For robotics companies across all industries, robot data is at the heart of operations and strategy in every department- especially when operating at scale.
Between sensors, cameras, and other systems, robots ingest so much data that prioritizing which data to keep and which groups need access can feel like a monumental challenge. But how can you do so when new data pours in every minute?
Distributing the right robot data to various roles is hardly a job one can do on their own. You’ll need a robust robot platform to support your efforts and help sort the data based on priority. You may build one internally or utilize a third-party option, like Formant. Still, you’ll first need to grasp how every department utilizes data to understand proper distribution and build a solid robot data strategy.
Of course, you’ll first need to speak with each department about their data needs, as each company is unique. To get you started, below are a few overhead examples.
Engineers are the backbone of any robotics company; they are consistently working to build and improve the robot’s hardware and systems to ensure everything is performing optimally. To help them make sure robotic fleets continuously perform as best as possible, engineers need easy and quick access to all relevant data.
Robot operators are responsible for the day-to-day function of the robots: they monitor the fleet, respond to issues, and ensure that robots complete their missions. Real-time data is critical for operators to detect an error or step in as soon as possible should a robot experience a spill, but it can be challenging to sort through if not prioritized correctly.
Tech support plays a pivotal role in addressing issues and ensuring the smooth operation of a fleet. When robots are deployed across multiple environments and fleets scale, tech support is a critical function, as customers will need swift action should an issue arise. Without the proper data, support tickets could pile up and cost you customers in the end.
Customer Success (CS) is still a developing field in robotics, but don’t let that fool you- it’s integral to creating and maintaining solid customer relationships. For the CS department, customer usage and performance are some of the most vital data points needed to understand how customers are using your robots. This robot data then helps them develop a strategy for better future contracts, prepare for expansion plans, and ultimately decrease churn.
After diving into all the types of data each department needs, correctly prioritizing and distributing the right data can seem like an immense task- and without the right data backbone, it is.
Though it is possible to pull in all the data from each robot and ship it to individual departments, the burden on your team will only grow as the fleet does. Even doing so with just a few robots requires hours of painstakingly digging through data. Still, a third-party solution like Formant can help remedy the need for effective data distribution.
Our platform empowers teams to take on robot operations at scale with robust data collection at the center of our approach. You don’t need to worry about data collection, as our team will work with you to understand your data needs and tailor them so every department can access every data point they need right when they need it- keeping bandwidth costs down by prioritizing only relevant data, as well.
Providing individualized access to valuable data is critical to the success of your robotics company and your fleet’s health. Once you have a grip on how each department uses robot data, the next step is to invest in a platform that will aid you in adequately prioritizing and distributing data, as well as building a strategy around these practices.
If you’d like to learn more about how Formant can help you provide each department with the right data, get a demo.
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