AI is powerful, but responsibility always rests with people, not machines.
3. AI Origin Disclosure
Whenever an agent provides an answer, recommendation, or decision, it must clearly state that it was generated by AI—and acknowledge that AI can make mistakes. This sets proper expectations and reinforces responsible use.
✔Summary: Clear disclosure prevents overreliance on AI and keeps human judgment central.
4. Persistent AI Disclosure
If an agent’s AI-generated recommendation or content is shared outside its native system (e.g., posted in Microsoft Teams or another platform), the AI origin and disclaimer must remain attached. Transparency should travel with the content wherever the information is shared.
✔Summary: AI-origin labels must stay attached, ensuring clarity across platforms.
5. Human-in-the-Loop for Impactful Actions
Any action that creates, modifies, or deletes a data item that could affect operational outcomes must require human review and approval before completion. For example, a safety report notes oil on a walkway. If an agent attempts to close the issue without cleanup, a human must approve before closure.
✔Summary: AI can recommend actions, but humans must approve decisions with real-world consequences.
6. No GenAI for Life-Critical Actions
Generative AI must not be used to perform actions that could physically harm a person, control equipment, or alter settings that impact human safety. These actions require deterministic, verifiable code and strict safety protocols.
✔Summary: AI can assist, but life-critical actions must always remain human-controlled.
Governing the Future of AI Responsibly
The 6 Laws of AI Agents provide a blueprint for deploying AI responsibly in the enterprise. By emphasizing transparency, ownership, disclosure, human oversight, and safety, organizations can embrace AI innovation without compromising trust.
At Augmentir, we believe AI should augment—not replace—human intelligence, and these laws ensure that principle is upheld.
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6-laws-of-ai-agents.webp6301200Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2025-10-01 13:35:102025-11-27 02:23:03The 6 Laws of AI Agents: Building Trust, Transparency, and Safety in AI
AI-powered technology may be the missing puzzle piece for today’s workforce crisis.
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AI-powered technology may be the missing puzzle piece for today’s workforce crisis in manufacturing.
Is it just us or does recruiting, training, and retaining top talent today feel a lot like searching for that one elusive puzzle piece? The seismic shift in the workforce is forcing us to get creative and be adaptable like never before. It’s a new generation and if we want to be competitive in hiring in this ultra-competitive environment, we need to re-access how we train, develop, and retain talent, embrace the variable nature of the labor market, and meet workers where they are.
We can no longer try to force-fit the old model of staffing and training into a space that looks drastically different. It’s not just about a labor shortage or the supply chain challenges created by the pandemic. Workers themselves are changing. What they want from work, and how they want to work.
The solution to this head-scratching puzzle? AI-based technology. Digital work instructions and individualized training and on-the-job training (OJT) can improve productivity, reliability, independence, and safety for every worker. It offers flexibility in scheduling for operations managers. It reduces downtime. All of which contribute to a more efficient – and profitable – operation.
Sound too good to be true? Brace yourselves. It’s not. Here are three ways that AI-powered technology can help.
1. Moving onboarding and training closer to the point of work
Imagine if we could train and develop someone in the context of doing their work, leading to increased engagement and allowing organizations to retain top talent. Furthermore, we could see an increase in productivity as they constantly evolve their learnings.
AI is allowing companies to understand a worker’s skillset and provides the ability for personalized digital work instructions to guide them in the context of work while they are doing their job, whether it’s a new worker or one with dozens of years of experience. With an AI-based onboarding approach, organizations are able to hire a wider range of individuals with varying skill sets and get those individuals productive faster.
2. Give support at the moment of need
Are you a people watcher? We are. Ever take notice of who is on the factory floor? Last time I checked, we got the “newbies” and “veterans”. The variability of the workforce, both skilled and young, proves that there’s not a one size fits all approach to troubleshooting and performance support.
Enter AI.
Give workers the support and guidance they need, at the moment of need, whether it’s immediate access to a digital troubleshooting guide, or connecting virtually with a subject matter expert. Delivering personalized work procedures for every worker allows for continuous learning and growth.
3. Improve engagement and retention
Workers that are connected and empowered with digital technology can discover and nurture diverse skills based on their unique competencies and experience. They can earn greater responsibility and independence. This increases confidence and job satisfaction. Which in turn can improve employee retention and slow the revolving door of continual recruiting and training.
The aftermath?
Workers are likely to stay and want to grow in the company when they feel included. Shortly, workers begin walking with poise and a “can-do” attitude to their next job task.
What else is possible with AI-powered connected worker technology?
AI-based technology is ideal for training workers in this variable environment. AI-based systems individualize information about workers based on previous training and data-driven performance insights and augments their capabilities. It offers step-by-step guidance at the moment of need for regularly scheduled maintenance as well as troubleshooting. It helps managers learn about workers’ existing skills and build a rationale for specific roles, resources, and certification support and then make clear recommendations based on demands.
Technology should fit into your business as simply as sliding that last puzzle piece into place. Workers are the heart of your business, and you should adapt technology to fit your business, not the other way around.
Technology should fit into your business as simply as sliding that last puzzle piece into place. That includes how you train your workers. But no two workers are exactly alike. Each will learn and approach problems differently. So why not use the technology that recognizes and adapts to those differences to your advantage?
https://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/3-ways-manufacturers-train-retain-develop-talent.jpg6301200Chris Kuntzhttps://www.augmentir.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Augmentir_Logo_Sm-300x169.pngChris Kuntz2022-05-05 13:50:482025-11-25 12:37:273 Ways Manufacturers are Using Technology to Train, Develop, and Retain Talent
