Optimize Operational Communication in Manufacturing with Digital Signage

In today's technologically advanced world, communication methods have to do more with less to be successful in the workplace — this holds especially true for the manufacturing industry, where streamlined operations and real-time information exchange are crucial. 

In frontline industries like manufacturing, effective operational communication boosts productivity, safety, and overall success. However, traditional communication methods often fall short in meeting the unique demands of fast-paced frontline employees. 

80% of the global workforce is deskless, with limited access to company emails or even lacking a company email address entirely. Not only this, but only half (55%) of frontline workers feel connected to their organization’s headquarters. The need for a line of communication that can bring frontline employees “in the loop” of a company has become more and more apparent. 

Enter digital signage – a cost-effective, easy to use and powerful tool that streamlines the way businesses communicate, collaborate, and thrive. Digital signage can transform your organization’s communication in four key areas:

• Real-time information,
• Safety notifications,
• Employee engagement and
• Training and skill development.

Read on and see how digital transformation, via screens that communicate, can increase the output, profits and well-being of your manufacturing floor.

Real-Time Information Dissemination

A manufacturing floor, brimming with activity, illustrates the fact that every second counts. Traditional communication methods, like posters or bulletin boards, struggle to keep up with the need for instantaneous information updates — even if it were possible to continuously update them, it’s not logical or efficient. 

How would a manufacturing floor broadcast Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which are critical to track performance and ensure targets are met? 

Just ask one of our customers, a large-scale beer manufacturer, who uses ScreenCloud to display information regarding packaging lines, brew tanks, and emergency in-the-moment announcements.  

One of the biggest benefits of ScreenCloud’s digital signage solution is that the screens can be updated any time, anywhere, with any content. You can build automated dashboards with Klipfolio, Smartsheet, Airtable and show live data with ScreenCloud Playgrounds. With live automated dashboards, digital signage can be a secure shared communication method where you’re able to ‘set it and forget it’.  

Screens strategically placed throughout a manufacturing floor can display up-to-the-minute KPI data, such as production output, quality metrics, and efficiency rates. Employees can instantly see their progress, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. Seeing the empirical, data-driven feedback in real-time motivates them, driving up productivity and creating a healthy sense of competition among teams.

Digital signage can also showcase production schedules and any changes in workflows, enabling employees to adapt quickly. For instance, if there's a sudden shift in priority or a new product launch, digital signage can display revised schedules and instructions, ensuring everyone is on the same page. By keeping employees informed, digital signage minimizes confusion, reduces downtime, and maximizes operational efficiency.

Example content for real-time information dissemination:

• A digital signage screen near the production line displaying a live counter showcasing the number of units produced so far that day, motivating employees to achieve their targets.
• An interactive digital signage display in the break area showing the real-time production schedule and any updates, enabling employees to plan their breaks accordingly and stay informed about workflow changes.

Safety and Emergency Notifications  

Safety is a top priority in manufacturing, where adherence to strict protocols can make the difference between life and death. Digital signage proves to be an invaluable asset in promoting a safe working environment by displaying important safety guidelines, reminders, and emergency notifications.

Static safety posters tend to go unnoticed, but dynamic digital signage grabs attention — digital displays garner 400% more attention than static media. Digital signage can remind employees about the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), demonstrate proper safety procedures, and highlight potential hazards in the workplace. Visuals can be accompanied by compelling statistics and real-life examples, emphasizing the importance of compliance and driving a safety-first mindset.

Due to the quick and bite-sized nature of digital signage, it’s also one of the safest ways to communicate with a deskless workforce. For example, screens are able to broadcast important yet concise information, playing to the strengths of an employee’s processing fluency and only taking a fraction of the time to understand compared to an inaccessible email or windy explanation via email or word of mouth. 

In the event of emergencies, such as equipment malfunctions or power outages, digital signage becomes a lifeline for communication. Screens throughout the facility can display urgent notifications, evacuation routes, and emergency contact information. By providing clear and concise instructions during high-stress situations, digital signage ensures employees can respond swiftly and safely.

Example content for safety and emergency notifications:

• A digital signage screen at the entrance displaying rotating safety messages, such as "Safety first: Wear your PPE!" or "Stay alert, accidents hurt," accompanied by visuals of employees wearing appropriate safety gear.
• During power outages, digital signage screens throughout the facility show step-by-step instructions for emergency lighting usage, emphasizing the importance of locating and activating backup systems.
• When a safety policy is updated, digital signage can be quickly refreshed to inform employees of the most relevant changes. 

Employee Engagement 

Over half (51%) of non-managerial frontline workers don’t feel valued by their employer, and over four out of ten (42%) of frontline employees feel like their work goes unnoticed. With employees feeling detached from their employer, it makes it all the more easier for them to find employment elsewhere — a process that can cost 100 to 200% of the replaced employee’s salary.

