Articles - L Squared

Transforming Industrial Operations with Digital Signage: Production Line and Shop Floor Innovations

Written by Gregg Forsberg | Oct 1, 2024 4:00:00 AM

The manufacturing industry contributes over $2.8 trillion to the U.S. GDP, yet many companies are still stuck in outdated processes that drain time and resources.

On any given day, a manufacturing professional balances tasks like tracking production metrics, ensuring safety compliance, and managing a team—while trying to avoid miscommunication.

With so much to handle, it’s easy to miss out on real-time updates, leading to costly delays or overlooked safety protocols. In fact, Forbes reports that manufacturers lose up to 60% of their potential due to time-consuming manual updates for inventory, production, and pricing.

Enter digital signage—a simple yet transformative solution.

Whether it’s production line digital signage or shop floor digital signage, these screens offer real-time data, safety updates, and performance metrics.

Strategically placed along the production line, digital signage helps workers stay on top of key information, enabling quick decisions that can prevent costly delays and improve safety adherence.

Key Applications of Digital Signage in Industrial Operations

Employee communication systems

Global industries are currently facing one major challenge: retaining talent.

63.3% of businesses say it’s harder to retain employees than to hire them.

However, communication seems to be the solution. Research shows that companies with high employee engagement are more profitable, and workplaces with strong engagement experience significantly lower absenteeism—by more than two-fifths.

In such a scenario, digital signage serves as a powerful tool for enhancing communication.

Whether it’s production line digital signage or shop floor digital signage, these displays keep employees informed, engaged, and motivated by broadcasting real-time updates, safety protocols, and company announcements.

Moreover, with signage industrial solutions being customizable these days, companies are able to connect with the workforce better than ever.

Business intelligence dashboards

"What gets measured gets managed." – Peter Drucker

Digital signage embodies the essence of this quote.

On the operations side of things, it has become an important tool for tracking performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Result? A 20% increase in productivity. Here's how:

With production line digital signage and shop floor digital signage, real-time updates on production volume, quality control results, and efficiency ratings are right in front of workers.

This constant flow of information encourages a culture of continuous improvement, which in turn ends up improving operational efficiency.

For management, signage industrial solutions provide business intelligence dashboards that visualize overall plant performance.

With a glance at these KPI screens, managers can identify operational strengths and weaknesses, drill down into data, and adjust strategy to address potential issues before they escalate.

Also Read: Understanding the Role of AI in Digital Signage Personalization

Job-specific data displays

Digital signage isn’t just for general announcements—it’s your go-to for job-specific data displays, giving employees real-time updates on things like inventory levels, workflow status, and order progress.

The impact is felt when everyone is on the same page and those frustrating downtime moments are reduced significantly.

With signage industrial solutions integrated into inventory systems, you can show live data on screens for all relevant teams. Automation platforms sync everything up, and touchscreens or QR codes let employees quickly access product details or request restocking with a simple tap.

Real-time updates on workflow and order statuses give employees instant visibility and allow them to adjust quickly and avoid bottlenecks.

Also Read: 10 Actionable Ways to Drive More Engagement & Productivity With Digital Signage

Innovative Digital Signage Solutions on the Production Floor

Electronic shelf labels (ESLs)

The significance of Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) in warehouse management cannot be overstated.

These nifty digital labels allow manufacturers to update and sync product information in real-time across shelves and bins.

With just a few clicks, Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) allow for instant updates to inventory data or prices, significantly reducing human error and streamlining inventory management.

Additionally, by synchronising with the company’s database, ESLs display real-time stock levels directly on the shelves, preventing stockouts and overstock. This real-time visibility also triggers alerts for low inventory.

Plus, ESLs allow for easy price adjustments on the fly—perfect for seasonal items or products nearing expiration.

Shipping and Receiving

In busy shipping and receiving docks, digital signage saves time and effort for logistics teams.

Real-time updates on shipment statuses, delivery schedules, and incoming/outgoing shipments displayed on large screens support coordination.

Moreover, by integrating production line digital signage and shop floor digital signage, warehouses can keep everything moving efficiently.

These digital signages also pull valuable data from various sources and show key metrics, safety protocols, and even company announcements, all in one place.

For shipping teams, it means faster decision-making, fewer bottlenecks, and a more efficient supply chain.

Enhancing Training and Safety through Digital Signage

Simplifying training and onboarding

Digital signage significantly improves the training and onboarding process.

We're talking about reducing time spent on manual processes and significantly boosting employee retention by more than half.

With production line digital signage and shop floor digital signage, companies can deliver real-time instructional content, making training both interactive and engaging.

Research shows that 20% of employees quit within the first 45 days, often due to poor onboarding.

However, by incorporating signage industrial solutions, companies can create a consistent, dynamic learning environment.

Additionally, safety protocols, machine operation guides, and instructional videos can be displayed across multiple locations. This will ensure that all employees receive the same high-quality information, no matter where they are.

Advanced Safety and Compliance Features

Did you know that non-compliance with regulations can cost companies an average of $5.05 million?

That’s why advanced digital signage is a must-have for displaying safety protocols, emergency instructions, and compliance guidelines in real time.

In manufacturing environments, keeping employees up to speed on safety measures is essential.

With production line digital signage and shop floor digital signage, critical information like safety protocols and compliance standards can be broadcasted instantly, helping to reduce accidents and foster a safer workplace.

Digital signage can instantly display real-time evacuation routes and containment procedures, ensuring swift, coordinated action.

These systems can also track and show compliance metrics, helping companies stay on top of regulations and avoid costly penalties.

Also Read: Corporate branding using digital signage

Future of Digital Signage in Manufacturing

Think about production lines and shop floors that don’t just show data but adjust to real-time shifts automatically.

It might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but this is the exciting future of digital signage in manufacturing. Think about personalized dashboards, AI-driven insights, and instant updates across facilities. Digital signage is becoming more tailored to each manufacturing environment.

It's transforming how factories operate, making them more responsive, efficient, and connected than ever before.

L Squared is at the forefront of this change.

With L Squared, you can deploy digital signage solutions  in as little as one hour. You'll also get 24/5 live support and customizable options. Plus, you can easily integrate apps into LSquared's flexible dashboard for real-time insights.

Ready to step into the future? Contact L Squared today.