The company's production facilities include a Dim Sum & Deli Factory, and an Ice Cream, Confectionery and Red Bean (Azuki) Factory. The Dim Sum & Deli Factory alone has nine different manufacturing processes.
Kento Ueshima, Deputy Plant Manager of the Dim Sum & Deli Factory, says that chat is the most important tool for sharing daily schedules and requests in a timely manner. This allows his team to continue operating 24 hours a day through the large facility's early and late shift system.
"We often use chat because we don't want to interrupt someone else's work in our production facilities, which are always busy. We can attach photos and videos to help explain processes difficult to convey in text. Chat is also very useful for reassessing the situation when sudden changes occur," Ueshima explains.
Another advantage is that in a food production facility, where bringing in personal equipment is restricted for hygienic reasons, a single company smartphone can perform all required functions without issue.
Ueshima details, "We've streamlined our workflow so that we can complete the confirmation and approval of material and equipment orders entirely through chat. We still use the phone for urgent matters, but the ability to conduct video conferences and phone calls directly from the Zoom app is very convenient."
In terms of information sharing, the company also utilizes the Zoom Rooms digital signage function*. Monitors installed in four locations in the plant display videos explaining the work content, procedures and precautions.
*Content or information displayed on a designated screen. Designed for applications like slideshows or videos on displays installed in conference rooms or waiting areas.
Ueshima also adds, "Many of our production plant employees come from countries like Brazil, the Philippines and Vietnam. Overcoming language barriers and accurately sharing information is always a major challenge. We really appreciate being able to communicate ideas sometimes difficult to understand through words and gestures alone by adding subtitles in different languages, and allowing our employees to view important video footage while they work."
Playing videos in the form of digital signage was proposed by an employee on site. Because the employees are familiar with using Zoom daily, the possibility of using Zoom Rooms came up.
Replacing or adding content is straightforward, and being able to do so without relying on IT managers is a great advantage in production facilities, where conditions change daily. "We are able to promptly convey information required each day," Ueshima explains, highlighting the results of DX in a production facility setting.
