COVID-19, Manufacturing Skills Gap and the Connected Worker

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StrategyDriven StrategyDriven Editorial Perspective Article |Connected Worker|COVID-19, Manufacturing Skills Gap and the Connected WorkerBy 2050, the world population is estimated to grow from 7.6 billion to 9.6 billion. This growing population will boost consumer demand across all industries. From construction, to food & beverage, to life sciences, oil & gas, and many more industries. This growing demand means that we expect to see investments into production and manufacturing facilities, creation of many new jobs and a positive impact to the economy. Ultimately this positive impact will lead to hiring of many new front-line workers to support these operations.

These new opportunities create new sets of challenges in the COVID-19 Era. In this blog, I will highlight four challenges that business operations will face to keep their operations running.

  • Digital Natives – The New “Front-Line” Worker – While the above growth in population is the good news, the bad news is that many of these new front-line workers are born digital natives. They expect everything digital in their life and we expect to see a talent war with these new front-line workers having a choice in where they choose to work. The new front-line workers will be expected to perform highly complex jobs and processes with minimal human interactions in the COVID-19 Era. Big, fat binders, walkie-talkies and pages of work instructions will no longer even be an option. Availability of experts to hand-hold these front-line workers is also rapidly diminishing and with COVID-19, it even makes things harder to keep machines running and spare parts available at the right time and at the right place.
  • Disappearance of Tribal Knowledge – The tribal knowledge that exists with your expert front-line workers is expected to disappear in relatively short time. The average age of front-line workers is at 44.1 years and it’s estimated that these workers will soon start to leave the workplace, creating a huge skills gap and tribal knowledge disappearance. This aging workforce, coupled with a tight labor market, has resulted in critical skills and talent gaps impacting the ability of asset-intensive industries to recruit, train and retain a workforce with suitable competencies. The Manufacturing Institute estimates that because of the skills gap 2.4 million job openings in manufacturing will likely go unfilled through 2028, representing half of all open positions.
  • Shrinking Profit Margins – The growing pressure on profit margins and talent challenges is felt across all asset-intensive industries, such as CPG, Life Sciences, Oil & Gas, Utilities, Mining & Metals, Chemicals, and Industrial Manufacturing. This pressure doesn’t just stem from the rising cost of people; these industries are facing increasing demand from customers to deliver higher value for a lower cost.
  • Worker Safety – During the COVID-19 crisis, we have seen many business operations grind to a complete standstill, impacting production and revenue streams. New safety procedures, risk assessments and contact tracking will become an integral part of running an operation without interruption. Practicing “Social Distancing” requires context of worker health and their location within a plant or a site. The old ways of working and implementing standard operating procedures on paper will not work in the COVID-19 Era.

Recently Forbes wrote an article asking, “Is now the moment for the connected worker platform?” It’s very critical for companies to start thinking about a “Connected Worker” strategy in the COVID-19 era. Companies need to start thinking of how digital transformation can help them combat these macro trends and challenges. Simply delivering a mobile app for your front-line worker is not the right solution.

You need to be thinking of a connected worker strategy that puts your front-line worker at the center of all your disparate systems and they are converted into a “Connected Worker.” The definition of a “Connected Worker” is to converge different technology trends such as Cloud, mobile, web, chat, social, wearables, AI/ML, and more to change the entire working life of your front-line worker. As a simple example, it’s important that you not only think of enabling your front-line workers with important ERP operational data, but also empower them with step-by-step guided work instructions that help them get the job done faster, better, cheaper and safer.

You also need to be thinking about the growing population from 7.6B to 9.6B and the consumer demand. If you are not already thinking about bridging the skills gap between a new front-line worker and an experienced front-line worker, you may soon end up in an operational crisis that may impact your production and revenue streams.

Best-in-class Connected Worker Platforms will offer you the technology for experts to guide new front-line workers remotely. We expect to see a trend where more and more expert workers will be used to help four to five new front-line workers from the comfort of their homes. Remote guided assistance and over the shoulder coaching with smart glasses and a two-way video conferencing experience will not just be a “cool technology,” but will be a necessity in the next two to five years.

