Virtual Reality – The Next Step In Supply Chain Training
THE CRITICALITY OF AN EFFICIENT SUPPLY CHAIN
An optimized supply chain in today’s world is a point of competitive parity rather than a competitive advantage. Companies spend millions of dollars to augment their capabilities in warehousing, routing, and distribution to gain an advantage over their competitors. However, the underlying commonality across all the functions of an efficient supply chain is efficient workers.
VR TRAINING FOR SUPPLY CHAIN WORKERS
While a majority of processes in the supply-chain are automated, several of the most important tasks fall on a very human workforce that works in a potentially hazardous working environment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US employs around 5 million people in transportation and warehousing. The safety and efficiency of the entire operation comes down to how well employees are trained and how confident they are in their ability to do their jobs.
VR training solutions allow employees to learn in a virtual, immersive environment where they can get several repetitions without slowing down operations or actually being in harm’s way.
Here are some VR training solutions across different occupations:
Material Handlers – A large delivery company needs to train its workers on the correct way to lift and load boxes into trailers. Using VR technology has allowed that business to train their workers without having them on the actual production lines. This avoids any downtime or disruption in the line and saves a significant amount of money.
Truck Drivers – A major player in the transportation industry uses VR training to train drivers on the ways to properly inspect their vehicles which has greatly helped them hone their skills needed for certification.
Maintenance Technicians – Several large companies are training their maintenance technicians to repair and troubleshoot various machines using VR technology. Not only can they train on a piece of equipment without having to take it out of service, they can also practice procedures in a more repeatable fashion and in a shorter amount of time. This rigorous training instills confidence in the technicians’ abilities to perform their jobs as well as reduces liabilities associated with injuries.
What supply chain applications for VR training are you seeing in your organizations?
