A digital visit
A different kind of factory tour
Real impressions digitally packaged. Blumenbecker is launching a new tour format. As an alternative to the classic factory tour, there are personally guided virtual tours of Blumenbecker's production facility.
It all started in 2016, when Blumenbecker published some 360-degree photos of the switchgear production in Beckum on its website. This approach has now resulted in the virtual factory tours that Blumenbecker Automatisierungstechnik has been organising since the beginning of the year. "We want to give customers, interested people and applicants the opportunity to meet us in person, even from a great distance, and to get a realistic insight into our work," explains Thomas Schmitz, Head of Global Key Account Management, who moderates the tours.
Virtual tours for small and large groups of visitors
This morning, almost 20 people turned up on the video meeting platform Teams for the digital factory tour. On some dates there were even more than 40, according to Schmitz. In principle, the number of participants is open to increase. "This is a declared advantage of the digital format," says Schmitz. He first welcomes the visitors in front of a photo of the main entrance. After he has introduced the outside area via a 360-degree pan, he switches to the next view. The group of visitors is now in the reception area, from where, after a few introductory words, they continue into the office wing.
Selective involvement of experts
It quickly becomes clear that the presentation is more than just a series of photographic panoramas. On the screens of the office workplaces shown are presentations, graphics and drawings that can be called up or played back. Schmitz uses them to illustrate the work of the individual departments - from CAD design to the software department to work preparation. In response to a participant's question about the enrichment of article master data records, Schmitz quickly connects his colleague from the software department, who has developed the software and is now explaining it. After this excursion, the group switches to production with another click and is guided through all the production areas from materials management to loading, just like in a classic factory tour.
3D animations photos and film sequences convey additional information
Repeatedly, 3D animations, photos and short film sequences supplement the 360-degree insights to illustrate work steps and processes or to deepen individual topics. The product film 'Digital Order Picking', for example, takes visitors to a customer's construction site. They see how the components, which are marked with a QR code in advance at Blumenbecker and in some cases pre-assembled, simplify the electrical installation on site. The internal electronic customs clearance and the documentation of load securing are also explained with film sequences.
Responding to individual needs
Schmitz particularly appreciates the flexibility of the digital format: "I can react quickly and tailor the presentation exactly to the interests of the group of visitors." This also means overcoming spatial distances with a click, switching back and forth between parts of the building or presenting the international locations or individual customer projects as needed. Questions are answered verbally or via the chat function.
Digital tour format arrives
The question is how the digital tour is received by the visitors. The feedback from the group is positive. "The participants get a realistic and varied impression of the company, but the media options cannot always replace a personal encounter," Schmitz sums up. For this reason, Blumenbecker will offer both tour formats in parallel in future.
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