Connected Worker Platforms appeal to younger front-line workers, who are “digital natives” and comfortable with mobile technology. Such platforms also help industrial plants successfully solve shrinking profit margin challenges, skills gaps, tribal knowledge loss and worker safety issues. For these reasons, a Connected Worker Platform will soon be a necessity for manufacturing and industrial facilities.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Sundeep RavandeSundeep Ravande is the CEO of Innovapptive Inc. and believes in a better way of running plant based operations. In most enterprises, operations are a set of tedious linear steps – slow, inaccurate and highly inefficient. Sundeep believes in a world where field work can be done faster, cheaper and safer. He envisions Innovapptive to be at the center of all plant-based conversations between humans, machines and workflows. By digitally and autonomously connecting humans, machines, and workflows in the 21st Century Economy, Sundeep aims to create a “Connected Workforce” experience for 11 million field workers across the globe. Prior to co-founding Innovapptive Inc, Sundeep worked with several Big 5 consulting firms, such as IBM & Accenture, serving several Fortune 500 clients such as Verizon, Shell, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Coca-Cola and FMC Corporation to help them re-invent and re-imagine their business operations with digital technologies.

Not Infected But Certainly Affected

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StrategyDriven StrategyDriven Editorial Perspective Article |Coronavirus|Not Infected But Certainly AffectedEvery time there is an event that captures the attention of practically everyone, I try to look around and consider things. The many people infected with the virus are focused on their health, getting well and keeping their families safe. During any normal flu season, the rest of us would be going about our business and living our lives as usual. This year things are quite different. The virus we are experiencing now has affected all of us.

Even though you may feel physically fine, you are living a very different life. The way we do things and speak has changed dramatically. The word social is taking on a new role in our modern language. Social media is our connection to the rest of the world outside of our homes. Social distancing dictates how we interact with each other in person if you are lucky enough to go out. Social gatherings are a distant memory. We are now more aware of everything and everyone we touch.

Did you ever think it would be more offensive to shake someone’s hand then to back away from them in horror? It felt strange at first but now that everyone is doing it, it feels normal. Forget about a hug, if you try that you’ll get the same reaction as if you pulled a knife.

Working from home is a new concept for most people. Working in instead of working out at the gym to stay in shape. Even TV personalities are broadcasting from home. We are all becoming internet personalities. Posting our new pastimes on social media to entertain others who have become bored due to their isolation. I saw someone hold up a sign that said, Will work for toilet tissue! Those of us in essential services are still working, but things are very different. No more rush hour, it feels like we are rushing through all of them.

At times of crisis you will also see something you don’t always notice. The unlikely heroes who show up to help those who really need it. Even though we are experiencing an economical effect, we have for the most part put the basic need for our health ahead of everything else. Just when you thought the world was becoming more cynical and people more self-absorbed, we show a different side of ourselves. I have never felt so much satisfaction delivering toilet tissue to someone. People are so grateful for the little things. Things they took for granted are more appreciated. We thank those who deliver essentials for us and those who are working hard in the medical field to save lives.

Maybe the loss of human interaction will make us appreciate it much more now. Perhaps the human experience will take the place of material things. We spent so much time wishing our lives away. How many times have you said I need a vacation or I can’t wait to get away? We don’t often stop to enjoy where we are and who we are with. Now we are so thankful just to be healthy. Your car, your clothes and all your possessions cannot make you happy. Happiness is inside of you, you just need to bring it to the surface. Be happy you are alive and healthy, there are so many who are not. Doing something for someone else is the most fulfilling thing. Even if all you can do is cheer someone up, you are spreading hope and making their day a little better.

When you focus on the little things they add up to big things. Making the best of each day can lead to the best life. Treat negativity like the virus. If someone is full of negative energy and is trying to bring other people down, avoid them. I highly recommend social distancing in those cases. They are highly toxic and contagious and you need to make sure you don’t catch it. No matter how bad things are for you remember that there are others who are worse off. Try to make someone feel better about themselves not worse about you. You really want to spread something, spread cheer. Find something positive and build on it. Today’s hope makes tomorrow a success. We just may build some new relationships and have something good come out of this. Let the effect of the infection make us better people, the kind of people you wouldn’t mind being quarantined with.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Glenn GreeleyGlenn Greeley is founder of CGI Commercial Cleaning Group headquartered on Long Island, New York. For more information visit www.cleaninggroupinc.com, call 631-669-6033, or email [email protected].

The Evolution of Computers

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StrategyDriven Editorial Perspective Article | The Evolution of ComputersComputers have come a long way from the first models unveiled in 1940. Through the decades, thanks to improved engineering as well as advancements in separate computer parts, modern computers accomplish tasks that were mere science fiction five decades ago. Here is a brief look at how computers evolved.

The Beginning

Modern machines have lightning-fast components thanks to innovations such as silicon wafer dicing. Several generations back, however, computers looked and worked much differently. Far from the lightweight laptop you use today, first generation computers used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums to store information. John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly invented the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, or ENIAC, and the first model weighed 30 tons and took up about 1800 square feet.

The ENIAC required a team of technicians to maintain it around the clock. Reprogramming it took weeks. These first computers were costly to build, and they generated a great deal of heat. They also used up a lot of electricity.