Through digital signage, manufacturing facilities can preemptively tackle the issue of disengaged employees. Since four out of ten (41%) frontline employees want to use technology to fix communication issues, screens won’t be a large hurdle for teams to overcome and may even be celebrated. 

With ScreenCloud’s 150+ templates, any organization can easily create a screen to celebrate employee achievements, highlight success stories, and promote a positive work environment. Digital signage can display real-time data on individual or team accomplishments, such as meeting production targets or surpassing quality standards. By publicly recognizing these achievements, digital signage creates a sense of pride and motivates employees to strive for excellence.

Additionally, digital signage can be used to share internal news, company updates, and upcoming events. Screens in foot traffic-heavy areas, like break rooms or common gathering spaces, can display messages about employee birthdays, anniversaries, or team-building activities. By highlighting the human side of the organization, digital signage fosters a sense of belonging and encourages collaboration.

To further engage employees, interactive digital signage displays can be implemented. These displays can feature employee spotlights, where individuals are interviewed about their roles, experiences, and contributions. By giving employees a chance to share their stories, digital signage facilitates connection and strengthens the sense of community within the organization.

Example content for employee engagement and recognition:

• A digital signage screen showcasing an "Employee of the Month" spotlight, with a photo and a brief interview highlighting their achievements and contributions to the team.
• A display that congratulates the team for the quarter’s highlights, such as record-breaking sales, or positive customer feedback.
• An interactive digital signage display near the entrance inviting employees to submit suggestions or ideas for process improvement, with real-time feedback being displayed and recognized.

Training and Skill Development

Engagement isn’t the only thing crucial to employee retention — 41% of deskless workers name career advancement, or lack thereof, as a catalyst to leaving. Alongside this, nearly half (48%) of deskless workers do not feel they have career growth/advancement opportunities. The employees have spoken, and they want continuous learning and skill development. 47% of frontline respondents want to use technology to improve employee training; employers can deliver on this want with digital signage and delivering training programs/educational content in an engaging and accessible manner. 

Instead of relying solely on traditional, time-consuming training sessions or manuals, digital signage screens can be used to display instructional videos, interactive modules, and step-by-step guides. For example, a digital signage screen near a specific machine can provide visual instructions on how to operate it safely and efficiently. This enhances learning outcomes by providing employees with on-demand access to relevant information, ensuring consistent understanding and adherence to best practices.

Training and upskilling not only strengthens workers, but also overall companies; employees feel more connected to company goals, missions and values when trained. With employees empowered by technology and more likely to stay, using digital signage to upskill current workers helps the company save money on recruiting and hiring a new employee, and employees generally feel more engaged at work when they’re offered development opportunities.  

Example content for training and skill development:

• A digital signage screen in the training room displaying short instructional videos on equipment maintenance, troubleshooting techniques, and safety protocols.
• A digital signage display in the production area demonstrating step-by-step procedures for new product assembly, helping employees quickly adapt to changes in the manufacturing process.
• For more in-depth training, digital screens can advertise training workshops, provide a feedback channel on what they would like to upskill or even have information for upgrading certain certifications and licenses.

Conclusion

Digital signage has emerged as a game-changer in operational communication, particularly in industries like manufacturing where efficiency and safety are paramount. By leveraging the power of real-time information dissemination, safety notifications, employee engagement, and training, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce and achieve remarkable results.

From displaying live KPI data to promoting a safety-first culture, from recognizing employee achievements to facilitating interactive training experiences, digital signage offers endless possibilities for enhancing operational communication in manufacturing and beyond. Organizations can create a more informed, engaged, and productive workforce, driving success in an increasingly competitive landscape. 

Is your organization considering digital transformation in the way you communicate? If so, it's time to embrace the digital signage revolution and get ready for a brighter, more connected future in your industry.

Revamp Your Internal Communications with ScreenCloud

The use of digital signage has proven to be one of the most effective ways to communicate quickly, effectively, and securely across your various locations. This is why 9,000+ businesses use ScreenCloud as their preferred digital signage provider.

ScreenCloud works with a wide range of customers in different industries that include: manufacturing, education, corporate, events, fitness, hospitality, retail, and more. 

To know if digital signage will work well for your business, start a free trial today. All you need to do is sign up with your email and get a 14-day free trial.

You may also book a demo where you'll see how to:

• Manage multiple screens across multiple locations
• Utilize ScreenCloud's content management system
• Securely displaying business-critical information
• Choose affordable and suitable hardware options
• Create a business case to demonstrate the ROI of digital signage for your organization