# The Connected Advantage: Solving Real Problems with Hexagon's Digital Workforce, Ep #20

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2025-07-18
- Length: 42m
- Episode: 20
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep-20

## Summary

Darren Metherell, Head of Sales for Hexagon's Connected Worker team, explains how the company helps mid-sized machine shops digitize operations without ripping out existing systems. He details solutions like paperless travelers, tribal knowledge capture via digital checklists, and KPI-driven gamification to improve communication and efficiency. The conversation highlights the importance of OEE over simple spindle utilization and emphasizes a 'time-to-value' approach with low-cost, out-of-the-box software for small businesses.

## Chapters

- [2:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=168) Introduction and Hexagon Live Recap
- [5:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=337) Darren's Background and Hexagon's Connected Worker Strategy
- [8:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=483) Paperless Travelers and Eliminating Paperwork
- [11:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=689) Hill Manufacturing's Challenges and Tribal Knowledge
- [15:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=953) Dashboards, Gamification, and OEE vs. Spindle Utilization
- [22:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=1336) Quality Workflows, Inventory, and System Integration
- [28:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=1731) Capturing Tribal Knowledge and Certification
- [32:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=1948) Lights-Out Automation and Legacy Equipment Retrofitting
- [35:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=2113) Time-to-Value and Making Tech Accessible to Small Shops
- [38:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep#t=2323) Unlocking Value from Existing Systems and Future Leaders

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Hexagon (company)
- Connected Worker (product)
- Pro Shop ERP (product)
- PowerBI (tool)
- Microsoft (company)
- Aeon (product)
- JVC (company)
- Hill Manufacturing (company)
- Machine Shop Mastery (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [250: How to Uncover Your "Hidden Factory" and Extract More Value from the Plant Floor featuring Tri Tech Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Digital Transformation in Smart Factory Settings | MachineMetrics's Dave Westrom](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-09-13-digital-transformation-in-smart-factory-settings-machinemetricss-dave-westrom) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [The Great Equalizer: How Digitalization is Changing Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-11-08-the-great-equalizer-how-digitalization-is-changing-manufacturing) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [From Paper and Spreadsheets to Connected Data: Making the Digital Leap w/ Ian Burns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [206: How Maintenance Leaders and Frontline Workers Can Drive Digital Transformation with Nick Haase, Co-Founder of MaintainX](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-10-08-206-how-maintenance-leaders-and-frontline-workers-can-drive-digital-transformati) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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