October 23, 2025

From isolated systems to intelligent connected workers

Connected workers
How are asset-intensive industries turning connectivity into continuous collaboration?
For decades, heavy-asset industries have set the standard for engineering excellence by proving that reliability, precision, and safety can be achieved even in the most challenging and connectivity-limited environments.
 
Delivering the same level of excellence in digital transformation is challenging. Field teams have been relying on proven paper-based routines to keep operations running, while much of the critical data remained in control rooms. With limited network access at remote sites, real-time collaboration was often unreachable.
 
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The distance between the field and the control room was once both physical and digital, but that is no longer the case.
 
As connectivity has improved even in the most isolated industrial environments, a new era of work begins. This era is characterised by connected and remote workers who can operate seamlessly with real-time data, automated workflows,  and smart systems that assist them regardless of location.
 
A new standard for how connected workers operate

This evolution marks more than a technological milestone: it's a new way of working. Connected workers are now part of a digital ecosystem where people, tasks, and systems are continuously aligned. 

Access to live data, contextual insights, and collaborative tools allows operations to move faster and more safely. But the true transformation lies in orchestrating these capabilities by turning isolated activities into a unified flow of work across the entire organisation. 

 

This enables connected workers to:

  • Access real-time data from the field: whether it’s asset condition, operational parameters, or work orders
  • Collaborate instantly with colleagues across shifts, departments, or even continents
  • Receive contextual insights and recommendations from intelligent systems that guide their next move.
  • Work safely and efficiently, often without needing to enter hazardous zones

Connectivity used to be a barrier.
Now, it’s the bridge to a new way of working.
 
 

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The industrial worksurface

Kognitwin was envisioned to create a single operational layer that connects and contextualises data across the existing digital landscape, from sensors to enterprise systems. 

It is a unifying work surface that connects tasks, people, and insights across the organisation. Instead of jumping between systems, workers operate in one continuous environment where tasks flow naturally, from initiation to execution to completion.

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Extending reach without compromising safety for remote operations

In sectors where safety, logistics, and accessibility continue to pose ongoing challenges, remote capabilities provide a considerable advantage.

Maintenance teams can diagnose issues before sending personnel on-site. Operators can supervise processes across multiple assets from a central hub. Supervisors can approve tasks and track progress without being physically present.

This shift has a direct impact on:

  • Performance: Increasing asset utilisation and reducing downtime
  • Productivity: Minimising travel time and enabling more efficient task execution
  • Organisational value: Reducing the need for people to enter hazardous areas
  • Regulatory compliance: Enhancing safety and oversight

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Why is this so important for remote and connected workers?

For heavy asset industries, the connected workforce isn’t just an operational upgrade; it’s a strategic transformation.

Profitability in heavy-asset industries depends on performance and productivity. Every minute of uptime counts. Every maintenance delay or operational blind spot translates into cost. By investing in a connected worker strategy, leaders are investing in predictable performance, operational agility, and long-term resilience.

At the same time, organisational and strategic value are becoming key differentiators. Modern digital tools help attract and retain top talent by enabling safer, smarter, and more fulfilling work environments. 

The heavy-asset industries have entered a new phase, one in which connectivity, intelligence, and collaboration define success. The connected and remote worker is no longer a futuristic vision; it’s the cornerstone of modern operations.

By integrating industrial software platforms, we are bridging the gap between the field and the enterprise. We ensure that every decision, from the control room to the front line, is informed, aligned, and executed with precision.

Connectivity used to be a barrier.
Now, it’s the competitive advantage

Author
  • Kongsberg Digital

    Kongsberg Digital

    Kongsberg Digital is a provider of next-generation software and digital solutions to customers within oil and gas, chemicals and offshore wind. Its Industrial Work Surface, powered by the Kognitwin® platform, is redefining how industries work with data, insight and decision-making.

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