Technology is being infused in every area of modern life. As the years go by, we spend more and more of our waking moments every day interacting with technology. This has had numerous benefits, including increased convenience, productivity, and efficiency.
In business, technology has been helping companies across industries cut costs, improve productivity, gain an edge over competitors, and – overall – be more sustainable and raise the bottom line.
Technology is often associated with disruption. Failure to adopt technology can mean the end of a company. At the same time, adopting a technology too quickly and without proper prior research can mean wasted resources.
One of the most recent technologies in not only industries but also business services is the adoption of connected worker software and associated devices, which has been linked to a range of advantages, including better workplace safety management, improved productivity, and advanced optimization.
Connected Worker
Definition
At its most basic, this term denotes the use of technology at the workplace in routine activities. It’s an idea encompassing a world where frontline workers have devices such as smart glasses, smart watches, and other mobile devices when working.
These devices help in the continuous collection of data. For example, smart glasses can be used to film the field of view of a worker as they go about their activities. Depending on the device, other sensory inputs such as audio can also be collected. Location is another crucial piece of data collected by such devices.
This data is continuously sent to connected worker software, usually based in the cloud, where it is analyzed. The insights derived from such analysis have many uses, including optimization of processes.
The data is also used for monitoring purposes. For example, without going to the site, a supervisor or other senior worker can track work progress and determine whether instructions are being followed.
Such a system also comes in handy for communication. Through the generation of instant alerts, workers can be made aware of important information, including information about potential safety risks.
Necessity
Giving technology a more prominent role in the workplace in the manner described above comes with multiple benefits.
Already, closed-circuit television is popular among industrial floors. It helps with supervision and with coordination. However, it is limited. Unlike the data provided by smart devices such as wearables, the data provided by CCTV is general and usually covers a wide area. Moreover, CCTV doesn’t make for a good communication channel. Data is only sent one way and if a supervisor wanted to give feedback, they’d have to physically go to the location.
Having workers equipped with mobile devices can greatly complement CCTV.
Since the advent of smartphones, they have been used to aid workplace processes, for example through the capture of data. They have also been used for communication. However, since they are not made for the workplace, they do not have the right levels of efficiency. In addition, they can be a distraction, leading to reduced productivity and acting as deterrents to workplace safety.
Benefits
Using connected devices in the workplace can have many benefits.
For starters, it helps improve workplace safety management. For example, as soon as they report to their station, workers can go through a digital safety checklist before being allowed to start working. In addition, safety alerts can be quickly and reliably communicated through devices such as smart watches. If a safety hazard occurs at one point in a factory, within a minute, everyone in the factory could be made aware, which makes it that much easier for appropriate action to be taken.
In addition, the data collected by connected devices can be a great tool for optimization of workflows through the identification of areas in which improvements can be made. This can be done through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning models to analyze collected data.