SMART WORKS Framework: The Key to Effective Connected Worker Technology Selection
Welcome back to our four-part blog series on Hexagon’s Human-Centered Connected Worker (CW) Ecosystem. In this blog, we spotlight the Technology Layer—the driving force behind CW solutions that deliver personalized experiences, real-time insights and seamless interoperability.
Enhancing Hexagon’s CW Solutions through Technology
Hexagon’s CW ecosystem comprises four interconnected layers, each essential to delivering comprehensive, human-centric solutions. At its core, the technology layer answers a fundamental question: “What technological capabilities are needed to enable optimal human-centered connectivity?” Central to this layer is the SMART WORKS technology selection model, which defines technical requirements based on the most critical connected solution functionalities, ensuring the chosen technologies align with the unique demands of the CW environment.
In our previous blog, we introduced Hexagon’s process-driven architecture—a five-tiered framework designed to synchronize workflows from strategic planning to task execution. The technology layer enables the process design layer, providing essential technical functionalities that deliver the greatest value at every level.
Aligning technology with business goals is crucial for successful digital transformation. According to McKinsey & Co., companies that effectively integrate digital technologies can increase their earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (widely known as EBITDA) by up to 26%, demonstrating how strategic adoption supports profitability. Similarly, a 2023 Deloitte report highlights a 25% productivity increase and a 22% improvement in safety when advanced technologies are effectively integrated, further underscoring the relevance of Hexagon’s strategic approach to CW solutions.
Organizations can define and prioritize the most critical technology requirements by leveraging the SMART WORKS framework to review operational goals, process objectives and individual job performance targets. This ensures CW solutions are supported by essential technical capabilities, ultimately delivering impactful and user-centered functionalities.
The Three Dimensions of CW Solutions
The full potential of CW solutions emerges when they address three core dimensions:
-
CW centricity
-
Real-time access & analytics
-
Integration & interoperability
These dimensions form the foundation for effective, scalable CW investments. Given the high percentage of digital transformation initiatives that fail to meet expectations, aligning CW solutions with these dimensions is critical to addressing challenges and achieving meaningful results.
Dimension 1: CW Centricity
CW Centricity emphasizes designing solutions that genuinely address workers’ needs, preferences and challenges by ensuring tools are intuitive, relevant and engaging. Organizations adopting the centricity principle can foster higher adoption rates, increased satisfaction and improved productivity. Safety-oriented tools, engaging workflows, personalized interfaces and role-based learning are a few tactics that promote a worker-centric environment.
Table 1.0: CW Centricity
Attributes |
Explanation |
Challenges |
Affect/Statistics |
Human-Centered Design |
Success depends on user acceptance. Tools designed with workers’ needs in mind are intuitive and relevant |
Poor user experience: Produces low adoption rates |
|
Increased Adoption |
Personalization drives higher adoption and comfort |
Lack of personalization: Disengages users |
|
Enhanced Productivity |
Supportive technologies boost job satisfaction and productivity |
Inadequate training & support: Leads to underutilization |
Dimension 2: Real-Time Access & Analytics
Real-time access and analytics empower workers by providing actionable insights that optimize decision-making and enhance worker capabilities. This dimension leverages advanced analytics1 and automation to improve productivity, identify trends and enable proactive issue resolution.
Table 2.0: Real Time Access & Analytics
Attributes |
Explanation |
Challenges |
Affect/Statistics |
Timely Decision-Making |
Real-time data supports quick, informed decisions in dynamic environments |
Delayed data availability: Slows responsiveness |
|
Proactive Issue Resolution |
Analytics identify and address issues early, minimizing downtime |
Inaccurate data: Skews insights |
|
Operational Efficiency |
Streamlined workflows, driven by actionable insights, boost efficiency |
Overwhelming data: Unnecessarily burdens workers |
Dimension 3: Integration & Interoperability
Integration and interoperability ensure systems and technologies work harmoniously, facilitating comprehensive data exchange, more sophisticated collaboration opportunities and the adaptive capacity to succeed in connected environments. Scalable platforms and unified workflows eliminate silos and improve cross-functional efficiency.
