It sounds trite and obvious, but it’s true: Every workplace and situation is unique. So while our expertise and experience gives us a great starting point, starting with a pilot and then scaling up based on what we learn is usually how we partner with new clients. 

In fact, nearly every Modjoul client starts with a pilot, a highly collaborative process during which Modjoul strategically integrates our solution and patented technology into the workplace. During the pilot phase of a deployment, we ensure our new customer can take full advantage of the array of features our solutions provide that help build a safer and more efficient workplace. 

During the pilot, we put a premium on ensuring a seamless installation of equipment. We work with you to ensure we are minimizing disruption to your operation. We combine that with in-depth education on the metrics and improvements achieved to build trust with your workforce. The pilot deployment serves as an abbreviated opportunity to learn what is possible with a broad deployment across the workforce.

Here’s how it works:

1. Pilot Modeling Phase

• Measures ergonomic performance and physical movements such as bending and twisting
• Uses haptic alerts when needed to correct ergonomic performance and avoid injury
• Provides real-time data to allow supervisors to quickly respond to problem areas

2. Pilot Phase:

• Analysis: Through both ongoing data analysis and feedback with the client, identify what is working well, as well as lessons learned.

3. Scaling Modeling Phase

• Budgeting: Along with company management, determine how to allocate the budget to maximize results going forward. (Eg, commit entire budget to entire operations at one site or to specific operations across multiple sites.)
• Reporting: As a pilot grows, so do the number of users. With increased users, comes increased amounts of data to understand. Reporting tools are critical to be able to act on the data that is collected. Whether it’s dashboards to monitor the performance and effectiveness of the program, or custom alerts and messages delivered to front-line leaders to ensure engagement and compliance with the program.
• API Integration: Identify and develop a plan to integrate Modjoul data into the client’s systems
• Logistics Planning: Research and develop a plan for shipping and other logistical considerations. Identify any restrictions or relationships the client has with shipping companies, and develop a timeline and budget.

Interested in learning more?

Contact us to schedule a demo, ask questions about our pilot process, or just to start a conversation about your situation and needs! We’d love to hear from you.

The post Nearly Every Modjoul Client Starts With a Pilot appeared first on Modjoul.

But while injury prevention is the primary goal, that’s not all the SmartBelt does. In fact, depending on the industry and particular job being performed, the SmartBelt includes a range of what some of our clients have described as “hidden features,” all of which promote increased workplace safety and efficiency. 

We prefer the term additional features, but however you want to describe them, they certainly help make the SmartBelt exactly that.

Just to recap, you already know that the SmartBelt:

• Measures ergonomic performance and physical movements such as bending and twisting
• Uses haptic alerts when needed to correct ergonomic performance and avoid injury
• Provides real-time data to allow supervisors to quickly respond to problem areas

In addition, the SmartBelt can be programmed to:

• Increase the safety and security of lone workers. The SmartBelt can detect inactivity and send an alert to a supervisor or other team member in the event a lone worker has fallen or otherwise become debilitated. The SmartBelt is also equipped with an alert button that can be pressed to send for help.
• A SmartBelt button can also be programmed to be used by workers to alert supervisors of maintenance or other concerns on the line or in their area.
• When used as part of our Haloguard system, the SmartBelt provides additional equipment location, downtime and utilization insights that help to improve efficiency as you improve safety.

Want to learn more?

Request a demo or get in touch to start a conversation today!

The post SmartBelt’s Hidden Features appeared first on Modjoul.

While every workplace is different, there are some questions that apply nearly across the board. So we sat down with Client Strategy & Solutions Manager Hunter Burgett to talk about our forklift safety solution. And we would welcome the opportunity to dive deeper into your specific situation and discuss how Modjoul’s forklift safety solution fits into your overall workplace safety approach!

Question: Walk through the setup of the Modjoul forklift safety system. How long does it take to get the system integrated into a workplace?