The Second Wave

By 1956, engineers developed computers that used transistors, which transformed them into more manageable machines that were smaller, lighter, and less expensive to build. These computers were more efficient to run than first-generation models, although they still generated self-damaging heat. Symbolic language came into use with this generation. The first types of programming languages were COBOL and FORTRAN.

The Third Generation

By 1964, computers began to look more like machines modern people know. Integrated circuits were the stars of the new semiconductor technology. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, making the machines lightweight as well as faster. Keyboards and monitors took the place of punch cards and calculation printouts. Numerous applications could run on a single machine. The price also went down so more people could buy computers.

The Revolution

Microprocessors were developed in 1971, ushering in the fourth generation of computers. We are still in this generation, though changes have come quickly in the last four decades. The Intel 4004 chip was the first microprocessor, allowing thousands of integrated circuits to fit onto one silicon chip. The industry never looked back.

In 1981, IBM introduced the first personal computer. Three years later, Apple unveiled the Macintosh. Computer networks developed, and Tim Berners-Lee is credited as the inventor of the World Wide Web and the necessary protocols and programming language, paving the way for the internet. Vincent Cerf also worked to develop the language and structure of what would become the information superhighway we know today.

The evolution of the computer is a fascinating journey. Looking at the earliest incarnations of this ubiquitous machine reminds us that everything began at some point, and development continued due to curiosity that drove innovation. The next time you grab your laptop to send an email, take a moment to remember those pioneers who started the digital age.

Pultrusions Explained – Their Benefits And More

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Pultrusion products are used for a huge number of different applications. This includes everything from sports goods and rail transport to motor vehicles and wind turbine blades. The pultrusion process leads to materials that are of exceptional quality. From incredible strength to low weight, the benefits are truly extensive. Keeping that in mind, in this post you will discover everything you need to know about pultrusions, including the pultrusion process and the many advantages associated with them. So, continue reading to discover more…

Let’s begin by explaining the pultrusion process in basic details. It all starts with the insertion of glass fibre reinforcements. After this, glass fibre strands and mats are coated with polyester resin. The mats and glass fibre strands are then guided through feeder plates. This is to ensure they are positioned correctly within the mould; otherwise, it would be difficult to guarantee a proper glass coating. After this, the resin, mats and fibers will be pulled through a mould that is heated. Two pulling devices are used, pulling and grabbing the profile alternatively. The process is then finished with a saw cutting the profile at the length that is required. Of course, there will be slight divergences in the production process, yet this is a general outline of what occurs.

So now you know the process that occurs in order to create pultrusion products, such as pultruded carbon fiber tubes and boxes, but where does all the hype come from? Well, the pultrusion process results in a material that has exceptional characteristics. One of the main reasons why this material is used in so many applications is because it is low in weight but boasts incredible strength at the same time. In terms of weight, pultrusions weigh up to 30 per cent less than aluminium and up to 80 per cent less than steel. This presents obvious benefits, as it is easier to use and transport. Nonetheless, the lower weight does not lead to any compromises in terms of quality. Exceptional strength is guaranteed. Pultrusion products are much stronger than steel when compared on a weight for weight basis.

The beneficial characteristics do not end there for businesses. Pultrusions boast a low thermal conductivity, which makes them highly effective as a thermal break. They also have a high level of corrosion resistance when they are subject to various corrosive environments and chemicals. Pultrusion products can also be perfect for electrical insulating applications, as they are electrically non-conductive. If that wasn’t enough, pultrusions are virtually maintenance-free because of their exceptional corrosive properties. You will really struggle to find another material that boasts the level of quality that pultrusion products do.

To conclude, hopefully, you now have a much better understanding regarding pultrusion products – you know how they are created and the many different benefits that are associated with them. When you consider the type of applications that pultrusions are used for, you recognise why such an exceptional material is needed, and now it really is not difficult to see how pultrusion products tick all of the boxes.

Taking a Look at the Future of Oil and Gas Industry

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StrategyDriven Editorial Perspective Article |future of oil and gas industry | Taking a Look at the Future of Oil and Gas IndustryWhat is to come in the future of oil and gas industry? It appears gloomy, as it faces stiff competition and opposition.

Environmental concerns amass and foretell the demise of the fossil giant. Activists and politicians demand the modernization of energy production, supply, and consumption.

Sustainability is the new business benchmark. The clear focus is on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and tackling climate change.

In the meantime, alternative sources of energy, such as solar and wind, are surging. In the US, they grew at a rate of 100 percent from 2000 to 2018. Figures there and elsewhere suggest they are the fastest-growing energy option on the globe.