Table 3.0: Integration & Interoperability
Attributes |
Explanation |
Challenges |
Affect/Statistics |
Seamless Data Exchange |
Systems communicate effortlessly, providing a holistic view of operations |
Siloed data systems: Hinder collaboration |
|
Cross-Functional Collaboration |
Enhances teamwork across departments and functions |
Compatibility issues: Incompatible systems limit workflows |
|
Scalability & Flexibility |
Adaptable systems integrate new technologies with minimal disruption |
Lack of standardization: Complicates integration |
The three dimensions of Connected Worker solutions—Connected Worker Centricity, Real-Time Access & Analytics and Integration & Interoperability—form the essential pillars for successful connected worker solutions. By focusing on these dimensions, organizations base solution design on delivering a holistic approach that resolves common challenges and empowers connected workers to concentrate on higher-value activities, ultimately enhancing productivity and engagement by eliminating mundane tasks.
Introducing the SMART WORKS Technology Selection Framework
With a thorough understanding of the three essential dimensions of human-centered connected worker ecosystems—we now turn to how Hexagon’s SMART WORKS Technology Selection Framework ensures technology choices align with these dimensions.
This framework is designed to continuously meet the evolving requirements of CW solutions. It offers a strategic, holistic approach to technology selection that prioritizes user needs, optimizes operational efficiencies and promotes seamless integration. By leveraging the SMART WORKS framework, organizations can confidently navigate the complexities of digital transformation, ensuring that their technology investments drive meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Figure 1 SMART WORKS Technology Selection Framework
Table 4.0 summarizes how each SMART attribute aligns with the CW dimensions:
Smart Attribute |
CW Centricity |
Real-Time Access |
Integration |
S - Safety & Compliance |
Intuitive safety tools that promote user adoption and compliance |
Real-time safety monitoring for immediate responses |
Seamless integration with operational workflows for efficient compliance |
M - Mobile Access & Connectivity |
User-friendly mobile apps with personalized interfaces |
Keeps workers connected and informed in real-time |
Integration with enterprise systems for consistent online/offline access |
A - Advanced Technologies |
AI/ML-driven insights for personalization and engagement |
IoT sensors and predictive analytics for instant decision-making |
Scalable architecture for integrating advanced technologies |
R - Real-Time Data & Analytics |
Task-specific insights to boost productivity |
Proactive decision-making by real-time analytics |
Smooth data interoperability across platforms |
T - Training & Development |
On-demand, interactive learning tailored to roles |
Real-time feedback for skill development |
Integrated platforms with current, aligned materials |
W - Workflow & Task Management |
User-centric digital workflows for task management |
Automates workflows with real-time prioritization |
Seamless integration for streamlined processes |
O - Operational Efficiency |
Feedback and insights drive continuous improvement |
Real-time maintenance analytics optimize resources and reduce downtime |
Scalable processes to meet evolving business needs |
R - Remote Support & Collaboration |
Personalized virtual assistance for workers |
Real-time support for instant guidance. |
Integrated communication platforms reduce downtime |
K - Knowledge Management |
Easy access to personalized repositories |
Real-time information retrieval for decision-making |
Integrated tools ensure relevant, up-to-date knowledge sharing |
S - Security |
User-centric security protocols to protect data integrity |
Real-time threat detection and response systems |
Secure integration with existing IT infrastructure for personal data protection |
These attributes form the foundation of SMART WORKS, ensuring technical solutions meet human-centered needs.
How Hexagon’s Products Align with SMART WORKS
Hexagon’s suite of products, including AcceleratorKMS, AcceleratorLXP, ETQ Reliance, HxGN EAM, j5 Operations Management Solutions and HxGN SDx2, align seamlessly with the SMART WORKS framework. They enhance CW centricity, provide real-time insights and ensure seamless integration, enabling organizations to achieve higher adoption rates and operational efficiency.