Hunter Burgett: Our setup process is very streamlined to minimize the amount of downtime to a company’s forklift operations. Installation takes 15-20 minutes per forklift. The installation process starts with identifying the ideal position for both the forklift module (antenna) and driver box. Once identified, two clamps are put in place to secure the forklift module and driver box to the forklift. After this is completed, the power cable is tied into the forklift power system using wire tappers. This eliminates cutting any of the forklift wires and speeding up the installation process. 

Q: What has Modjoul learned about forklift accidents? What are some common underlying causes?

HB: Even with companies limiting their speed, forklifts travel much faster than people walk. This significantly reduces the amount of time for a pedestrian to react when they find themselves in a dangerous position. Many facilities must maximize the amount of space they have. As a result,  aisles can be narrow and there are often racks stacked much higher than an average person’s height. This can cause blind spots throughout facilities, which leads to more risky interactions between people and forklifts. 

Q: How much equipment/how many pieces of equipment are a part of the Modjoul system? What does each do?

HB: There are three major components of the Modjoul system:

• Forklift Anchor Module (antenna): This houses the PCB and antennas for the forklift system. The antennas use Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology to communicate with the wearable and detect when they are in proximity to each other. 
• Driver Box: Connected to the forklift anchor module, the driver box provides both audio and visual alerts to the forklift operator. When a pedestrian or another forklift enters the low proximity zone, a yellow screen appears with an exclamation mark, signaling that a pedestrian or forklift is nearby and to be alert. A red screen with an ‘X’ will appear accompanied by an audible warning whenever another forklift or pedestrian has entered the high proximity zone. This level of warning should be used by the driver to use extreme caution and be aware of their surroundings because another forklift or pedestrian is very close, even if they are unable to see them (view obstructed by rack for example).
• Wearable: Our wearable is worn by pedestrians. They can be worn in multiple locations to best serve the user (belt, vest pocket, lanyard holder). The wearable also uses UWB technology to communicate with the forklift system. Pedestrians with the wearable will receive an alert in the form of a vibration, an audible warning tone and a flashing light once they enter the high proximity zone. 

Q: What kind of data does the forklift system provide?

HB: The system measures the number of high and low interactions between forklifts and forklifts to pedestrians. The system also measures forklift utilization time (% used in a 24-hour period).

Q: What kind of results have you seen so far?

HB: The UWB chip provides extremely accurate results in the workplace and provides confidence to our customers. In addition to closely monitoring the safety of associates, the comprehensive data acquired also facilitates the assessment of forklift efficiency and productivity.

If you would like an assessment of your workplace risks or to see a demo of any of our solutions, we would love to start a conversation with you. Complete the form below and one of our client strategy and solutions experts will be right back in touch!

The post Forklift Safety Q+A with Hunter Burgett appeared first on Modjoul.

Question: How long have you been with Modjoul?
Praveen: I have been with Modjoul for about 6 years now. 

Q: Tell us about your role. What does the Head of Data Science do?
P: My main responsibility is to lead a team of data scientists, data engineers and software engineers that builds, deploys, and maintains machine learning models for Modjoul. It involves building the team, making sure that everyone’s potential is understood and utilized, as well as making sure that they can grow and flourish. I am also responsible for making sure that best practices are followed when it comes to the ideation, development, evaluation, and deployment of data science applications. 

Q: For people who may read this who are thinking about their career plans or future, what kind of education and training is needed for your type of role?
P: The role requires many technical and non-technical skills. The most important requirements are expertise in machine learning algorithms, data science concepts, programming languages such as python, and cloud compute. Other general skills include problem solving abilities, ability to learn new skills as the data science world changes, and ability to work with quantitative data. In addition, managing a team with different backgrounds and skill sets can be challenging. The data science field is evolving fast, so one needs to keep up with the trends and new tools.

