How an AI translation tool increases the efficiency of work processes
SIG Spain overcomes language barriers
As a Star Trek fan, data expert Sergio Castaño Garcia has been fascinated by the “universal translator” since his youth - a device that allows the crew of the “Enterprise” to communicate with all the cultures of the galaxy. “There are a lot of people working in our team, some of them from different nations. Not all of them speak fluent Spanish or English,” says the Head of Business Intelligence at Service Innovation Group Spain. “A universal translator like this would be just what we need.”
Smooth and fast communication between internal project managers, who are based in Barcelona, and the decentralized field workers, who are deployed throughout Spain, is extremely important at SIG Spain. “We have hundreds of employees who take care of shelf maintenance in retail stores, carry out merchandising campaigns at the POS, install in-store displays and take on tasks in the field,” says Garcia.
The universal translator is a reality
The assignments follow clearly defined processes, which the company can control precisely and largely automatically using the Celero One workforce management software. “The field worker on site receives precise information about the location, time, tasks and the result to be achieved via their mobile phone. Language barriers pose a high risk of error here and, in the worst case, cost a lot of money and time - and demotivate both the project manager and the employee on site.” Celero One is a comprehensive tool for planning, managing and evaluating the performance of decentralized teams. With the language AI integrated into Celero One, the fiction of the “universal translator” has become reality for Garcia:
“The project manager provides instructions in their native language, which can be called up by the field worker in their local language for better understanding. We have seen how both the self-esteem of our frontliners and the quality of their work have improved very quickly. Our employees are happier, our customers are happier due to the increased quality of our service and our increased efficiency gives us greater profitability.”
Integration is part of workforce management
Integration measures and employee onboarding are a major issue for Sergio Castaño Garcia. On the one hand, experienced frontline workers accompany the new employees in their work and help them find their way around more quickly on site. “On the other hand, our workforce management software Celero One enables us to ensure that our e-learning programs are completed,” says Garcia. “In this way, we not only strengthen team cohesion, but also ensure that the knowledge required on site is well communicated.”
Technology for the future
The AI translation tool integrated into Celero One has only been in use at SIG Spain for a short time, “but the feedback from users is very promising. It is easy and intuitive to use,” emphasizes Garcia. “The future is now. We are in a new era of collaboration in which Celero One enables us to work together successfully as a global team.”