Guide to Connected Worker Platforms
Connected worker platforms are a type of software that enables businesses to more effectively manage and monitor their remote workers. These platforms provide a suite of tools and features designed to help businesses keep their distributed workforce connected, productive, and informed. In addition to providing organizations with the opportunity to view real-time data on employee performance, connected worker platforms also allow organizations to assign tasks and track progress, control access levels and resources for each team member as well as share key information across teams/departments.
One of the primary benefits of connected worker platforms is that they can greatly reduce the need for manual oversight and paperwork when it comes to managing remote workers and teams. With these systems in place, employers can better ensure that their employees are not only completing tasks on time but adhering to quality standards as well. Additionally, organizations can use these systems to automate reports related to productivity metrics such as task completion rates or compliance with company policies.
Another benefit of connected worker platforms is enhanced communication between teams. For instance, many applications offer automated notifications when tasks are assigned or completed so that everyone involved is aware of changes in status quickly. This eliminates the need for long emails or phone calls which helps streamline internal processes. Furthermore, most platforms also offer messaging capabilities that allow staff members from different departments/locations stay in touch easily without relying on email exchanges.
Furthermore, using a connected worker platform makes it easier for organization leaders to maintain visibility into what’s happening within their workforce even if they don’t have direct access to day-to-day operations due to geographically dispersed teams or time constraints associated with running a business efficiently. With these systems in place, managers can review any data points tracked by the system (such as hours worked) from any location at any time thus making it easier them maintain control over labor costs while ensuring that all employees are meeting expectations.
In summary, connected worker platforms provide companies with an efficient way to manage remote works through automation, visibility, communication, and improved data collection which ultimately results in greater productivity, cost savings, and overall business success.
Features Provided by Connected Worker Platforms
- Productivity Tracking: Allows companies to track and monitor the performance of their workers, ensuring that goals are met on time and on budget.
- Check-in/Check-out: Automates employee sign in/sign out for job sites or tasks, providing accurate time tracking for payroll purposes.
- Asset Tracking: Enables companies to track their assets such as tools, equipment, vehicles and personnel at any given time.
- Safety Monitoring: Offers real-time monitoring of dangerous work environments so that supervisors can be alerted when conditions exceed pre-defined thresholds.
- Reporting & Analytics: Provides key insights into operational efficiency, allowing businesses to quickly identify areas where improvements can be made.
- Messaging & Alerts: Deliver critical information directly to employees in the field via SMS text messages or notifications, keeping them informed and up-to-date with events happening back at the office.
- Scheduling & Dispatching: Streamlines task assignment by creating detailed profiles with scheduling data that can be managed centrally from one place.
What Are the Different Types of Connected Worker Platforms?
- Remote Working Platforms: These platforms allow employees to telecommute from anywhere in the world. They enable collaboration and communication between remote workers, enabling real-time sharing of files, ideas, and documents.
- Collaboration Platforms: These are web-based tools that facilitate collaboration between distributed teams or groups of people. They include chat rooms, discussion boards, virtual whiteboards, document-sharing tools, and team calendars.
- Mobile Working Platforms: These are designed for mobile workers who need access to information on-the-go. They offer cloud integration between mobile devices and other applications so that data can be synced across multiple devices.
- Social Networking Platforms: Social networking sites such as LinkedIn provide an essential connection point for individuals looking to establish business relationships or expand their professional network.
- Project Management Software: Project management software helps managers keep track of tasks and timelines by organizing data into meaningful reports and visualizations. It also facilitates communication between project stakeholders by giving users the ability to assign tasks, review progress updates, and provide feedback quickly and easily online.
- Virtual Conferencing Solutions: This type of platform allows remote workers to interact face-to-face over video conference calls or through messaging apps like Slack or Google Hangouts. It can also be used for online training sessions or webinars where large numbers of participants can connect at once from different locations around the world.
Recent Trends Related to Connected Worker Platforms
- Increased usage of mobile devices: As the number of users accessing enterprise networks through mobile devices grows, connected worker platforms are becoming more popular. This is allowing workers to access company data from anywhere, enabling them to be more productive and flexible.
- Improved communication and collaboration: By incorporating real-time communication tools into connected worker platforms, companies are able to foster better collaboration between teams. This can help boost productivity and help teams stay on the same page.
- Automated processes: Connected worker platforms are also streamlining many manual processes for a more efficient workflow. Automation allows companies to reduce costs and improve accuracy by removing manual steps from the equation.
- Enhanced security: Connected worker platforms provide stronger security controls, reducing the risk of data breaches or malicious attacks. They also allow companies to easily track who is accessing their data and keep tabs on any suspicious activity.
- Improved customer experience: With connected worker platforms, customer service teams can access customer information quickly and easily. This enables them to be more responsive to customer inquiries and provide a better overall experience.
