Transitioning from paper manuals to digital work instructions might not seem like a big deal, but this is an important step into the future of manufacturing. Digital work instructions aren’t just about showing someone a list of work steps in a fancy new format. It allows for real-time instruction, collaboration, and quicker learning than traditional methods. It also allows operations leaders to collect more data about what’s happening in their facilities and where they might need more or less labor. We’re interested in these solutions because at Veryable, we created the on-demand labor marketplace for manufacturing and logistics businesses as the first step toward the future of manufacturing.It all starts with labor. We wrote this article because real-time digital work instructions are a step in the right direction for enabling the workforce of tomorrow.
In this article, you will learn about digital work instructions and the best solutions available for manufacturing and logistics companies to standardize and digitize their work.
Digital work instructions, also known as smart work instructions, are a digitized version of the standard operating procedures that many supervisors are familiar with. Digital work instruction solutions often include interactive checklists, video examples of each task to be completed, and reporting tools. Some solutions include augmented reality training in real time. Reporting is often included in digital work instruction solutions, allowing you to measure the performance of workers as they go down the checklist. Solutions often include a way for workers to request help or notify supervisors, giving operations leaders better visibility into what’s happening by connecting every worker. Capturing tribal knowledge, standardizing it, and distributing it becomes much more efficient with digital solutions.
There are two main types of digital work instruction: augmented reality (AR) work instructions and “flat” work instructions. The difference between the two is that flat digital work instructions are presented within the confines of a screen, whereas AR solutions overlay the real world with digital work instructions. Flat digital work solutions are not as costly as AR solutions, but also do not boast the same levels of improvement in knowledge uptake and ease of use. Because AR work instructions can be used hands-free, they let the operator maintain their full range of motion and mobility while working. AR is a truly real-time solution for guided work, but might take time to implement because many companies can’t afford the hardware required for these solutions yet. No matter which type of digital work instructions you use, they do offer massive improvements over static work instructions like paper manuals. In one case, technicians using augmented reality work instructions had 36% less errors than with other training methods.
The following tools use augmented reality to guide workers through their work. We will show each solution’s features, price (where available), and connectivity so that you can decide which would work best for your company.
The following tools are displayed "flat" on a digital screen to guide workers through their work. We will show each solution’s features, price (where available), and connectivity so that you can decide which would work best for your company.
Digital transformation in manufacturing is not an overnight project. There are so many machines and processes to digitize that tackling the issue can seem daunting. However, when you cut through the noise and focus on where you’re seeing the most issues, it’s likely you’ll identify labor as your main constraint.
Because labor creates the flow of value through your operation, everything starts with labor. There are no operational improvements that will not also require making improvements to the arrangement and quality of labor.
When you get the right workers in the right place equipped with the right tools, you have a recipe for success. And it’s much quicker and easier to get the right workers into the right place when their tasks are clearly defined and the barrier to entry is lowered.
That’s why labor solutions like Veryable’s on-demand labor marketplace are the first steps in your digital transformation. Flexible labor will pave the way for an asset-light, localized, customer-centric supply chain that can only function properly with ample flexibility for real-time response to demand.
Learn how to start your digital transformation journey with on-demand labor by reading our blog defining on-demand labor and its immediate applications.
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