Digital Transformation and Remote Workplaces
Published on : Thursday 07-07-2022
The future of industries is very unpredictable which needs high flexibility and open-minded software centric industrial automation, says Soundharyaa Nandakumar.
Digital transformation is the process by which companies enhance their business models by driving in technologies across sectors for a substantial fundamental change. There exist many different approaches which lead to digital transformation and each company’s strategy towards their digital transformation destination is unique. For example, an organisation embeds new technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence) or Cloud Computing, etc., to enhance its customer satisfaction or it might also redesign its whole business models, supply chain to take leverage of machine learning. Universally blending into new digital transformation or transforming into digital transformation needs a new persona or new way of thinking which in turn gives a chance to reconceptualise and start afresh often from ground level.
There are two concepts which majorly shape the way of digital transformation:
1. Digitisation.
2. Digitalisation.
These two terms are constantly very confusing; nevertheless understanding both is very important to understand digital transformation as one complete phase. Digitisation is the process of evolution from analog information to digital data, because analog information can be converted or digitally processed, whereas digital data can be converted and processed easily which saves time. Digitalisation is more documentation and data collection which basically convert the existing business models to digital systems introducing the concept of automation for accuracy and efficiency. The digital transformation of the factory and supply chain in the phase of operations and processes relies totally on digitisation of considerate selection of machines and digitalisation of their business models. It is strongly believed that the key to digital transformation is giving the organisation the potential to act in no time in the phase of changing market conditions and customer demands.
Smart factory – Digitised manufacturing
A smart factory is a digitised manufacturing facility that uses connected devices, machinery and production systems to continuously collect and share data. This data is then used to make decisions to improve processes as well as address any issues that may arise.
Factories using smart manufacturing practices are known as smart factories, converted with the help of technologies like Cloud Computing, AI, Big Data analytics and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). These digitised manufacturing activities are a combination of both digital and physical world to monitor the whole production process with the help of automatisation and what is seen in present times is what is happening from the ground level of workers to supply chain management. These days, Manufacturers and Distributors wish to substantially increase their efficiency, productivity and accuracy through smart technologies, data analytics and connected services. The progression from manual operations to automated process has enhanced the performance monitoring, decision making, reduced rework, machine downtime, and any other bottlenecks, which in return results in improved customer satisfaction and profitability. Universally manufacturers have a natural pre-deposition towards technology associated with smart factory implementation. But it is not as easy and successful as it seems, because there are some fundamental work problems where how work gets done and who does the work is the thing which has to be sorted out.
With this is the one side, on the other hand both the process of manufacturing and technology have started to grow together at a very fast rate. With the after effects of ever increasing customer demands and external pressures like the global pandemic, manufacturers have no choice, but to rapidly adopt to digital era to survive and compete, because becoming digital is not an option anymore – it has become a statement of lifestyle and work culture as it helps the manufacturers to react to demand change faster, improve operational performance, etc.
The core of the general manufacturing process itself will improve smart factory transformation by leveraging the machine and processing data. This sets forth the optimal set points for specific operation, improving cycle time and ensuring the products are of high quality. All these qualities reminisce of the other benefits of smart factory:
1. Cost saving and environmental benefits – smart factories reduce energy costs through real time adjustments of machine and system based on occupancy, which also reduce carbon footprints in the process
2. Risk mitigation – since everything is automated, monitoring and remote-control capabilities of smart factories drive higher authorities’ attention to find and solve problems easier.
3. Safer occupant experience – smart factories are functioning with the help of sensors which is indeed is connected to the system, which means you are always monitored and watched which gives the workers safer better protected place to live and work, but though it is more of an advantage, lot of sensor alert is sometimes annoying in many areas.
Remote workplace – Getting it done in time more easily
At the very beginning of pandemic, when workers started to work remotely, everybody thought it was a short-term solution, but fast forward almost 3 years, people are very much adapted to remote working condition all over the world and have traded from formals to trousers with a hot afternoon lunch and leisure playtime with their loved ones. According to a Gallup survey, 54% of US workers said they are not concerned about remote work damaging their company culture. In reality, already 12% people believe this remote work (WFH) has improved their company culture, as it relieves their travelling stress and time.
Digital transformation helps to create productive work environment in three pivotal ways:
1. Cloud based communication and collaboration tools
2. AI based employee support tools
3. Automation allows employees to focus on strategic ways.
Workers are counting on their employers to build a professional working environment with sufficient tools to work effectively and efficiently, which means investing in digital technologies. The aim of these digital technologies is to help remote working employees to communicate, collaborate and seamlessly with their other colleagues both in real time and also asynchronously. Nevertheless it does not look easy as it is, as remote workers (WFH) cannot get services like HR and IT. It is not often that employees meet the HR straight in their office down the stairs or call another colleague for help. Through digital transformation, companies can build the capabilities to enable the most flexibility while reducing security risks. Specifically, companies can invest in tools that automatically flag suspicious emails, add multi factor authentication and encryption to any device, and keep all confidential information accessible only via virtual private networks.
Also employees often spend a lot of time on manual, repetitive workflows that could be automated. While remote work isn’t a necessary precursor to achieving automation, it certainly is a driving force. Companies can automate many of their routine workflows, including those centred on analytics and reporting, project management, and employee services. These technology solutions can automatically store, manage, and integrate all of the data necessary to power these diverse functions.
According to recent Cognizant report, remote collaboration tools (such as Cognizant Communication Service on Cloud) help organisations:
a. Enable effective communication and seamless collaboration among remote employees, partners and customers
b. Easily share content among users and within teams and invite external users for cross-organisational collaboration
c. Implement business messaging, calling, video meetings, and virtual trainings and events – with the most comprehensive tools covering greenfield deployment, existing platform migration and managed services in an as-a-service model.
As of my instinct, the future of industries is very unpredictable which needs high flexibility and open-minded software centric industrial automation, which leads to smarter and more sustainable manufacturing and working, which is very much in our hands.
For example, Schneider Electric India has already launched its first smart factory in India in Hyderabad in early 2019, which has recently been recognised as an Advanced Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum. With the inauguration of the Bengaluru Smart Factory, Schneider Electric further strengthened its contribution to the Industry 4.0 agenda in India by providing customers with a showcase of the benefits of industrial digital transformation, including enhanced performance, increased reliability and safety, and remote monitoring and preventive maintenance.
Soundharyaa Nandakumar has done her Masters in Mechatronics and Cyber-Physical System in Germany and presently working as a Test Engineer, testing Vehicle Electronic Control Units in Connected Drive department. Her previous work experience as an automobile technician has given her a good understanding of how beautiful the car/vehicle is with intricate designs and unbelievable technologies inside. This craze and passion for cars made the decision for her to pursue a career in Automotive Technology.
In her own words, “I always compare cars to women, because we never know what is inside them, how mysterious they are with n number of technologies evolving around every day making them futuristic statements – just like women – undergoing many things in a day to be strong enough to conquer the world.”
