Digital Work Instructions Are Integral To The Shop Floor Of A Smart Factory
If the MES is the central nervous system of a smart factory, digital work instructions (or smart work instructions) are the heart and muscle, distributing the latest instructions to the shop floor workers. The more workers you have, the more valuable digitized work instructions are, but even a single line in the factory benefits from delivering accurate instructions to every workstation exactly when needed every time.
What Are Digital Work Instructions?
Digital work instructions software is the paperless solution to guiding operators through their workflows on the shop floor. By replacing paper instructions with digital instructions, manufacturers streamline deployment to minimize downtime, improve quality and compliance, accelerate throughput, and make more money.
Monitor and Enforce Production Processes with Digital Work Instructions
Work instructions can include any supporting documentation to improve training, work speed, and accuracy.
Work instructions can easily be tailored to each worker’s task and skill level. With a couple of clicks, you can add any supporting documentation needed such as illustrations, 3D models, animations, videos, and more.
Smart work instructions ensure compliance at every step with built-in verification, data collection, and signature prompts.
Accelerate Deployment – Improve Accuracy
Speed-up deployments and change orders while at the same time improving accuracy. Workers get exactly the instructions they need, accurate and up to date. Instructions are easily accessed by specialized workstations, or through smart tablets and phones.
Manage Variations
Create and manage different variations of work instructions with ease. Instructions are customizable for different lines/workstations, work shifts, variable product features, or parts availability.
Because it’s all digitized, changes can be made and implemented quickly. Authorized users can configure workflows and distribute them in realtime. The system manages version control, so a record of all instructions is always available.
Gain Visibility
Data gathered by Digital Work Instructions can be turned into real-time reports for improved decision-making. You can see work orders completed by day, cycle times, work shift productivity, or any other variable you designate.
Am I having a good day? This is one of the hardest questions to answer in manufacturing. Learn how digital reports can give you the answer.
Expand Your Vision
Digital Work Instructions can be integrated with other corporate systems like Digital Planning, ERP, and PLM to provide a more complete view of your manufacturing operations.
Benefits of Digital Work Instructions in an MES
Fewer Mistakes
Collaboration
Increased Productivity
Scaled to Your Needs
Built-in Compliance Management
Tracking & Performance
Faster Shop Floor Response
Consistent Production and Quality
Better Security
Planning Your Path To Profitability
iBase-t works with manufacturers of all sizes to identify the areas that are most in need of improvement. Then we help implement MES, Digital Work Instructions, and other applications in a phased approach that adds value and profitability at every stage.
With these applications now available via the cloud, they are practical and profitable even for medium and smaller sized companies.
In the end, you are talking about operational change management. You need end-user involvement – those who are doing the work to be involved in the process – in order to have any lasting success.
Scott Baril
Chief Customer Officer, iBase-t
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