PTC Technology Accelerates Watson-Marlow’s Digital Transformation Plans
AREA member PTC detailed how Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) have invested in Augmented Reality using their technology earlier this week. WMFTG is a UK-based leading manufacturer of fluid path technologies, with over 1700 global employees. Using PTC’s Vuforia Studio, Vuforia Chalk, and Vuforia Expert, the company is overcoming pandemic restrictions and able to continue their operations seamlessly.
The AR technology will be used primarily to support assembly skills and production transfer. This will help to kickstart new manufacturing facilities, enable a virtual sales and marketing approach, and provide remote technical support. There has been increased demand from the healthcare industry for tasks such as specialist pump supply to feed fermentation tanks used to provide COVID-19 vaccines. Alongside this, management must develop a new way of selling and marketing products.
Martin Johnston, Strategic Business Development Director at Watson-Marlow, stated that the company has been working with PTC for over five years now. He acknowledges that the pandemic has accelerated the requirement for digital transformation, AR in particular. The immediate priority for WMFTG was skills transfer; Vuforia Expert Capture enables recording of production line processes and editing in the cloud. Using wearables such as Microsoft’s HoloLens, this knowledge can then be imparted to new engineers in the form of a step-by-step guide.
Advantages of the technology mentioned by Johnston include:
- Faster set-up speed
- Significant cost reductions
- Ability to train employees to perform ‘out-of-core’ roles
- Eliminates risk of spreading COVID-19
General Manager for UK at PTC, David Grammer, added that AR is a “game-changer” for the industry when applied correctly. PTC’s Vuforia technology is said to play an important role in business. Grammer believes WMFTG’s digital transformation plan will create cost, safety, and operational benefits.
Johnston further stated that the ultimate focus will be on marketing and sales. Connecting to potential customers will be conducted via virtual shows, webinars, or demonstrating product capabilities in real-time AR.
Read the full article here, and see PTC’s AREA member profile here.