# The Connected Factory Floor: L2L and Data Management

- Show: [Over the Air](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air)
- Published: 2025-01-09
- Length: 33m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/over-the-air/episodes/The-Connected-Factory-Floor-L2L-and-Data-Management-e2t7rpn

## Summary

Eric Whitley, Director of Industrial Transformation at L2L, explains how their connected workforce platform bridges the gap between enterprise ERP systems and shop-floor PLC data to provide real-time visibility into manufacturing operations. He details how L2L captures five key metrics—demand, build, scrap, labor, and downtime—to calculate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other critical KPIs for discrete manufacturers in automotive, food and beverage, and packaging. Whitley highlights the severe labor shortage in manufacturing, noting that 80% of surveyed firms report it impacts throughput, and describes how L2L’s AI tools and digital workflows help upskill workers by providing immediate, context-aware guidance on the shop floor. He also discusses the company's evolution from an in-house Excel tool at Autoleave to a global software provider, emphasizing the importance of practical AI applications that reduce wasted time and motion for mechanics and operators.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=5) Introduction: L2L and the Connected Workforce Platform
- [2:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=135) Capturing Shop Floor Data: The Five Key Metrics
- [5:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=332) Integrating Legacy and Greenfield Factories
- [8:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=531) L2L History: From Autoleave to Global Software
- [12:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=755) Customer Success: Geldwin Windows and Labor Attraction
- [14:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=874) The Manufacturing Labor Crisis and Reshoring
- [18:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=1081) Productivity Stagnation and the Role of AI
- [22:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=1344) Practical AI: Digital Workflows and Swipe Guide
- [27:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management#t=1663) Utah’s Manufacturing Ecosystem and Culture

## Topics

- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- L2L (company)
- Peridio (company)
- Autoleave (company)
- Geldwin Windows and Doors (company)
- Swipe Guide (product)
- Volkswagen (company)
- Mueller (company)
- Energizer (company)
- Dart (company)

## 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)
- [How software-defined manufacturing fits into real factory operation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-21-how-software-defined-manufacturing-fits-into-real-factory-operation) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [165: Unlocking the Full Potential of Frontline Operations, Lean Manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 with Natan Linder, Co-Founder & CEO of Tulip](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-26-165-unlocking-the-full-potential-of-frontline-operations-lean-manufacturing-and) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Before You Buy Another Spindle, Use the Ones You Have, #43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43) (Lights Out)
- [The Connected Advantage: Solving Real Problems with Hexagon's Digital Workforce, Ep #20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep) (Lights Out)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Over the Air.