In this module we solve the challenge to involve front-line workers to our Company collaboration space. Front-line workers (we can call them also blue collars).  Front-line workers are the roles who performing physical activities in the physical space of the company. Typical examples: shop-floor workers, machine operators, Operations supervision and maintenance staff, staff in charge of material transport in and outside of the company, etc. Frontline workers are not necessarily only the employees of the company. For example, a regular maintenance of an equipment can be outsourced to an external entity (supplier client who sold the equipment to our company).

What benefits we can expect from this extension of company teleworker group?

1.      General: extension of collaboration space creates new opportunity to create and share knowledge in the company

2.      Frontline workers:

a.      can view and add data and activities relevant to their job.

b.     But more important, can ask direct online advice from specialists (e.g. Technologist of the Company, shop-floor manager) who can be remote

3.      Benefits to current teleworkers:

a.       managers and specialists can follow and see remotely the progress of physical processes in the manufacturing plant locations (e.g. status of workorders, shipment, etc.)

b.     They can advise to the frontline worker what to do in case of unexpected work situations. (e.g. How to setup the equipment operation, what component to test or replace, etc.)

c.      Can instruct frontline what to do in some mission critical situations

The benefits- for sure – would be a significant added value to the flexibility and resilience of the company physical production processes. However, to solve these challenge we have to extend our collaboration platform by several technology components, to be presented in the next lecture.

Active Learners: Please propose in the Comment section below frontline cases you consider useful for your company shop-flow operations.

As for warming-up here is a historical vision from March 2020 Reformulation of Home Office, presented by Attila Toth during a Telework EU LinkedIn Group meeting.