The status of coordination between factory operations and field service teams can make or break an industrial manufacturing project. Disjointed coordination challenges include data silos and a lack of real-time visibility, communication lapses, scheduling discrepancies, and quality inconsistencies.
These challenges can segue into delayed responses and project execution, inefficient resource allocation, and bottlenecks — all of which lengthen a project’s timeline. Digital transformation through real-time data, predictive maintenance, and digital documentation can facilitate greater industrial manufacturing success.
While tracking is essential for effective factory-to-field coordination, it traditionally faces some key challenges:
Factory Production Syncing Issues
A lack of real-time data visibility and adjustment flexibility can disrupt supply chains and delay shipments to the field. Furthermore, manual tracking can lead to errors and misaligned production schedules.
Installation Schedule Misalignment
Field teams may face misaligned delivery schedules that lead to wasted resources, including idle personnel. Inconsistent work order updates and last-minute changes become common.
Communication Gaps
Siloed systems strain data sharing among various departments, including factory operations, logistics, and field service teams. This can further confuse field technicians, as they lack updated job details.
Real-time solutions alleviate typical tracking challenges, seamlessly closing the gap between factory and field:
Digital Tracking Tools
Cloud-based dashboards centralize data updates for stakeholders. AI-powered forecasting predicts delays and optimizes workflows, improving accuracy and efficiency. IoT sensors and RFID tracking provide real-time visibility into all areas, from production to shipping to inventory.
Mobile Data Access
Field teams are always in the know, getting live updates on work schedules, equipment status, work orders, and more. On-the-go reporting enables personnel to log issues and request changes instantly.
Integration Capabilities
Connectivity between various systems, such as field service management, enterprise resource planning, and customer relationship management, ensures seamless data sharing between teams.
What does implementing the array of essential components look like? Companies must consider system requirements, team adoption, and process integration. System requirements involve cloud-based infrastructure, IoT technology, mobile compatibility and optimization, predictive analytics, and systemic integration throughout a company. Team members must be trained, have a user-friendly experience, and have access to any user-specific details. Managers should address questions and concerns. Process integration includes automated workflows, standardized communication, and continuous monitoring and feedback.
The success of tracking is unclear without a measurable impact. This involves evaluating key tracking measurements, quality indicators, and team performance. Managers can consider key tracking measurements, such as real-time job progress, issue response times, and data accuracy rate for inventory, equipment, and information flow between teams.
Digital tracking, mobile data, and well-rounded integration all tackle the challenges facing traditional tracking, strengthening the coordination between factory and field teams.
Learn more about how Gomocha tracks progress in real-time for modular assembly.