Maintenance Technology May 2017 - 20

MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES

Tools for Success

Mohamed Shishani, Schneider Electric

Training personnel to interpret the
influx of data produced by IoT
technology is critical to ensure
businesses are prepared for an
evolving industry. As younger workers
enter the workforce, businesses must
evolve with the types of resources
they are providing their employees.
With the right training and digital
tools, companies can set them
up for success.
The first step is to provide
employees with the knowledge they
need-right at their fingertips. In
the age of IoT, giving the workforce
access to the right information when,
where, and how it's needed will be
paramount to the entire operation's
success. Businesses are using
innovative digital tools to make sure
information is readily available and
easily accessible. With online portals,
personnel will have access to product

saving time and eliminating the need
for on-site visits.

IoT-enabled-tool training
With data becoming more useful,
traditional methods of performing
work may no longer be relevant. The
increase in data, in general, suggests
the volume of it specific to electrical
systems is likely to increase as well.
Furthermore, just as the IoT is
transforming industrial operations, the
role of maintenance personnel is also
being transformed.
Consider, for example, building
systems that control a plant's power,
automation, safety, communication, and security. According to
Shishani, the fact that such systems
are becoming more integrated means
electrical contractors and maintenance
technicians are becoming even more
pertinent to the industrial system. In
his view, as their roles and responsibili-

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MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

information, training, and technical
support tools designed to make the
information-gathering process easier
so they can get back to their jobs
more quickly. Through a combination of apprentice libraries, videos,
interactive technical support, training
materials and up-to-date information
on the latest codes and standards,
the workforce will be equipped
with all of the information needed
to generate informed operational
decisions.
In addition, design and/
or implement the right types of
programs to train and develop your
workforce. For businesses with an
eye on IoT, training programs should
be deployed to keep employees on
their game. It's important that new
employees be trained to leverage
tools to help them interpret data. An
emphasis should also be placed on

ties continue to expand and involve
functions beyond traditional electrical
work, they should be encouraged to:
■ Use new skills to gather and analyze
data to ensure decisions are made
quickly and accurately.

The potential of
IoT-enabled tools can
only be realized if
personnel are trained
to use them.
■ Offer solutions that take into
account the energy usage of
a particular process or facility
to ensure energy efficiency and
sustainable operations.
■ Embrace the transformation of their
role as IIoT-solutions providers by

providing existing employees with
training on new technologies to
ensure they are able to complete their
jobs with the efficiency needed to
keep up with IoT technology.
Finally, incorporate safety into
ongoing training. When a job
involves electrical equipment, it's
imperative that safety be part of the
ongoing discussion. Safe electrical
practices, such as how to approach
a tripped circuit breaker and how to
mitigate arc-flash hazards, can be
the difference between a near-miss
incident and harmful electrical
accident. Emergency response and
CPR training are also extremely
relevant and important for plant and
facility operations employees. OSHA
and other regulatory agencies require
emergency-response training for
specific occupations every one to
two years.

expanding their knowledge of IoT
and how to use the resulting data.
In light of the aging workforce,
industries will be challenged to engage
personnel in new technologies while
training newcomers-who most
likely will be Millennials-to build on
existing digital skills and apply them
to a new environment that is always
on, constantly connected, and moving
quickly.
"Whether IoT will drastically
reshape the industry can no longer be
questioned," Shishani explained. "The
workforce must be surrounded by the
right tools and training to be able to
harness all the possibilities IoT has to
offer." MT
Mohamed Shishani is go-to-market
strategy and launch manager for
Schneider Electric's Building & IT
Business. For more information, visit
schneider-electric.us.
MAY 2017
http://www.schneider-electric.us
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maintenance Technology May 2017
