Mar 31, 2022

Downtime is a major issue for plants and warehouses because it disrupts the ability to meet the shifting demands of customers, which can drain time and money. Studies show that the average cost of unplanned downtime in warehouses is up to $250,000 per hour, and 46% of unplanned downtime is due to hardware failure and malfunction. Without implementing the right hardware solutions, warehouses and distribution centers could be left unprepared for shifting demands and rising downtime rates, leading to diminished productivity, slower shipments, and ultimately decreased customer satisfaction. That’s why it’s critical to implement experienced solutions that help manage your devices to streamline picking operations in your shipping and distribution centers.

One interesting way businesses are securing connectivity amidst downtime is through smart glasses, which provide real-time connections to remote technicians to help them stay connected to overall operations. These remote technicians help and guide workers to fix technology, and smart glasses are proven to reduce errors by 60% and boost productivity by 25%. Smart glasses are specifically designed for maintenance and combine a video camera, augmented reality, microphone, and a barcode scanner to supply workers with an innovative, hands-free mobile device. Even an inexperienced on-site technician can quickly perform required maintenance with features such as:

• Streamlined access to experienced maintenance technicians. When your workers can access experienced technicians for help repairing and managing devices, your hardware fails less often. This improves productivity and ensures consistent efficiency so your workers can focus on important tasks.
• Higher reliability through characteristics such as advanced functionality, wearability, and durability. The combination of hands-free use and remote guidance deliver rapid ROI in typically less than a year, and the hands-free design also allows your workers to be more mobile in challenging environments so they easily adapt to demands.
• Empowered access to crucial maintenance information and guidance. This comes through the value of the hands-free and intuitive design. When workers have access to more information, they gain real-time data insights and boost asset visibility because they are more knowledgeable about asset shipments.
  
• Automatic detection of maintenance issues that on-site workers may not have noticed. An example is that the microphones of smart glasses can pick up whirring bearings that need replacement. This reduces manual errors when fixing devices and ensures devices are fully repaired and functional.

 Smart glasses can significantly reduce downtime and boost your shipping operations. Contact us at Heartland to learn more about hands-free technologies that streamline picking operations.