Wearables are the latest cutting-edge technology that is becoming commonplace employee items in today’s business world. Organizations are rapidly integrating these wearables in their organizational practice and strategy to maximize their numerous benefits.
The uptake for wearables is also increasing – 347 million wearables were sold in 2018 alone; and forecasted by Gartner to reach 504 million by 2021. Interestingly, about 7 percent of these wearables are head-mounted displays (HMDs) which are tailored for hands-free assignments such as inspections, maintenance, and equipment repair.
First, why they’re good
- Improve productivity: Wearables streamline workflow operations. A study from Entrepreneur shows that employees with wearables are 8.5 percent more productive and 3.5 percent more satisfied.
- Improve efficiency: With wearable devices, employees can instantly gain diagnosis and resolution of critical issues, improving task management efficiency.
- Enhance safety: Sensors in wearables can gather and analyze data to give real-time alerts in hazardous environments, gauging dangerous situations like heat exhaustion.
- Enhance workplace communications: Voice-controlled wearables replace traditional walkie-talkies, streamlining operations and increasing customer service.
Finding the right match
As the wearables market grows, it becomes hard for organizations to determine the right fit. Below are five simplified steps to help you decide:
1. Understand Your Industry’s Needs
Different industries present unique situations. Take field service operations, where companies struggle with information transfer inefficiencies. Pre-built wearables with two-way communication can link field workers with SMEs anywhere in the world.
Ask yourself: Do you have safety concerns? Do you need hands-free work? Do you require real-time remote assistance?
2. Envision the Solution You Need
If you understand your industry’s digital needs, you know the kind of solution you need visually. Workers in an offshore rig, for example, require intrinsically safe, voice-controlled, hands-free wearables to interact with Experts while remaining safe.
3. Choose from Available Wearables
The market increase has opened doors for different brand offerings. The key is understanding the type of solution you require—the features are enhancers to your decision.
For oil and gas or mining, intrinsically safe options mounted on hardhats are preferred. For utilities or manufacturing, devices that attach and detach quickly, like pocket wearables, are ideal.
4. Consider KPIs and Proof of Value
Before investing, consider what key performance indicators (KPIs) you want to track. Conduct a pilot or trial period to provide data on how KPIs will be met and the ROI wearables with software like Telepresenz® can provide.
5. Reach Out to an Industry Expert
Reach out to an industry expert to learn more about available options. Look for a company whose core value is to partner with customers to develop solutions with meaningful business impact.
Contact one of our experts to discover the easiest to use, most feature-rich, and scalable remote operations platform on the market.