By digitizing and automating frontline workflows, businesses can achieve significant productivity gains, reduce costs, minimize human error, and improve workplace safety, resulting in long-term operational benefits.
Epicor, a provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth, recently announced it has acquired Acadia Software, a provider of Connected Worker solutions that provides real-time, actionable insights and step-by-step guidance directly to frontline workers in manufacturing and other supply chain industries. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Frontline workers need the digital tools and knowledge necessary to perform their roles efficiently and safely,” said Epicor CEO Steve Murphy. “The acquisition of Acadia furthers Epicor’s commitment to helping businesses across the make, move, and sell industries move beyond simply telling workers what to do, but showing them how to do it effectively to drive stronger productivity and efficiency.”
By integrating Acadia’s capabilities, Epicor customers can empower their frontline teams to execute tasks with precision, providing them with real-time data, digital work instructions, and task management tools that contribute to continuous improvement across their organizations.
Benefits of the acquired capabilities include:
- Real-Time, Actionable Insights: Acadia’s platform integrates easily with existing enterprise systems, allowing businesses to dynamically combine workforce performance data with other operational metrics.
- Skills Management and Development: Acadia provides tools that help workers quickly adopt new processes, software, and equipment that fosters employee growth, skills development, and career progression.
- Driving Continuous Improvement: Aligned with Epicor’s focus in helping businesses optimize operations and achieve sustainable growth, Acadia enables workers to identify inefficiencies, suggest improvements, and execute tasks according to best practices.
“Frontline workers are the backbone of successful companies, and those who can operate independently are more effective, more engaged, and more likely to stay,” said Josh Crone, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Acadia Software. “Joining Epicor gives us an opportunity to connect even more frontline workers to the tools and know-how they need to work independently, while also providing resources and capabilities to better serve our existing Acadia customers.”
What this means for ERP insiders
The frontline worker is worthy of digitization and automation. Connecting frontline workflows and digitizing their workflows can reduce manual processes, enabling workers to focus on higher-value tasks, and can lead to productivity increases of 20%-50% due to reduced downtime and streamlined workflows. Also automated workflows can reduce cycle times by up to 30% and minimize human error in data entry, calculations, and decision-making. In fact, error rates in reporting and task execution can drop by 70%-90%, leading to savings of tens of thousands of dollars annually, especially in sectors with tight tolerances like automotive or aerospace. What is more, work automation and real-time monitoring can improve workplace safety in that digitized safety monitoring can reduce workplace accidents by up to 25%, leading to reduced liability and insurance costs. At its core, frontline work automation reduces waste, energy consumption, and labor costs for repetitive tasks, unlocking up to 30% reduction in labor costs for tasks that can be automated and 15%-25% reduction in material waste. Real-time tracking and analytics at the front lines allow for faster decision-making and better resource allocation. For instance, predictive maintenance and automated scheduling can reduce downtime by 20%-40%, and facilities often see a 10%-20% increase in throughput after implementing digital solutions.
Check all the boxes when deploying a frontline mobility solution. Connecting frontline workers to the data, processes and systems required to improve the speed, accuracy and efficiency of their work requires a robust mobile computing solution. When deploying these solutions, manufacturing, supply chain and other organizations with frontline workforces must protect sensitive operational data (e.g., inventory levels, production schedules) and guard against threats from phishing, malware, or weak device security settings, by implementing tough encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. Companies also need to ensuring seamless compatibility with existing manufacturing execution systems (MES), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and supply chain management (SCM) platforms. Older systems may lack APIs or require extensive customization for integration, so project leaders can use middleware or integration platforms to bridge gaps. Internet connectivity is another factor for companies to consider in deploying mobile solutions. Reliable connectivity is crucial for real-time data access and communication but may be inconsistent in large warehouses or remote sites. So companies should assess the potential need to improve their network infrastructure, including Wi-Fi boosters and private 5G networks, but should also implement offline functionality to ensure continuity during connectivity lapses. Finally, the costs to deploy a mobility solution for frontline workers can be nontrivial. The upfront investment in devices, software, and network upgrades can be significant, and there can also be hidden costs related to ongoing maintenance, updates, and support. As such, companies should start with a phased rollout and evaluate ROI at each stage, and would be well-advised to leverage cost-effective solutions like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs where feasible.
AI use cases abound in the life of a frontline worker. Expect to see AI-enabled capabilities from Epicor as they integrate and accelerate the Acadia road map. In a frontline work setting, AI can analyze data from IoT-enabled machines to predict equipment failures before they occur, which reduces unplanned downtime and extends machinery lifespan. Also, AI-powered visual inspection systems can identify defects in products on assembly lines, which enhances product quality by detecting flaws in real time, thereby reducing waste and rework and allowing frontline workers to focus on resolving complex quality issues. AI can also optimize stock levels by analyzing demand patterns, lead times, and supply constraints, minimizing overstocking and stockouts and improving order accuracy. AI-powered virtual assistants can provide frontline workers with instant answers to operational questions, which can reduce downtime during machine breakdowns or workflow disruptions. Step-by-step guidance for complex tasks can increase worker confidence and productivity. And AI can create optimized shift schedules based on production needs, worker availability, and skill levels, ensuring the right workers are available for critical tasks. AI can predict future demand for products based on historical data, market trends, and external factors, aligning production schedules with market needs and reducing idle time and excess inventory. For multilingual teams, AI can provide instant translation, facilitating communication on the shop floor, reducing errors due to language barriers. Finally, AI can enable frontline workers to adjust production processes for customized orders in real time, which supports mass customization without disrupting operations.
