Gartner: Gartner: human-centric strategy is key to operating the "connected factory"

The "connected factory" offers potential for big gains from automation and digitalization, but research from Gartner shows that a human-centric strategy is key to gaining the best return on investment (ROI) from that approach.According to Gartner, connected factory workers use digital tools and data management techniques to improve how work is done in factories. That access to new knowledge and technology reduces variability, decentralizes decisions, and proliferates knowledge. But Gartner research emphasizes the role of the connected factory worker in the advancement of an overall smart manufacturing strategy."The connected factory worker can serve as a strategic pillar in supporting an organization's aim of localizing manufacturing and expanding capacity," Simon Jacobson, Vice President Analyst in Gartner's Supply Chain practice, said in a release. "Successful implementation of these initiatives is key to overcoming labor shortages, revitalizing the frontline workforce and reinventing the employee value proposition in manufacturing for a new generation."The report described a pathway for organizations to achieve value creation through connected factory worker initiatives. In the near-term, they can achieve operational cost savings, while in the longer-term they may gain strategic benefits centered on enhancing the employee experience, upskilling talent, and creating new organizational roles that will appeal to and engage the next generation of workers."Organizations that involve their frontline associates in shaping smart manufacturing are more likely to exceed expectations," said Jacobson. "This approach ensures that the workforce is engaged, skilled, and prepared for future challenges."