But, the oil and gas sector has a few aces up its sleeve. Digital transformation is one of those trends giving the veteran a new lease of life.

The Green Revolution

Renewable technology is gaining ground left and right.

Public support and private funding are on the path of steady rise. Sustainable technology is getting cheaper as time rolls by. In a few years’ time, it may be on equal footing with gas in terms of competitiveness.

Thus, it’s safe to say disruption is real. In fact, it has already started to reshape the energy landscape.

Optimists argue the trajectory is set: a greener world.

There’s no going back.

However, the road to there will be thorny and there are two main reasons behind this. Renewable energy still isn’t readily available in abundance. It’s also not as scalable as fossil fuels.

This is to say it can’t supplement the energy needs of the world in the near future. For instance, it’s hard to imagine a viable alternative to fossil-fuel-based transportation right now. They will continue to propel global travel and commerce.

Notice that many world nations are heavily dependent on oil revenue as well.

Still Keeping the Lights On

The industry will harness the power of growth catalysts to stay ahead of the curve.

First of all, there are still untapped and undiscovered reserves out there. Developing economies are yet to reach their full appetite for fossil fuels. Rapidly-growing Asian economies need them to support their population and production boom.

Taking this into account, the energy consumption patterns will shift slowly and demand will fall gradually. We’re probably talking about a decline of several percentages in a matter of two decades.

What is more, the adoption of new technologies will facilitate oil and gas operations. They will make exploration, drilling, and other processes quicker and way more efficient. Even offshore drilling hasn’t delivered on its potential yet.

Technology also gives the oil and gas industry a chance to wash its face. It could contribute to climate change goals or at least stop acting as a green boogeyman. For this to happen, we’ll have to see more decisive emission-reduction plans.

The goal is to reduce the emissions by at least 3.4 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent and to it by 2050. This is a vital aspiration, but it doesn’t change one fact. The more distant future probably belongs to clean forms of energy.

The New Fossil Order Rises

As we’ve indicated, fossil fuel demand is showing no signs of slowing down.

The real problem is on the other side of the spectrum— supply. Experts predict there will be a severe supply gap in the future. It will be the result of the depletion of existing (known) fields and production.

Of course, it should be said the countries of the world won’t just sit idle. Despite major turbulences (like the one of 2014), OPEC has successfully managed the supply/demand in the past. The organization kept the prices from fluctuating too wildly.

The US is poised to chip away at the influence of these old fossil fuel goliaths. This is largely thanks to its tech-driven “Shale Revolution”, which brought forth a production burst. The geopolitics of fossil oil will look much different.

In other words, fossil fuel-funded countries will lose much of their leverage.

The US also established itself as a major exporter and a leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG). This form of gas is 600 times smaller than the natural gas in its original (gaseous) form. Hence, LNG is bound to revolutionize fuel shipping and storage.

These exciting changes bring us to the next key point.

The Bleeding Edge

We should never underestimate the potential for technological innovation.

Industry leaders will make sure to champion digital transformation and increase upstream capital investments. They will embrace cutting-edge digital platforms and cloud-connected tools. Adoption will take operational efficiency to the next level and across the entire lifecycle.

Companies will have to become more agile, automated, and data-driven in order to survive. Machines will take over many repetitive, tedious, and dangerous tasks. They will render manual processes a relic of the past.

Big data, for example, should work wonders for risk monitoring and prediction. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and drones will enable remote monitoring of operations. Control of work will optimize management systems and help organizations overcome operational hiccups.

To find out more about this practice promoting safety and mitigating hazards, read on here.

All in all, expect to see software platforms and industrial robots to proliferate. These are the harbingers of the new dawn for the fossil fuel sector. Hopefully, they will make production safer and environmentally-friendly too.
Investors will certainly look to this frontier of innovation to find companies with profit potential. “Business as usual” can’t continue, not with the risks and uncertainties lurking around.

The Future of Oil and Gas Industry is Now

Fossil industries aren’t going to go down, at least not without a fight.

They span the globe and power the modern infrastructure of travel and commerce. The growing popularity of renewable sources is going to take a while to yield radical change.

Besides, there are ways to make oil and gas businesses future-proof. Namely, the word of tomorrow will be digital-first and automated. Countries like the US will spearhead the new wave of technological advancement.

Changes will revamp everything from exploration to filed abandonment Brands will have to become more operationally intelligent or risk going under. They will have to learn to swim in restless water of shifting supply and demand patterns.

So, we can conclude that the near future of oil and gas industry is fairly bright. It’s the long-term horizon that looks a bit bleak.

Check out our treasury of insights to educate yourself some more. Stay in-the-know!