BILT > Case Studies > Siemens and BILT: Revolutionizing Training for the Next Generation of Electricians

Siemens and BILT: Revolutionizing Training for the Next Generation of Electricians

Technology Category

Actuators - Electrical Actuators
Sensors - Electrical Conductivity Sensors

Applicable Industries

Education
Electrical Grids

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Sales & Marketing

Use Cases

Virtual Reality
Virtual Training

Services

System Integration
Training

About The Customer

The customers in this case study are the electrical distributors and contractors who are the end-users of Siemens' products. These customers were facing challenges due to the global supply chain disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in longer lead times on fully assembled goods. They needed a faster, cheaper way to get products to their customers. The distributors were already assembling Siemens products using paper manuals, a process that was time-consuming and required multiple employees. The contractors, on the other hand, were participating in a competition where they had to install a large distribution panel. They were provided with traditional paper instructions, which were not as efficient or user-friendly as digital instructions.

The Challenge

Siemens was facing a significant challenge in bridging the growing skills gap in the manufacturing industry. According to a Deloitte study, 77% of manufacturers were anticipating difficulties in attracting and retaining workers, with an estimated 2.1 million jobs expected to remain unfilled by 2030. Siemens was actively seeking innovative solutions to expedite training and reskilling. The company was particularly focused on providing resources for electrical apprentices, electrical contractors, and distributors through Siemens University, the SIschool program, and VR training initiatives. However, the traditional channels of delivering this content, such as classroom instruction, textbooks, videos, and virtual reality, were not sufficient. The Covid-19 pandemic further complicated the situation by disrupting the global supply chain, leading to longer lead times on fully assembled goods. Distributors needed a faster, cheaper way to get products to their customers.

The Solution

Siemens partnered with BILT to provide a portable training platform for distributors and contractors. This innovative solution enabled knowledge transfer and mobility by integrating training into users’ phones. Siemens responded to the supply chain disruption by providing distributors with multiple components instead of fully assembled products. Distributors could then assemble these components according to customers’ varying needs. BILT's digital work instructions significantly shortened the assembly time, allowing a single employee to complete the job alone. This approach more than doubled efficiency for the install. Siemens also provided 3D instructions powered by the BILT app at the IDEAL National Championship, a competition featuring teams of electricians. The next generation of electricians, who are digital natives accustomed to instant access to information, greatly benefited from this approach.

Operational Impact

The partnership between Siemens and BILT led to significant operational improvements. Distributors were able to increase their operational efficiency, leading to faster fulfillment and higher sales. The BILT app also enabled contractors to work more quickly and efficiently. The use of digital 3D instructions was particularly beneficial for the next generation of electricians, who are digital natives accustomed to instant access to information. The app allowed them to process information more effectively than traditional methods. Furthermore, the BILT app has the potential to increase customer loyalty and improve Net Promoter System (NPS) scores, as faster delivery leads to happier contractors. Looking ahead, Siemens plans to continue listening to the individual needs of their customers and distributors and creating innovative content to remain a leader in this space.

Quantitative Benefit

The BILT app's digital work instructions shortened the assembly time from over two hours to less than 90 minutes.
The app allowed a single employee to complete the job alone, reducing the labor hours required from over four to less than two.
The BILT app more than doubled the efficiency of the installation process.