For Krones, when 2700 technicians and more than 100 of its facilities around the world were brought to a standstill by a pandemic, the solution was augmented reality. This article was first published in Food & Drink Business July/August 2020.
Flight cancellations, quarantine regulations and entry bans rendered it almost impossible for Krones to maintain its rapid-response service support when it was most necessary. As restrictions were imposed, the demand for packaged water and healthy beverages increased.
In 2018 the company had introduced Argos Augmented Reality Support and in the most exceptional of times, the smart glasses came into their own by allowing a machine operator to have immediate contact with a Krones support specialist without face-to-face contact or travel.
Using live video and audio transmission, a technician can be on the line with the operator, providing instructions and support to bring production back on line as quickly as possible. If the technician detects a critical situation, they can alert the operator wearing the glasses immediately.
Krones software can now be run on smart glasses chosen by employees as well as certain mobile phones and tablets. This enables service support to be integrated across a plant’s existing infrastructure.
