Google Glass – A new purpose
Google has officially announced the reintroduction of Google Glass, but this time as a workplace tool under the new name of Glass Enterprise Edition. After its initial introduction, the device did not receive the reaction from consumers Google had hoped. As a result, the company decided to rebrand, targeting corporate consumers. The new edition has already been tested and deployed in many factories across the US. by companies such as Boeing and DHL. The repurposed device includes an updated camera and a longer battery life, as well as design and hardware improvements to make it more suitable for the new consumers.
Google has already released data showing how the device has improved work output at different companies. For instance, production times have been reduced by 25% and inspection times by 30% from the use of the device at the agricultural machinery manufacturer, AGCO. This is due to eliminating the need to access checklists or view instruction manuals in other locations or on tablets and laptops while working. This information can, instead, be gathered and seen immediately through the Glass device. It has also improved efficiency between 8-12% at GE Aviation in Cincinnati, US. Google is continuing to show how the device can now benefit workers in the fields of manufacturing, logistics and healthcare.
Read more on the new Glass Enterprise Edition here.
Supply chain statistics
This week, an extensive report has revealed shocking statistics on child labor and climate change concerns within companies. The Economist Intelligence Unit for Standard Chartered, the producer of the report, interviewed 100 respondents from each participating country and place around the world. These countries included China, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US, as well as Hong Kong and South Korea.
Of those surveyed, only 22% are actively addressing child labor concerns in their supply chains. This is a very low percentage when compared to the estimated 150 million children currently involved in child labor around the world. The research has shown companies focusing on other faults in their supply chains, such as workplace safety and waste reduction rather than the sourcing of materials from countries affected by conflict and violence. It was also revealed that only 23% of the participants are actively tackling climate change, a huge majority lacking focus on environmental practices. The report emphasizes the need for banks and companies to do better when addressing sustainable supply chain practices and that there is no excuse for not focusing on hard to tackle problems throughout the supply chain.
Find out more on the report in the link here.
Expand and Innovate
DHL CEO, Ken Allen, revealed at a conference in Brooklyn, New York, this week that the company is set to further enter the American market this year. DHL will begin plans to open its first US-based Innovation Center in Chicago in October of this year. At its current Innovation Center located in Bonn, Germany, the company has already created valuable contributions and solutions for its practices. One example is the EffiBOT, a cart that follows the worker to aid them in picking and carrying loads within warehouses, which will soon be implemented across DHL’s platforms.
The opening of DHL’s US Innovation Center will put pressure on locally based logistics providers such as FedEx and UPS. It could help to accelerate innovations for DHL and the other companies due to the increase of competition, resulting in more nimble supply chains and the addition of new technologies to optimize the logistics processes.
More information can be found here.
Have a great weekend!
Header Photo: ESB Professional/shutterstock.com
