Workflows at Work: Manual and Automated Operator Rounds

The Challenge of Manual Operator Rounds

Operator rounds are visual inspections essential for plant operation. However, paper checklists introduce inefficiencies and risks.

Paper-based processes can lead to:

• Limited Visibility: You get no real-time or historical insights into issues or task progress.
• Data Inaccuracy: Subjective descriptions and manual transcription increase error risk.
• Time Consumption: The entire process, from data collection to transcription, consumes significant time.
• Communication Gaps: Tracking changes and managing shift handovers become disorganized without a central system.

These issues can result in unplanned shutdowns and increased operational costs.

How HUVR Improves the Workflow

HUVR’s Reliability Automation Platform addresses these challenges by digitizing operator rounds. Our platform integrates with existing systems, tracks asset changes, and centralizes workflow management.

This digital approach also enables automated operator rounds using robots, such as quadrupeds or drones. The robots perform inspections, allowing human technicians to focus on other tasks.

Setup: Streamlined and Secure

Digitizing your inspection workflow is straightforward with HUVR’s support team. We help build digital checklists and projects configured to your specific requirements. Our platform is adaptable, ensuring projects align with industry standards and provide necessary guidelines for technicians.

• Consistent Data: Checklists ensure uniform data from the field, regardless of the inspector.
• Access Control: Our tiered access model ensures users only access relevant projects and data, maintaining security.
• Centralized Monitoring: Project leads can monitor progress across multiple inspections using configurable dashboards for current insights.

Execution: From Field to Digital Record

Once inspection projects are set up, your team can begin rounds. Technicians use the InspectFlow+ app on standard mobile devices to access checklists. With offline capabilities, inspections can be completed without internet access, and findings uploaded once connectivity is restored.

• Field Inspections: Technicians record visual details, gauge readings, and capture photos and videos directly in the app, providing a clear record of asset conditions.
• Efficient Shift Changes: Progress tracking and a digital record of command in the project view support smooth shift transitions.
• Automated Inspections: Paths can be programmed for quadruped robots to conduct site inspections, capturing video and checking assets. This optimizes human technician time.

Once data is uploaded, the HUVR platform notifies relevant personnel that an inspection is complete, making results accessible.

Remediation: Timely Action

With HUVR, reports generate quickly from collected field data for review. This allows personnel to review findings and initiate repair orders promptly. The system provides immediate insights, enabling teams to reallocate time to other tasks.

• Historical Data: If no issues are found, the system stores asset condition information for future reference.
• Issue Resolution: If an issue is identified, personnel review findings through integrated reports and take appropriate action. The resolution process is documented, and historical data can be transferred to other systems via HUVR’s API and integrations for a comprehensive view.

Outcome: Improved Productivity

By using HUVR’s manual and automated operator rounds, teams improve efficiency and optimize time. Our platform replaces paper checklists, supports smooth shift transitions, and reduces time spent on field and office activities.

These improvements contribute to increased productivity.

To learn more about our workflows or speak with an expert, explore our latest installment of the Workflows at Work series or schedule time with a HUVR expert here.