A mere four years ago, researchers were already striving to redefine the smart factory as demands for product quality, clear traceability, and operational flexibility continued to grow. In the meantime, wearable technologies such as ring scanners and smart glasses have risen to popularity. Studies estimate that by 2023, over 14 million workers will rely on some form of wearable technology to accomplish manufacturing tasks. When implemented cohesively, wearable technologies can enable:

  • Remote access to your ERP system for real-time key performance indicator (KPI) management.
  • Internet-of-things connectivity between digitized devices and vital machinery 
  • Remote supervision for new workers to ensure seamless onboarding and maintained worker safety regulations
  • Faster assembly thanks to prioritized ergonomics and faster processing 

To facilitate intelligent modernization in manufacturing, CMAC works alongside Zebra Technologies to highlight the three essential benefits wearable technologies bring into the smart factory. 

Taking Mobility to a New Level…

Devices like Zebra’s heads-up displays, ring scanners, and wearable computers can all work together to:

  • Maximize productivity through Android’s operating system. Unlike Windows’ outdated operating system, Android equips teams with a versatile open application ecosystem, allowing you to add current and future crucial apps without extensive rewriting. Moreover, Zebra Fortified Android further equips you with recurrent 90-day security patches and government-grade encryption to protect your sensitive data from cyberattacks. 
  • Preserve connectivity across the entire workforce. Dependable connectivity allows you to deploy updates and notifications in real-time to your workforce as needed. Long-range and high-speed WiFi connectivity deployed alongside devices like the WT6300 generate greater accessibility to updates as individual workers can notify each other of any changes as they arise from anywhere on the production floor.  
  • Synthesize collected data to create actionable insights. Studies show that over 50% of manufacturing plants still use paper-based systems to record crucial production steps and work-in-progress. Wearable scanners like the RS6000, stands as one of the best solutions to prevent manual data entry errors by enabling hands-free data capture that syncs directly to your WMS or ERP. Collected data can be used to identify assembly patterns, shifts in demand, and just-in-time shipments to react proactively to new demands.   

At CMAC, entering the smart factory doesn’t have to be complicated. To see how you can start your journey into customized modernization, contact CMAC today for a free evaluation of your current workflows.