Q: What attracted you to work for Modjoul?
P: What I find most attractive is that the work we do at Modjoul impacts people in a positive way. Modjoul is aggressive and nimble when it comes to product development. These are the things I find most attractive.  

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
P: Modjoul’s products are designed around customers’ requirements, and consequently, the technology that we invent helps solve their everyday problems. It is a very satisfying feeling to know that our work impacts people positively. 

On a day-to-day basis, there is always a challenging task or job at work. I get motivated by challenges and draw energy from them. It is also rewarding to know my work helps other teammates. For example: building a relationship with a customer, winning a deal from a customer, or solving a teammate’s problem. 

Q: While collaboration is an integral part of the culture at Modjoul, it seems like the Data Science team plays an especially critical role in that. How do you collaborate with the technology team on the solutions development side? And how do you collaborate with the client strategy team once solutions are integrated in a client’s workplace?
P: Yes, collaboration is indeed an integral part of the data science team. The data science team primarily works with sensor data, and the output that we produce is what customers see on their dashboard. This means that there is a need to integrate the data science system with the hardware, firmware, cloud infrastructure as well as the software system. My team and I regularly meet with the technology teams that are responsible for the hardware, firmware and software system, and we make sure everything is operated in tandem. This takes a lot of planning, knowledge, experience, and most importantly relationships with other teams. 

As for the client strategy team, our collaborations are mainly in two areas – for developing new features and for reporting data. The first one typically is client driven, and my team helps the client strategy team in achieving their goal of delivering what a client requires. It could be adding a new feature to the model, or getting an insight that the client wants from the data. The second area is helping the client strategy team with creating custom reports, automating them, etc. This saves them a lot of time preparing these reports, so they can utilize their time more effectively. 

Q: When you think ahead to the future, what are you excited about in terms of Modjoul’s evolution? What are some areas you think the company could grow into moving forward?
P: I believe the most exciting thing is the growth opportunities for Modjoul and the teammates. Modjoul actively develops many new products and for many of them, the growth potential is high. I believe the most challenging thing would be to grow organically, in a healthy way.   

Q: What are your interests or hobbies outside of Modjoul?
P: I spend a lot of time in nature, especially around hikes. I watch football (college and NFL) games. I also have an interest in music, which spans a wide variety of genres. I really like coding, and I often do it outside my work. 

If you would like an assessment of your workplace risks or to see a demo of any of our solutions, we would love to start a conversation with you. Complete the form below and one of our client strategy and solutions experts will be right back in touch!

The post Team Spotlight: Q&A with Praveen Nedumpully, PhD appeared first on Modjoul.

Perhaps none bigger than the one we’re announcing today:

The granting of patent protection for the Modjoul SmartBelt, our belt-based safety wearable device. Additional patents are pending for our proprietary technologies and solutions.

This initial patent represents not only the legal safeguarding of the SmartBelt in the safety wearable market, it is confirmation of the technological innovation inherent in its development and in how it measures workplace ergonomics and movements such as lifting, twisting, bending, driving, and more.

Of course, it takes a big team to get to this point. In this case, the Modjoul team includes our legal partners at Davis Wright Tremain, who worked for six years with determined diligence to secure this patent approval.

This patent underscores our commitment to advancing safety and efficiency in various industries, and we look forward to continuing our journey of innovation and excellence.

Curious to learn more? Check out the details of our SmartBelt technology!

The post Modjoul Technology Granted Patent appeared first on Modjoul.

We know what you’re probably thinking: Nice words, but what exactly does that mean for me? Glad you asked! Here’s just one real-life example:

During one of our regular data review and status meetings with a longtime workplace safety client, an unrelated issue they were making little progress addressing surfaced: scores of the handheld scanners and other devices employees at this distribution facility used were being misplaced or otherwise lost every single month.

These equipment losses amounted to more than $200,000 in real costs annually!

“You have a solution for that?” asked a facility operations manager toward the end of our meeting, not expecting that we would.