Table 5: The SMART WORKS Technology Selection Framework in Action
Attribute |
Hexagon Product |
CW Centricity |
Real-Time Access & Analytics |
Integration & Interoperability |
S - Safety & Compliance |
ETQ Reliance |
Intuitive safety monitoring and incident reporting |
Real-time safety monitoring and reporting |
Seamless integration with operational workflows for compliance |
Use Case Example A pharmaceutical company streamlined safety and compliance processes, reducing incident response times by 30% and improving overall safety compliance. |
||||
M - Mobile Access & Connectivity |
j5 Operations Management Solutions mobile capabilities |
User-friendly interface with personalized notifications |
Keeps workers connected in real-time |
Integrates with enterprise systems for consistent access |
Use Case Example An oil and gas company improved task completion efficiency by 25% and enhanced communication across teams with real-time updates and notifications. |
||||
A - Advanced Technologies |
HxGN APM |
AI/ML-driven insights for engagement and personalization |
IoT sensors and predictive analytics for decision-making |
Scalable cloud and edge computing for advanced tech integration |
Use Case Example A manufacturing plant reduced unplanned downtime by 20% and optimized maintenance schedules, enhancing overall plant efficiency. |
||||
R - Real-Time Data & Analytics |
AcceleratorKMS |
Task-specific insights to boost productivity |
Real-time data collection and predictive analytics for decisions |
Smooth data interoperability across platforms |
Use Case Example An oil and gas company was able to eliminate process flow bottlenecks with real-time analytics on related activities for their digital procedure portfolio for turnovers. |
||||
T - Training & Development |
AcceleratorLXP |
On-demand, role-specific learning to enhance worker skills |
Real-time feedback to optimize skill development |
Integrated platforms with up-to-date, aligned training materials |
Use Case Example An oil and gas company leveraged digitally embedded training content to support each procedural step, providing real-time safety content. It also repurposed all procedural content, ensuring that training aligned with real-time operational data. |
||||
W - Workorder & Task Management |
HxGN EAM |
User-centric workflows for intuitive task management |
Real-time automation for workflow visibility and prioritization |
Seamless integration for streamlined processes |
Use Case Example A utility company optimized asset management, resulting in a 30% increase in maintenance efficiency and better task prioritization. |
||||
O - Operational Efficiency |
HxGN EAM |
Navigate systems and perform tasks through user-friendly interfaces |
Analytics, dashboards, and predictive analytics |
Enabling organizations to maximize the efficiency of the entire asset operational lifecycle |
Use Case Example A transportation company reduced operational costs by 15% and improved asset utilization with real-time analytics and predictive maintenance. |
||||
R - Remote Support & Collaboration |
HxGN SDx2 |
Personalized remote assistance for enhanced engagement |
Real-time virtual collaboration for instant guidance |
Integration with communication platforms reduced downtime |
Use Case Example An engineering firm reduced downtime by 20% and improved project collaboration across teams with real-time virtual assistance. |
||||
K - Knowledge Management |
AcceleratorKMS |
Easy access to personalized knowledge repositories |
Real-time access to up-to-date information for decision-making |
Integrated tools to prevent silos and ensure information relevance |
Use Case Example A pipeline company used AcceleratorKMS to create dynamic and consolidated procedural flows (eliminating disjointed procedures), accelerating the time to access critical content and improving overall leak detection performance. |
||||
S - Security |
Hexagon Security Suite |
User-centric security protocols to protect data integrity |
Real-time threat detection and response systems |
Secure integration with existing IT infrastructure for data protection |
Use Case Example A tech firm enhanced data protection, reducing security breaches by 40% and ensuring compliance with industry standards. |
Technology Layer Conclusion
Hexagon’s SMART WORKS Technology Selection Framework demonstrates a deep commitment to aligning technology implementation with human-centric needs, ensuring innovative, practical solutions that are easy to adopt. Through its comprehensive suite of products, supported by real-world case studies, Hexagon illustrates how human-centered strategies can deliver transformative outcomes by enhancing productivity, safety and collaboration while reducing downtime.
By implementing Hexagon’s technologies focusing on human centricity, organizations can increase the predictability of success in driving transformative digital outcomes. The results presented in this conclusion section underline that successful adoption depends not just on the technology itself but also on understanding, prioritizing and committing to the human factors that foster sustained engagement and long-term value.
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