With older workers retiring, ASK Chemicals turned to augmented reality (AR) to ensure it could continue meeting service demands with fewer skilled workers entering the workforce, according to IndustryWeek.
The company, which manufactures high-performance resins and materials, uses AR for field support at its global locations and customer sites. AR captures knowledge from existing workers that it can pass on to other technicians.
“One of our differentiators, or unique selling proposition, is that we have a large highly skilled technical service group that travels to troubleshoot problems for our customers,” explains Charles Hoertz, head of global digitalization for ASK Chemicals. “In our industry, the expertise of seasoned employees just isn’t replaceable. The knowledge is deep, gained over many years in the field.”
AR is a tool that some manufacturers began using during the early days of the pandemic to monitor walkdowns and offer live advice and real-time guidance to less-experienced personnel.
ASK's virtual field support system is called ASKNow. The company has deployed it to 10 countries, with plans to integrate the system at customer locations.
Learn more at IndustryWeek.