Digital solutions which facilitate the smoother functioning of systems and processes are fast becoming normative in the manufacturing world. Research by Capgemini found that one-third of factories had already been transformed into ‘smart facilities’ by 2020, with a surge of at least 40% of such facilities predicted by 2025.
Smart factory. Photo: Art Stock Creative / Shutterstock
Image: Art Stock Creative / Shutterstock
Mobile solutions are a smart way of ensuring that manufacturing inputs and outputs can be achieved more efficiently and intelligently in terms of resources, be they assets, labour or capital. This article will provide a brief overview of five different types of mobile solutions available to management in manufacturing plants, whether in terms of improved safety or productivity or a combination of both.
Solution #1: Mobile LOTO
What it does: Traditionally, lockout and tagout (LOTO) procedures have used physical padlocks and tags at power sources to ensure that energy supplies to machinery have been switched off during the repair, maintenance and inspection thereof. Mobile solutions for LOTO allow an authorised worker using their smartphone or tablet to access the LOTO procedure required by either entering the machine’s identification number or by scanning a barcode or QR code on the control panel. This can be especially helpful when trying to access machinery in hazardous areas or confined spaces. It also more clearly assigns accountability to exactly who is doing what lockout procedure at what precise time.
What it accomplishes in terms of safety: Mobile solutions facilitate two of the trickiest aspects of LOTO procedures:
- accessibility to the relevant step-by-step LOTO procedure
- proper accountability per individual LOTO event
Solution #2: Mobile Safety Inspections
What it does: Inspection information in either paper format or on a laptop can be clumsy to carry around during an inspection. Having access to inspection data is far more ergonomically comfortable via mobile software on a tablet or smartphone, when so possible. Access to information regarding specific machinery or processes is also more easily accessed via handheld devices. Ideally, this access should also be available to third-party inspectors and systems auditors on your premises.
What it accomplishes in terms of safety: Greater physical mobility during an inspection process means that an inspector can be more aware of physical hazards around them during the inspection process.
Bryan Christensen, CEO, Limble
The author, Bryan Christiansen, is the founder and CEO of Limble CMMS.
Solution #3: Mobile Lean Manufacturing
What it does: Lean manufacturing seeks to optimise efficiencies throughout all processes and among all workers. Minimising waste (read: inefficiencies) is the cornerstone of lean manufacturing, and so providing management and workers with access to all necessary information via mobile applications is a logical solution. Real-time access to data, ranging from procedures to project and time management tools, means well-informed choices can be made within given scopes of work. Mobile apps can be used by line managers to track operator efficiency, as well as enable operators to track their granular time-on-task rates.
What it accomplishes in terms of productivity: Loss of time and inability to access needed real-time information are two of the biggest obstacles to productivity in any manufacturing facility. Mobile solutions ensure that both factors are significantly improved.
Solution #4: Mobile Asset Tracking and Identification
What it does: Asset and material tracking or traceability is one of the biggest time-consuming and cost-draining exercises for any plant. Digital solutions via a mobile app can ensure the automatic real-time tracking of machinery, equipment, parts or any other inputs at all phases of the manufacturing processes. A simple scan of a barcode, QR code or RFID tag can immediately reference or confirm a given asset within the company’s digital asset management system. ‘Asset leakages’ are far more easily detected and the overall on-the-go management of all assets is better controlled with mobile solutions.
What it accomplishes in terms of productivity: Mobile solutions result in far more effective and in loco inventory control, theft reduction and improved utilisation of assets. All of these equate to financial savings and greater efficiency for a manufacturing outfit.
Solution #5: Mobile CMMS For Maintenance
What it does: Maintenance can be costly for a manufacturing facility, often resulting in downtime and lost revenue. Access to maintenance data is greatly enhanced if done via mobile-enabled maintenance software, especially if incorporated into the daily workflow of a given process. Mobile automation of the maintenance process will ensure speedier communication between those conducting maintenance. Automation equals improved organisation, which means that maintenance planners and technicians will be less bogged down by administrative tasks. Readily accessible maintenance procedures at a technician’s fingertips mean maintenance work will be undertaken in a safer and faster way.
What it accomplishes in terms of productivity and safety: A mobile CMMS bolsters productivity by ensuring improved communication and more time-efficient work. It also enhances the safety profile of maintenance work done.
Final thoughts
Manufacturing plants are becoming smarter. The competition, whether global or local, is as fierce as ever for most manufacturing companies. The ‘new normal’ brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic demands solutions that enable more intelligent and leaner manufacturing. Mobile solutions are an excellent means of achieving that.
- The author, Bryan Christiansen is the founder and CEO of Limble CMMS. Limble is a modern, easy to use mobile CMMS software that takes the stress and chaos out of maintenance by helping managers organize, automate, and streamline their maintenance operations.
Back to Homepage
Back to Technology & Innovation