The benefits of KIRK DECT in manufacturing

Increased efficiency and productivity

Where a significant proportion of the workforce are mobile or do not have a fixed desk or station a KIRK solution provides the intra site communication needed to manage the facility effectively.  A KIRK solution allows each factory floor employee to have a phone and speeds up the work of the business.  It enables direct communications between colleagues and eliminates the problems associates with overhead pagers, pocket pagers, and two way radios.

For example a KIRK solution

• Eliminates time delays - staff can call the intended party directly and eliminate time delays associated with pager systems
• Allows continuous working – staff do not need to halt work and leave their station to find a fixed telephone to respond to a page
• Increases productivity - managers do not spend time tracking down staff, freeing their time for other tasks.
• Increase line/process performance – quality control personnel can call a technician directly from the line if there is a problem
• Eliminates lost messages - messages are received directly : messages broadcast over a paging system may not be heard in the high noise level on the factory floor or in some parts of the site.
• Provides clear communications - a KIRK solution eliminates the need for overhead paging systems which are difficult to hear in the high noise level on the factory floor and/or difficult to decipher due to distortion and echo

Learn about how the management of a large dispersed electricity generation complex has benefited from deploying a KIRK solution here

Integration with monitoring equipment and other systems

Machinery, process line alarms and monitoring systems can be integrated with the KIRK solution allowing engineering and production staff to be notified immediately an error condition is detected or an event is triggered. This immediate notification cuts response times and minimises production down time which results in improved overall plant efficiency and productivity.

Achievement of production and output targets
A KIRK solution speeds up the work of quality and maintenance staff allowing production schedules to be met and output targets to be achieved. For example,

• Maintenance personnel can be contacted immediately to troubleshoot equipment problems.
• Technicians can use headsets allowing them to place calls as they work on machinery or give direction to machinists
• Production line staff can call supervisors for an immediate response to developing problems.

Voice communications in noisy environments
A KIRK solution allows communication in high noise environments where ear defenders may need to be worn and overhead paging systems would be difficult to hear. Noise attenuating headsets are available which aid communication and offer protection against external noise.

Handsets for industrial environments

KIRK handsets are designed and built for use in the workplace. They are extremely durable unlike consumer-grade phone designs. There are styles suited for use by office and production line staff.  All handsets are designed to stand up to rough handling and models are available that can withstand water spilled on them and still continue to function. There is also a handset which is qualified for use in explosive or hazardous environments making it particularly suited for use in paint shops and transport refueling areas.  The design and styling makes them ideal for use in an industrial environment where they will be in constant use and likely to be used in highly aggressive environments. With a talk time of up to 16 hours and a standby time of 200 hours the handsets can be rotated around shifts in plants operating multi shift production.  The KIRK handsets are supported with a range of accessories. A belt clip and safety line enable staff to remain hands free to do their job whilst securely carrying the handset with them. Some handsets come equipped with a headset jack and/or Bluetooth.

Inclusive coverage
A KIRK solution can be specified to provide thorough coverage throughout the entire facility; even to the outside perimeter of the buildings. ATEX rated enclosures means that coverage can be provided in explosive or hazardous areas such as paint shops or transport refueling bays.  A KIRK solution allows for communications in areas where radio and mobile phone communication is difficult due to attenuation of the radio wave by walls/partitions or warehouse storage.