How AI-powered WiFi automation supports UX in manufacturing facilities

Roger Sands, CEO and Co-Founder of Wyebot, Inc.

Manufacturing companies have to be one-step ahead of supply chain challenges. With millions of consumers depending on them to provide goods quickly and easily, this is no small task. To support this goal, manufacturers have turned to technology, embracing tools such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices in larger quantities than ever before.

While these technologies promise boosted productivity and efficiency, they only deliver when they are connected to a reliable and optimized WiFi network. Without this network, the devices don’t work, and manufacturers see little to no return on investment. To ensure the WiFi meets all business needs, manufacturers can work with AI-powered WiFi automation.

What is AI-powered WiFi Automation?
AI-powered WiFi automation uses a mix of hardware and software to automate the detection, notification, and mitigation of problems in the WiFi network ecosystem. This includes connected devices, backend and frontend infrastructure, and WiFi and non-WiFi sources of interference.

With an AI-engine, a platform can learn to recognize normal and abnormal network behavior in real-time. This analysis is performed both while the platform is passively monitoring the network 24/7 and while actively running scheduled tests. After identifying a problem, the platform can proactively alert IT to the issue, often before users are impacted.

Since every second counts, whether issues impact the manufacturing floor or an administrative office, this real-time identification and mitigation is critical. With hundreds or thousands of devices connected to the network, real-time analysis can no longer be performed by all-human teams. IT professionals need the support of AI-powered WiFi automation platforms to keep networks worry-free.

How AI-powered WiFi Automation Improves UX
With a labor shortage, it’s more important than ever to improve user experience so that more employees are retained. WiFi automation supports this process in three main ways.

1. Real-Time End User Quality Metrics
End user quality metrics are obtained when a platform connects to the network as an end user device when running tests. This ensures that all analytics accurately reflect the UX at any given time. Administrators can use these analytics to identify specific pain points for users, and to adopt the technology that will best address those problems.

In addition to improving operations, these metrics also help employers help employees adjust to change. Since technology adoption can change processes employees are used to, the ability to share with employees why the change is necessary and how it will help them is beneficial.

2. Scaled Productivity
These platforms can monitor and analyze networks of 5000 or 50,000 devices. This means that manufacturers can adopt necessary technologies without having to scale IT employees at the same rate. This might mean adopting smart meters or other energy efficient devices, improved handheld scanners or tablets, or devices that analyze machine efficiency. Whatever the device, the ability to provide updated work equipment improves UX.

Platforms work 24/7, in real-time, to analyze and optimize WiFi networks so that all WiF-connected technologies can deliver a top ROI. There’s no reason to delay technology adoption with WiFi automation.

3. Reduced Remote Travel Costs
Platforms offer remote and automated troubleshooting. This allows IT to review network behaviour and troubleshoot performance issues from any location at any time. This reduces IT trips to remote sites, improving their UX; and also reduces troubleshooting times, improving user experience across a company. Finally this support saves companies money since faster resolution times equal less downtime, and less travel reduces travel costs.

Start Now
Whatever future challenges occur, the WiFi network will continue to be of the utmost importance to user experience, operational efficiency, and business productivity. Don’t wait to adopt these platforms.