6 Ways to Leverage Technology for Retaining Industrial Maintenance Talent

Industries worldwide are seeking new technologies to improve their processes. An SAPinsider survey shows that companies strive for greater productivity, better expense control, fewer manual touchpoints, and improved profitability in an increasingly global marketplace.

So, can the industrial maintenance segment—grappling with a significant labor shortage as experienced Baby Boomers retire and the younger generation stays disinterested—leverage technology to overcome this challenge? Yes, it can, according to an ebook by Sigga Technologies titled “Practical Advice to Attract and Retain Industrial Maintenance Talent in Food and Beverage Processing.” The ebook shows six ways in which industrial maintenance talent can utilize technology to retain talent

1. Automate time-consuming tasks

The automation of routine tasks frees employees to focus on more meaningful and engaging work. For example, implementing mobile maintenance applications allows technicians to input data directly into their SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM) system during their tasks, reducing paperwork and enhancing job satisfaction.

2. Enhance communication

Effective communication is pivotal for team cohesion and motivation. Utilizing mobile maintenance devices connected to their SAP EAM or PM systems enables stakeholders to easily dispatch work orders, track execution, and efficiently coordinate schedule changes. They can maintain communication with the staff to resolve problems and provide guidance and feedback on performance. Maintenance technicians can easily send a notification and report on their work before moving on to the next work order.

3. Provide real-time data access

Equipping employees with real-time access to data empowers them to perform their duties efficiently. The ebook cites research that shows 97% of employees improved their ability to access the information they needed after mobile devices were implemented for plant maintenance, while 55% resolved issues quickly.

Access to manuals, checklists, and safety guidelines on mobile devices ensures that technicians can reference necessary information promptly, reducing downtime and enhancing performance. According to Sigga, updating the data in SAP PM a little every day also helps expand access to it later.

4. Facilitate on-the-job learning

Providing platforms for on-the-job learning, such as digital training modules accessible via mobile devices, allows employees to upskill at their own pace, increasing job satisfaction and loyalty. For example, A native mobile EAM solution provides technicians with complete access to all the information they need online and offline. This includes video repair instructions, work task procedures, safety information, and checklists.

5. Improve data for better decision-making

Accurate and timely data collection through digital tools enables better decision-making processes while streamlining data collection and analysis. For instance, Planning and Scheduling software and Mobile EAM solutions provide collective intuitive views of real-time work order system data. This helps stakeholders gain full visibility to plan and manage work more effectively.

6. Attract and retain younger talent

The ebook recommends going mobile to attract and retain younger talent for maintenance jobs. New technologies appeal to this generation, allowing them to develop their skills continuously. Thus, by integrating digital tools and mobile solutions, companies can create an appealing work environment that attracts and retains younger talent, effectively addressing the labor shortage.

What this means for SAPinsiders

Invest in new technologies to improve processes. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the critical need for robust automation strategies to drive their digital transformation efforts forward. Technologies like the Mobile EAM interface to SAP, Planning and Scheduling software, and IIoT sensors to deploy and integrate data to advance the use of predictive technologies can bolster an employee’s productivity by reducing their time-consuming manual tasks.

Go mobile to make your plant future-ready. Utilizing mobile maintenance solution modules like Sigga’s EAM Empower, Planning and Scheduling, and Warehouse and Inventory can help organizations maximize productivity, increase efficiency, and optimize workflows while maintaining the data quality and visibility in their SAP systems.

Involve younger employees in learning and developing work processes. Technologies make open maintenance positions more appealing to a larger pool of candidates. To retain this talent, organizations can utilize interactive training modules, include younger employees in digital transformation projects, train them on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, use mobile-friendly training platforms, integrate video tutorials, or host interactive Q&A sessions via social media-like tools within the organization.