Unlocking the Next Era of Operational Intelligence: Why Workforce Data is the Missing Link

May 6, 2025 8:06:08 AM . Julia Walsh

Industrial organizations have invested heavily in automation, analytics, and digital transformation. Yet one of the most critical data streams—the actions and decisions of frontline workers—has remained largely invisible. That changes today.

At Webalo, we’re proud to announce a major advancement in industrial optimization: the ability to capture, contextualize, and operationalize workforce data in real time, alongside existing IT and OT systems. This innovation represents a pivotal shift in how companies understand performance, diagnose problems, and drive continuous improvement.

Beyond Machine Metrics: It’s Time to Capture the “Why”

For decades, OT systems like SCADA and MES have told us what’s happening on the factory floor—but they’ve never told us why. Machine performance metrics are vital, but they only provide part of the story.

With Webalo, organizations gain a new level of operational intelligence—one that bridges machine data with the human actions that drive results. By digitizing frontline workflows, decisions, and exception-handling processes, our Platform transforms workforce activity into a strategic data asset. The outcome? A more complete, more accurate picture of your operations—and a smarter foundation for predictive and prescriptive decision-making.

As our CEO, Peter Price, put it:

“Webalo’s workforce data integration with IT and OT systems creates a revolutionary new asset. It allows organizations to move from reactive firefighting to proactive, data-driven operations—elevating predictive maintenance and operational intelligence to the next level.”

Turning Human Insight into Operational Impact

Our Platform is built to surface what’s traditionally hidden: how people respond to anomalies, carry out tasks, and apply best practices. This unlocks a powerful set of capabilities:

  • Root cause clarity: Link system events to frontline activity to understand the “why” behind inefficiencies and downtime.

  • Smarter predictions: Feed human insights into AI models to enhance predictive maintenance and reduce unplanned failures.

  • Dynamic workflow optimization: Use real-time worker input to trigger automated corrective actions and adapt processes on the fly.

  • Increased workforce engagement: Deliver AI-powered guidance, drive standardization, and improve performance through gamified feedback and mobile-first interfaces.

What Analysts Are Saying

Sebastián Trolli, Head of Industrial Automation & Software at Frost & Sullivan, summed it up well:

“Webalo offers a comprehensive view combining human insights with machine data. This holistic framework improves decision-making and accelerates operational efficiency—unlocking new levels of performance and productivity.”

In short, workforce data is no longer a missing piece—it’s the key to unlocking untapped value across your operations.

The Bottom Line

At Webalo, we believe that people are the most important—and most underutilized—source of operational intelligence. By connecting workforce data to IT and OT systems, we’re empowering industrial organizations to make better decisions, faster. Whether you're focused on reducing downtime, improving quality, or increasing agility, this is the data foundation you need.

We’re not just capturing data—we’re redefining what it means to be a data-driven operation.

You can read the full press release here and download the full white paper on Webalo's data story here.