Advantages Provided by Connected Worker Platforms
- Improved Efficiency: Connected worker platforms allow for real-time data collection and analysis that can help streamline processes and reduce wasted time, allowing companies to remain competitive. In addition, connected worker platforms enable automated workflows that can further improve efficiency by making sure tasks are completed in an efficient manner.
- Greater Visibility: Connected worker platforms offer visibility into operations from both the employee’s perspective as well as management’s. This allows managers to quickly identify any issues that may be hindering productivity or performance and take corrective action right away. It also provides employees with the ability to monitor their own performance and make any adjustments necessary to ensure they are working at their peak levels of efficiency.
- Enhanced Productivity: Connected worker platforms offer enhanced productivity by providing workers with access to on-demand training materials, virtual classrooms, interactive task lists, instant feedback loops, project tracking systems, and collaborative workspaces. This helps ensure workers have the necessary information they need to complete their job responsibilities in an effective manner.
- Improved Communication: By utilizing connected worker platforms, companies can easily share important updates with workers in real-time instead of relying on outdated methods such as emails or physical memos that require extra steps for communication. Additionally, integrated messaging capabilities allow for quick communication between colleagues which helps maintain consistent communication without delays or misunderstandings regarding expectations or deadlines.
- Increased Engagement: Connected worker platforms provide managers with detailed insights into how engaged employees are with their work through built-in engagement metrics such as task completion rate and activity level tracking. This helps managers gain a better understanding of what motivates their staffs so they can make relevant changes to improve motivation levels and keep employees engaged over time.
How to Pick the Right Connected Worker Platform
- Identify Your Goals: Before selecting a connected worker platform, it is important to clearly define what you want from it. Do you need more visibility into employee performance? Are you looking for in-depth analytics? Determine what you need and what goals your organization is seeking to achieve by implementing this technology.
- Research Platform Options: Once you know what objectives you’re looking for in a connected worker platform, research the options available on the market. Compare features, services and pricing between platforms to identify which one best meets your requirements and budget constraints.
- Talk To Current Users: Don’t forget to consult those who have implemented these platforms at other organizations before making a selection. Talking to current users can provide useful insight into how effective different platforms are at achieving their desired goals, as well as any potential drawbacks they may experience while using them.
- Test Run It Out: Finally, make sure to test out any prospective connected worker platforms prior to rolling them out throughout your organization! A trial run will ensure that the platform functions properly and gives everyone involved an idea of how it works before putting it into full use across all departments or locations of your business.
Make use of the comparison tools above to organize and sort all of the connected worker platforms products available.
What Types of Users Use Connected Worker Platforms?
- Line Worker: Workers responsible for assembling, testing, and packaging products on the production line.
- Maintenance Technician: Skilled technicians who are responsible for repairing and maintaining industrial equipment and facilities.
- Quality Assurance: Those responsible for ensuring quality standards in products and services by inspecting, testing, and evaluating products.
- Logistics Coordinator: People responsible for overseeing the efficient movement of goods throughout a supply chain network.
- Safety Inspector: Professionals whose job is to ensure that workplaces meet safety regulations and standards.
- Health & Safety Professional: Responsible for safeguarding employee health by overseeing workplace practices, such as ergonomics or hazardous substance management.
- Machine Operator: Individuals who operate machinery used to build products in a factory process setting.
- Plant Manager/Supervisor: Individuals with overall responsibility for controlling the flow of work in a company’s manufacturing facility or warehouse.
- Analytical Manager/Data Scientist: Professionals experienced in data analytics who monitor performance metrics and generate insights from large datasets.
- Warehouse Worker/Pick Packer: Those employed to manage inventory, package orders, and organize product shipments from a warehouse or distribution center.
How Much Do Connected Worker Platforms Cost?
The cost of connected worker platforms varies depending on the features and capabilities needed for your particular business environment. Generally, pricing is based on the number of users and services included in the platform. Basic connected worker platform packages can range from around $100 a month up to several thousand dollars per month depending on the size of your organization, the scope of services included, and any customizations you may need. Depending on the complexity of your needs, additional fees may also apply such as setup and training fees or third-party integrations or add-ons. When selecting a connected worker platform it is important to ensure that it meets all regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR) and can be customized to meet your specific business requirements. Keep in mind that while upfront costs are important considerations when evaluating platforms, long-term ROI should also be taken into account when assessing which solution best fits your needs.
What Software Do Connected Worker Platforms Integrate With?
Connected worker platforms can integrate with a wide variety of software. This type of software includes things like analytics platforms, asset tracking systems, document management solutions, and human resources applications. Analytics platforms allow organizations to collect and analyze data on their workforce in order to make more informed decisions. Asset tracking systems help organizations keep track of their employees' devices, as well as physical assets within the workplace. Document management solutions organize and secure digital documents so they are easily accessible by all users within the organization. Lastly, human resources applications streamline processes like hiring and payroll to increase efficiency and compliance with regulations. By integrating other types of software into connected worker platforms, organizations can create a comprehensive system that is tailored to their unique needs and goals.