Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

 

The COVID pandemia we have suffered worldwide has changed many ways of doing things both at work and in the home. A common practice of sharing reporting terminals in the manufacturing lines has become an unacceptable risk.
One alternative to solve this problem is to bring  your own device (BYOD) to do the reporting.
BYOD is making significant inroads in the business world, with about 75% of employees in high-growth markets such as Brazil and Russia and 44% in developed markets already using their own technology at work.
One major advantage of using your own phone is that the skill is already there: a new IT device would require training.
 

Some Possible Business Uses for an Employee's Own Smartphone

  • Workplace data collection in real time
  • Incident reporting anywhere any time
  • Repair action reporting from anywhere when it is complete
  • Value Stream Map building and validation in Gemba (where the action is)
  • Real-time Statistical Process Control
  • Real time project or manufacturing status display for all those concerned
  • Design of experiments (DOE) data collection


Workplace Data Collection

Pencil and paper data collection is still very common even in high-tech manufacturing industries
This approach, apart from being time consuming, makes it impossible to control the process in real time.
Pencil and paper collection doesn't meet the health requirements under COVID: several people need to handle the paper.
An alternative is to collect the data in a spreadsheet in the cloud (Google Drive, Onedrive, Intranet, etc.) using our own smartphone connected via WIFI.


Defects can be detected anywhere along the process but it may be inconvenient to go to the nearest terminal to report. With our own smartphone we can report the defect in a spreadsheet in the cloud but also make a photo and attach it to the file so you may avoid any additional explanations.
Timestamps of data collection can automatically be recorded which may be very useful when reporting in real time.
This approach also enables data entry validation avoiding data entry errors.



Data entry could be done with pull-down menus to avoid typing.
Timestamps can automatically be added to register the reporting time.
In case of having to enter a written clarification, text can be entered with voice from the smartphone.

Incident and Repair Action Reporting

Incidents affecting the process may take place anywhere any time. If reporting is done at a later stage time information is lost: when exactly did it happen. This information is critical when it comes to failure analysis: correlation with process parameters or other incidents, etc.
By using our smartphone we are able to report it when it happened and the timestamp can be automatically added.



The maintenance spreadsheet in the cloud can keep track both of incidents reported and repair actions by the maintenance department.
Pull down menus can be used to report the equipment, component, failure, etc. and this will enable the maintenance department to track failure frequencies and get to the root cause of problems.
Incidents can be classified by urgency to enable maintenance assign priorities. Pending actions already late are marked in red and due actions in orange.
Using a smartphone simplifies reporting of both incidents and repair actions.
Association of defect type and repair action is also possible with this integrated worksheet helping Maintenance in their diagnostic.

Value Stream Map Building and Validation

A Value Stream Map of the process we want to improve is built after visiting the line where the process takes place.
This Value Stream Map can be built in a spreadsheet in the cloud by using a smartphone from the line itself



  • The VSM is built directly in the cloud (Google Drive) and all participants visiting the line have write access with their smartphone.
  • As they move along the line they all agree on who is doing what and when.
  • Typing of the process steps in the Excel sheet can be done by voice.
  • The VSM, as it is being built, can be shown to the line operators in order to validate it.
  • After the VSM is complete the same method can be used to collect process parameters (process time, WIP, etc.) in the VSM Excel visiting the line.
  • An Excel file can be used to measure and collect process times:

You can download timeCONTROL.xlsm from OneDrive: enable Macros


Real Time Statistical Process Control

Statistical Process Control (SPC) requires real-time data collection in the different control points. It may be difficult to provide terminals in all these points to report so our own smartphone may be a valid alternative by building our SPC chart in a spreadsheet in the cloud (Google Drive, etc.)



This Individuals SPC chart applies the Western Electric rules to detect out-of-control situations in real time as the data is being entered.
This chart is visible to the operator entering the data with his smartphone and also to the operators responsible for that process step with a tablet or PC connected via WIFI to the Google Drive spreadsheet.
In this example RED indicates significant increase and GREEN significant decrease.

Real Time Project Status

In order to keep everyone involved in the process informed on how are we doing we need this information to be available and up to date at all times with Project Scheduling.
A Gantt chart can show the project plan and it could be updated by each person responsible with a smartphone. 



An Andon can be displayed in the manufacturing line to show the production status and can also be accessed from the smartphones to see how are we doing.
 

In this example:
  • Component manual insertion DPMO (Defects per million insertions) is 4124: above the target of 1500 (RED)
  • Pin-Thru-Hole wave solder DPMO (Defective solder joints per million joints) is 32: below the target of 190 (GREEN)
  • Current throughput: 13 cards/ hour at 13:55 on 15/11/2005 at the PTHHW station
With this real-time information the operators involved can react before it is too late and correct the situation.

 
Design of Experiment (DOE) Data Collection

Data collection is very critical for the success of DOE. Following the established plan is key in order to be able to draw the right conclusions later in the data analysis.
Automatic timestamp recording together with the data guarantees that experiments were performed as planned and it could also add useful information for this analysis.


Data Entry Validation

We can use the data validation alternatives provided by Excel:


In this way the reporting errors may be detected the moment they are entered and corrected on the spot.

BYOD Security Risks

It is not uncommon to find that BOYD offers employees the same level of access to corporate resources as corporate-owned devices. Exceptions include environments where the data is highly sensitive and under strict regulatory compliance requirements. In that case, IT would limit the level of access for employees using personal devices. These limitations might come up in government organizations, financial institutions that deal with sensitive data, or even top executives at an organization that may be the target of hackers. In those cases, IT departments may deploy corporate devices to help keep them more secure. (TechTarget)

Conclusions

  • The smartphones owned by employees often use a much more advanced technology than the reporting workstations which are often not very user friendly.
  • The employees' own smartphones may be used for real time data collection to avoid sharing terminals and comply with health requirements in a situation of a Pandemic.
  • Having to go to the nearest terminal to report makes it difficult to report in real time. One's own smartphone is always available wherever we are. 
  • Data collection in real time is one of the most useful smartphone applications even with no phone line connection other than WIFI.
  • Automatic data entry validation makes, on the spot error correction,  possible.
  • Since everyone already has the smartphone skills, you can easily implement these proposed solutions to control your process in real time and keep everyone informed at all times.
  • Security requirements may require use of passwords and limited access to specific data collection files for each individual.
  • Additional reading: What is BYOD (bring your own device)?
















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