One of the problems with manufacturing health and safety records is ensuring the administration is completed accurately and in a timely manner. This can take up valuable time and resource and not allow more value added activities to be completed. Using a digital pen however can improve this situation. Whether for example completing risk assessments, site audits, accident recording or daily lift truck checks a digital pen brings a number of advantages to office and operational environments.
1. Real time information with electronic forms
Digital pens contain real ink like a conventional pen however they also record a user’s writing and transmit it to a secure server. This means that any form completed can be viewed real time on the server by work colleagues. Or auto email can be set up so electronic copies of forms can be immediately distributed once completed. Furthermore completed form information can be interfaced into third party reporting or back end office systems allowing for custom reporting. The real time information enables faster action to be taken by colleagues.
2. Work flow management
Digital pen software enables better work flow management with health and safety forms. For example completed forms may need to be checked or reviewed, signed off, or enable the next process to start e.g. root causing accidents to manage future manufacturing site risks. Real time information enables this process to be started sooner and since all digital pen information can be viewed online and in one secure place, it is easier to see what the outstanding business actions are, rather than waiting for summary reports to typed, updated, checked for accuracy and distributed.
3. Company wide visibility
Being online the digital pen forms helps improve awareness and seriousness of the work being completed. It can also be analysed at individual, plant and country level for example so workload, work priorities and work flow reminders can be acknowledged and understood.
4. Auditable documentation
Signatures, handwriting playback, soft and hard copy information make the completed forms easy to audit for copies to be retained in the business. This speeds up form filing and retrieval.
5. Permanent record
Electronic copies of forms provide a permanent record and help back up paper copies. Plus the digital pen software provides backed up online storage to help manage disaster recovery.