5 Ways Digital Signage Can Drive Manufacturing Productivity
By
— September 6th, 2024
In manufacturing plants, it’s inevitable that machines sometime break down, but nothing wrecks factory floor efficiency, safety, and productivity, like broken and ineffective communications.
And yet, traditionally, manufacturing workers have been regarded as the most difficult to get information to because of the nature of their work. They’re not like office employees who sit at computers, or frontline workers who have mobile devices—many workers in manufacturing have neither email nor mobile phones at work.
But these days—as the best manufacturers know—there’s an incredibly powerful communication tool that solves these problems and is ideally suited for getting essential information to factory floor workers and keeping them informed. It’s called Digital Signage and, as this blog will show, it’s highly effective in so many ways, not least because the human brain processes visuals much faster than text. For example, MIT neuroscientists have found that our brains can identify images seen for as little as 13 milliseconds!
But the power of digital signage isn’t simply about the ability of people to process information quickly—although that undoubtedly helps. Dynamic digital displays, strategically placed across the production floor, have the power to transform productivity, enhance communication, and elevate safety protocols.
At Poppulo, we’re more aware than most about the terrific power of digital signage in manufacturing because we see it up close every day with the top-flight companies that use our platform, across a wide range of sectors, from aerospace to construction.
Here’s a couple of examples:
Improving Efficiency & Giving the Factory Floor a Voice at Northrop Grumman
So, let’s take a closer look at how digital signage can revolutionize manufacturing operations, improving productivity, one pixel at a time.
1. Real-time Productivity Updates
Instant Access to Information
Imagine a production line where workers no longer need to hunt down supervisors for updates. Digital signage provides real-time information on production targets, machine status, and inventory levels.
Whether it’s displaying the number of units produced today or the current order backlog, these screens empower employees with instant insights.
An instantaneous feedback loop can lead to better decision-making and quicker problem-solving, keeping the manufacturing line running smoothly. No more guessing games; just data-driven decisions.
Improved Visibility Across the Manufacturing Floor
The heart of any factory beats in sync with its machinery and in the usually vast expanse of a manufacturing floor, visibility matters. And nothing beats digital signage for high-impact visibility!
Screens strategically positioned near workstations allow everyone to see the big picture—even if they’re hundreds of yards from other colleagues. Whether it’s assembly workers or supervisors, everyone stays on the same page, reducing confusion and increasing the overall flow of information.
From production schedules to quality control metrics, these screens eliminate blind spots. When workers can look up and at a glance know what’s happening across the floor, it helps improve productivity.
Impact on Workforce Efficiency
When employees have real-time access to performance data, they can see how their efforts contribute to the company’s objectives, and by knowing exactly how much progress has been made or how much needs to be done, they can stay motivated and adjust their work pace accordingly. This level of transparency enhances workforce efficiency, minimizing idle time and ensuring resources are used optimally.
Driving Manufacturing Efficiencies with Improved Factory Floor Communications
2. Enhanced Communication: Unifying Messages Across the Facility
Unified Messaging for All Teams
Manufacturing facilities are like intricate ecosystems, with various teams working in harmony. Digital signage can broadcast consistent messages to all corners, whether it’s a safety reminder, a quality assurance update, or a shout-out to the night shift, everyone receives the same information. No more whispers lost in the machinery’s hum.
Overcoming Language Barriers
In multinational factories, language diversity can hinder effective communication. Enter digital signage with multilingual capabilities. A safety alert in English when many workers might have a better understanding of Spanish or French? That’s just poor communication.
Digital signage can be used to deliver content in the language or languages your workforce needs. In this way, screens can be used to bridge linguistic gaps, ensuring critical information reaches every worker, regardless of their native tongue.
3. Safety Messaging in the Manufacturing Environment
Complying with Health Regulations
Safety isn’t negotiable. Digital signage reinforces compliance with health and safety regulations. From reminders to wear protective gear to emergency evacuation routes, these screens keep safety top of mind. When a flashing sign warns of a hazardous area, workers pay attention. Lives are safeguarded, and productivity remains uninterrupted.
Enhancing Employee Awareness
Beyond rules, regulations, and emergency alerts, safety awareness matters in other ways. Digital displays can showcase count-up timers, showing the elapsed time since the last recordable incident. Applications like this keep safety top-of mind, providing a subtle nudge that prevents accidents and keeps the production floor humming smoothly.
4. Improved Communication Channels
Fostering Collaboration Among Staff
Digital signage isn’t a one-way street, with information just coming at employees.It invites interaction. Imagine a screen where employees post kudos for exceptional teamwork or share process improvement ideas. These displays become virtual bulletin boards, fostering collaboration. When workers feel heard, connected, and appreciated, productivity thrives.
Strengthening Company Culture
Culture isn’t built in boardrooms; it’s woven into and shaped by the everyday interactions of every workplace. Digital signage can be used to celebrate birthdays, milestones, and company achievements. It’s these types of things that bond teams together and strengthen culture.
These moments create a sense of belonging—a shared purpose that fuels productivity. Incidentally, the importance of that sense of belonging cannot be overstated: it’s the single most powerful influence on employee wellbeing, as this Poppulo guide revealed: Employee Wellbeing & Business Impact—Insights from the World’s Largest Study.
Training and Onboarding
Digital signage isn’t just for communication and engagement; it’s also a powerful tool for streamlining training and ensuring employees retain essential knowledge.
By showcasing training materials, schedules, and resources on digital screens, manufacturers can provide easy access to crucial information, reducing training time and boosting efficiency and therefore productivity.
Additionally, digital signage reinforces training messages, helping employees remember what they’ve learned. Displaying key points, reminders, and best practices on screens can solidify knowledge and enhance overall performance.
5. Targeted Content for Employee Engagement
Utilizing Performance Metrics
Numbers tell stories. They are also key to quickly analyzing production performance on a team and individual basis, which is where digital signage on a factory floor excels. Manufacturers can use digital screens to display individual or team performance metrics, keeping everyone motivated and focused on their goals.
By making this information public and workers seeing their impact quantified, they tend to strive for further improvement, pushing the needle toward productivity gains.
Recognizing Employee Achievements
The impact of recognition as a powerful motivator is often underrated, and digital signage provides an easy way to celebrate employee achievements. Whether it’s acknowledging outstanding performance, safety milestones, or years of service, public recognition fosters a positive work environment.
And it’s not just the person getting the shout out that feels good about it and appreciates the public recognition—when their colleagues see that the company cares and appreciates their efforts, it has a domino effect across the company.
That culture of recognition helps create higher morale, increased productivity and, ultimately, reduced employee turnover. Just how easy to reap high-value benefits from low-cost recognition is highlighted by Gallup: The Importance of Employee Recognition: Low Cost, High Impact.
Conclusion: The Future of Digital Signage in Manufacturing
The Future of Manufacturing Communications
Digital signage is more than just a communication tool; it’s a catalyst for productivity that enhances every facet of manufacturing. From delivering real-time updates and safety messages to fostering collaboration and engaging employees, its benefits are clear.
As technology advances, the role of digital signage in manufacturing will continue to grow, offering innovative ways to streamline operations and boost efficiency.
Incorporating digital signage into your manufacturing facility means investing in a more efficient, safer, and collaborative workplace, ultimately leading to improved productivity and growth.
The future of manufacturing is digital, and digital signage is at the forefront of this transformation. Poppulo continues to push the boundaries of digital signage. If you would like to find out more about how we can do for you what our digital signage does for many of the world’s most successful manufacturers, you can contact us here.
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