Any organization that puts its customer at the helm recognizes UX’s importance today. But when it comes to manufacturing, this is not usually the case; however, times are changing. The truth is, the industry has long been plagued with legacy platforms and applications that prioritize efficiency over productivity and capability over engagement.
But the brave new post-pandemic weaves a different picture. There is no denying that the more data-driven supply chains become, the more UX will start commanding experiences. Why? Because if the process outcomes are not easily articulated with a visual representation for the end-users, no tool will realize its true potential.
Why UX is important in manufacturing
Data is useless if users cannot digest it
Data is the new oil, but all data does not necessarily translate into value. This is especially true in the manufacturing industry, where any given machine generates an enormous amount of information that needs to be interpreted and visualized clearly for easy consumption by operators or administrators. This will ensure end-users can make quicker decisions.
Example: A machine that produces components for an automobile is likely to provide a great deal of information concerning temperature, pressure, and time. This data is precious since manufacturers can track their operations and improve as needed throughout each stage. But if the end-user cannot digest such data in real-time (either on mobile devices or on a computer), it will be useless.
Engagement is the new efficiency
Any capability that does not help humans do their job faster with minimal errors will be useless in the long run or at scale. This is because most users are inclined towards newer, more intuitive solutions rather than legacy platforms where they have to wait for the next step. This is especially true for manufacturing, where a single glitch can prove disastrous. Thus, UX becomes essential to help streamline the entire process.
Example: A mobile application allows end-users access to all information related to temperature, pressure, and time at their fingertips. This can prove extremely helpful for operators who can monitor real-time data (and plan accordingly) instead of waiting for this data on a centralized system that might be offline.
IoT is too close on the horizon to ignore UX
The convergence of IoT and AI brings about a transformative time for manufacturers, especially when scaling up or down their production capabilities. However, manufacturers need easy visual tools that offer insight into key milestones from a machine, factory, or enterprise-level to realize the full potential here. This is where UX comes into play as a visual translator that enables better communication between the platform and its end-users.
Example: A paper-based report is an inefficient and error-prone way to monitor or manage a factory. However, if the data from such reports can be visualized in real-time on a mobile device (giving workers more flexibility) while also providing them with actionable insights on the same platform (enabling automation on some tasks), it would allow manufacturers to increase the level of efficiency at their factories.
Real-time operational intelligence
Real-time operational intelligence is the new competitive advantage in any industry, especially for manufacturers striving for better turnaround times. This is where UX can play a pivotal role because it enables near real-time communication between administrators and frontend users, making diagnostics or troubleshooting far more efficient.
Example: An administrator can easily change the grade of raw material or select an alternative process without having to go all the way down to the shop floor.
Communication, not broadcasting
Although end-users should have access to various functionalities and capabilities within a system, every action they take is recorded by IT/IS for future reference. UX comes into play by making all processes within a system completely transparent to users while enabling administrators to filter and organize relevant information. This fosters a culture of collaboration and gets everyone on the same page, enabling them to work towards a common goal.
Example: If a user wants information about why the production is on hold, they will have to check IT/IS first before acting upon it or asking for additional clarification from their supervisors. Moreover, with the right technology, the IT/IS department can send a push notification to everyone notifying them of the issue as it arises.
Driving the manufacturing industry
The truth is, in a complex age-old industry, it is difficult to develop intuitive, easy-to-use, and scalable UX solutions due to the sheer size and complexity of processes. However, this proprietary 4 step process works the best:
1. Understanding and learning about requirements, industry, and (most importantly) the business.
2. Researching and understanding the competitive landscape to build a solid UX strategy.
3. Preparing for usability testing with actual end-users to drive continuous UX improvement and an exceptional UX with real-time operational intelligence.
4. Delivering rock-solid, scalable and secure solutions in the shortest possible time, appraising the UX design through expert reviews, and taking necessary inputs to produce high-quality user interfaces.
This process ensures that the UX and business strategies are aligned and deliver continuous product improvement. In addition, it is also pivotal to test and iterate solutions based on real-time user feedback.
Naveen Puttagunta is the co-founder and CEO of Divami, an UX/UI Design agency based in Hyderabad.