IT teams are up against unique challenges in manufacturing environments. It’s not just about routine tasks like fixing printers or recovering lost passwords; it’s about managing a vast infrastructure of modern technology, legacy systems, analog processes, and a workforce that may not always be tech-savvy. Additionally, the scope of IT responsibilities has expanded, requiring them to manage everything from basic network infrastructure to complex systems, often with limited resources and minimal vendor support.
The Problem with Single Point Solutions
IT teams face the challenge of managing outdated single-point solutions that were implemented by someone outside the IT department. These solutions typically focus on a specific function or process, neglecting the need for integration with other tools and systems. As a result, IT teams may encounter data silos, manual workarounds, and reduced visibility across critical operations. High turnover further complicates the situation, as the person who holds the institutional knowledge is no longer with the company. When issues arise, IT teams are inundated with requests that require knowledge of and expertise in unfamiliar software. Additionally, single-point solutions rarely adapt to changing business needs, leading to inefficiencies and dissatisfaction.
Challenges with Aging Hardware
The hardware situation in manufacturing environments is often equally challenging. IT teams must constantly deal with a range of issues related to equipment compatibility, including the need for specific input port adapters, power adapters, and printer drivers that may no longer be readily available. Cybersecurity is another critical concern, as older hardware often lacks the necessary protections against modern threats, requiring IT teams to implement complex, custom solutions to safeguard the network.
Additionally, regular operating system updates may not be supported on aging devices, leading to memory issues and software malfunctions that disrupt operations. Physical wear and tear further exacerbate these challenges. In a manufacturing environment, equipment is subjected to harsh conditions—dirt, dust, heat, and constant use—which can lead to broken screens, malfunctioning components, and failing device enclosures or mounts. When these machines inevitably fail, IT teams are left scrambling to find replacement parts for outdated hardware, often resorting to creative workarounds to keep essential operations running.
The lack of support and reliance on obsolete infrastructure forces IT professionals to stretch their expertise across an increasingly broad spectrum of hardware, each piece with its own set of quirks and challenges, making efficient and effective maintenance an ongoing struggle.
The Opportunity Cost of Reactive Maintenance
The IT team’s time is one of the most valuable resources in a manufacturing facility, yet it is often consumed by troubleshooting and patching outdated systems that should have been standardized long ago. Instead of driving innovation and implementing improvements that could enhance the entire operation, IT professionals are trapped in a cycle of reactive maintenance, constantly addressing urgent issues with little opportunity to focus on strategic initiatives. To reclaim this valuable time and enable IT teams to contribute more effectively, organizations should adopt comprehensive solutions that integrate systems and scale with changing needs. Moving away from fragmented, single-point solutions toward unified platforms allows IT teams to prioritize efficiency and innovation, benefiting the entire facility.
How can manufacturing facilities modernize their operations without overwhelming their IT teams?
Manufacturing IT teams often struggle with outdated, non-configurable single-point solutions that complicate their already demanding workload. Transmission offers a modern, fully configurable platform that replaces these fragmented rigid systems with a single, powerful solution designed to automate processes, improve efficiency, and support workplace operations without adding burden to the internal IT teams.
Consolidation and Integration
Transmission consolidates multiple systems into one easy-to-use platform, eliminating the need for separate tools for on-site communication, reporting, training, daily tasks, contractor compliance, visitor orientation, digital signs, and more. This integration reduces the time IT teams spend managing single systems, data silos and manual workarounds, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks. With Transmission, managers can assign and collect work through a single interface, ensuring everything is securely stored and easily accessible.
No-Code Automation
Transmission’s no-code platform allows IT teams to build, customize, and deploy workflows without the need for coding expertise. This feature is particularly valuable for automating routine tasks like weather updates, scheduling changes, maintenance requests, and contractor onboarding. Notifications are automated and can be set to guide users step-by-step, ensuring timely communication and task completion. This automation frees up IT resources, enabling them to focus on innovation rather than manual processes.
Multi-Surface, Mobile-Friendly Access
Designed with the frontline workforce in mind, Transmission provides seamless access across various devices. Whether through employee kiosks, digital signage, text messaging, or mobile checkpoints, Transmission ensures that vital information reaches every team member, regardless of their location or device. Importantly, Transmission is mobile-friendly but not dependent on mobile devices, allowing access through QR codes, checkpoints, or strategically placed kiosks. There are no apps to download, and individual users do not need usernames, passwords or company emails.
User-Level Permissions and Training
Transmission’s robust user-level permissions allow IT teams to control which admins see what, ensuring that sensitive information is protected. Whether it’s department managers, shift supervisors or front-line workers, everyone gets the user access they need. Additionally, Transmission offers free, ongoing training, ensuring that IT teams and admins are always up to speed with the system’s capabilities, even as staff changes occur. This continuous support ensures institutional knowledge is never lost and keeps operations running smoothly.
Lifetime Support and Warranty
Transmission goes beyond being just a product; it’s a partnership. From onboarding to daily operations, Transmission provides comprehensive support to ensure seamless onboarding, implementation, training and ongoing success. All hardware comes with a lifetime warranty, so if something goes wrong, it’s replaced at no extra cost. This commitment allows your internal IT teams to focus on their core responsibilities without worrying about hardware failures, additional costs or learning new software.
Digitizing Workflows and Real-Time Updates
Transmission digitizes workflows, building transparency across operations. Programming notifications guarantees timely communication, and real-time updates ensure that everyone stays informed, which is critical in dynamic manufacturing environments. Instant notifications can be received via Teams/Slack, text messages, emails and directly on TV screens.
Conclusion
Transmission is the ultimate solution for modernizing frontline operations in manufacturing facilities. By replacing outdated systems with a unified, no-code platform, it simplifies complex tasks, automates workflows, and provides a user-friendly experience across multiple surfaces. With Transmission, IT teams can shift their focus from troubleshooting and maintenance to driving innovation and efficiency, ensuring the entire operation benefits from a streamlined, modern approach.
Learn how Transmission's integrated, comprehensive, configurable solution can improve efficiency without adding to IT's workload: Schedule A Demo. .