A New Era of Connected Work: Bridging Digital Instructions and the Physical Factory Floor

VKS, a world leader in Connected Worker Technology, has recently launched IO Connect. This powerful new add-on bridges the gap between manual and automated processes, combining the precision of automation with the flexibility and insight of human operators. While Industry 4.0 brought machine monitoring, it failed to connect people to the process. Industry 5.0 and IO Connect change that, seamlessly linking workers to devices, machines, PLCs, AI, and other critical assets via VKS digital work instructions.

“VKS is uniting physical and digital workflows between your people, devices, AI, and work instructions. Now, every interaction with the manufacturing environment is an opportunity for unparalleled process control, error proofing, data collection, and keen strategies for the future.” - Ryan Zimmermann, VKS Vice President

The integration is fast and simple, relying on widely used industrial communication protocols. IO Connect facilitates the flow of accurate and centralized communications between systems, intelligently connecting VKS work instructions to:

• Vision Systems
• Pick-to-light Systems
• PLCs
• Cobots
• IoT Sensors
• Machines
• Infrared Cameras
• And more.

Connected devices and machinery communicate directly with VKS, enabling the connected system to communicate with automated processes and feed crucial validation data back to the worker via the VKS interface. The process flow is harmonious and simple.

1. The worker performs a manual activity (e.g., machine set-up).
2. VKS transmits a command or request to the device/machine to verify parameters.
3. The device/machine executes the command and confirms with VKS once complete. If the device/machine reports an error, VKS automatically pauses the workflow.
4. VKS instantly records and stores the confirmation result in a report for traceability.
5. The device/machine proceeds to the next operation. The worker is then prompted to complete the next manual activity.

This solution provides a fail-safe, error-proof environment (poka-yoke) process through a unified digital/physical workflow and automated data collection. IO Connect bridges the gap between human operators and their physical manufacturing environment. This deep integration ensures every manufacturing process is validated in real-time and data-rich. IO Connect gives companies the power to automatically advance workflows, eliminate manual errors, boost operational performance, and develop intelligent strategies based on continuous, real-time feedback.

About VKS

VKS (Visual Knowledge Share) is a leading innovator in digital work instruction and connected worker technology. Backed by over 50 years of manufacturing experience, VKS is a software platform designed for manufacturers by manufacturers. Since being developed by a talented team of software engineers in 2012, the VKS Work Instruction solution has rapidly grown into an international company serving customers in over 30 countries around the world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251203594124/en/