Remote work has been growing in popularity across the world. With 62% of workers between the ages of 22 and 65 working remotely at least occasionally, organisations have adjusted operations to provide the support remote workers need. However, many employees have stayed on the frontline performing complex and essential work that makes our daily lives possible. These workers often need to collaborate on complex tasks and solve unique issues quickly, and cutting-edge solutions and expert-level support are key to their success.

Challenges for frontline workers using modern machinery

Frontline workers in all industries often need detailed support to do their jobs, but there are significant challenges in providing that support. These challenges include safety, increasingly complex technology, and the need for reliable, on-demand support.

For safety, how do you support frontline teams working on dangerous machinery or in dangerous locations? Support elements often cannot enter these spaces without risk, and workers manipulating a screen or device with their hands can lead to distractions. Also, as many frontline workers know, balancing a mobile device with one hand while doing a video call could lead to disaster. It’s essential to keep a worker’s hands free for tasks such as climbing ladders, holding onto safety railings, driving forklifts, operating equipment, and more.

Additionally, modern machinery grows more complex daily with the increasing use of technology, such as automation or robotics. These machines require expert knowledge to install, operate, fix, and maintain. And employees cannot know every last detail about their equipment and machinery.

Therefore, immediate and available support is critical for frontline workers. Malfunctioning equipment and technology cannot only pose a danger to employees and others, but it can also shut down operations and lead to delays and losses. organisations and employees must be able to count on support when they need it.

Creating a hybrid work environment for frontline workers 

In the era of flexibility, being able to access real-time communication, enjoy streamlined access to support, and ensure solid reliability is key to improving work efficiency, collaboration, and most important of all - safety. With the creation of assisted-reality wearable solutions with heads-up displays, frontline workers can engage in hands-free video meetings. 

By sharing what workers are seeing and hearing directly within a video meeting via Livestream, support personnel, including engineers, can walk workers through complex processes such as diagnosing issues with the machinery or even supervising the repair or installation of technology. Support personnel can also share content such as schematics during the meeting, providing a reliable medium for critical information. Furthermore, rather than scheduling a specialist to physically come on-site to diagnose and fix an issue, workers can receive the help they need within an online meeting, helping organisations get back on track faster and reduce downtime costs.

When it comes to safety, with the ability to control the live streaming experience using voice commands via a small movable adjustable screen attached to the wearable device, workers can focus on the task at hand. These heads-up displays help protect the safety and health of experts or team members who might otherwise have to enter a dangerous area.

Supporting frontline workers across diverse sectors 

In manufacturing, this technology can help streamline the installation, maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) of equipment with the ability to access support from experts and manufacturers. In healthcare, frontline workers can contact specialists, surgeons, and other medical personnel to gather life-saving insights, strategies, and techniques in the doctor’s office, operating room, or remote areas. For technology industries, companies can easily guide employees during complex deployments or repairs, whether they are in the office, assisting a customer, or working in the field on servers or other equipment.

To build an agile workforce for the hybrid future, it is critical that the frontline workers are supported with the right tools for communication and productivity while working, especially as the rest of the world goes remote.