Our team went to work, customizing a track-and-trace asset management system to stem the tide of lost, misplaced or stolen devices at the facility.

Modjoul implemented a track-and-trace system pilot. Prior to the pilot, the warehouse was sustaining losses of approximately nine scanners each week. During a 10-week period in early 2022, the warehouse lost 88 scanners.

The cost of the system installation created an annual break-even point of fewer than 50 asset loss preventions. In the warehouse pilot, the system paid for itself in the first month!

Results also included:

• During the first eight weeks of the pilot, Watchdog reduced the number of scanners lost a total of seven, or less than one scanner per week.
• During the first 36 days of the pilot, the number of exit detections per day (7-day average) decreased by 64 percent (from 25 to 9).

And these ROI results do not include loss of productivity/lost time while waiting for available assets. This particular client is far from alone. Companies across a vast array of industries confront the challenge of lost, misplaced, or stolen assets such as laptops, finger scanners and two-way radios or receivers. Many of these assets are accidentally taken by employees who forget to turn them in at the end of their shift. Most of these assets never return. Indeed, asset loss is prevalent at nearly every warehouse, plant, distribution center, construction site, or other facility where they are used. Asset loss:

• Increases operating costs
• Decreases associate productivity
• As a result, compromises a company’s ability to meet KPIs

So how does Modjoul’s asset track-and-trace system help?

While operations assets such as scanners represent a significant capital cost and play an essential role in workplace operations, most facilities today lack either the infrastructure, the processes, or both, to effectively prevent asset loss.

Modjoul’s track-and-trace system is a turnkey approach that fills that gap.

The system relies on radio-frequency identification (RFID) to identify and track assets such as scanners and two-way radios. The complete system is comprised of:

• RFID readers
• RFID antennas
• Passive RFID tags attached to assets and linked to unique serial numbers
• A cloud-based software platform
• In addition, the system is equipped with a visual and audio alarm system that provides real- time feedback if an asset approaches an equipped exit. The result is a complete RFID platform for asset management.

Have a loss prevention or safety challenge you’d like to discuss with our team of problem-solvers? Reach out to us today!

Want to learn more about the system? Download our white paper here!

The post Case Study: Modjoul Solves Client’s Asset Loss Problem appeared first on Modjoul.

Question: How long have you been with Modjoul?
Itmenon: I have been with Modjoul for 7 years and 3 months. I was the first employee to join Modjoul at its inception in 2016.

Q: Tell us about your role. What does the Head of Technology do?
I: I primarily work with the tech teams (electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical and the software engineers) to ensure the product line offered by Modjoul follows our overall vision and customer expectations. I also work with our manufacturing teams overseas to ensure the build processes are in accordance with industry standards while optimizing costs. Another part of my role includes interacting with the technical teams from the customer side to answer any questions that helps them move forward.

Q: For younger people who may read this who are thinking about their career plans/future, what kind of education and training is needed for your type of role?
I: First and foremost, it’s crucial to grasp the technical nitty-gritty of how products operate. I handle electronic devices and sensor technologies, and my background as an electrical engineer is a big advantage in this regard. Understanding the products means delving into the fine details of hardware operation and extending all the way to how products connect with customers and enhance the user experience. While you don’t necessarily need a degree in every field related to product development, having a high-level understanding of the various components involved in the product can be helpful.

Q: With your skills and education, you could have gone in several directions. What attracted you to Modjoul?
I: I always wanted to learn the end-to-end cycle of product development, and how it correlates with customers. Modjoul provided me a platform to exercise my expertise in electronics while simultaneously allowing me to experience all the other steps in the product development lifecycle.  This breadth of exposure broadened my mindset and taught me to approach product development from a more holistic point of view.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I: Luckily, there are quite a few on that list. To keep it brief, I can mention two main ones for me: 

1. The improvements brought by our technology for our customers. Seeing improved safety records and overall better performances from our customers is a great validation and reward for what we do. 

2. The second thing is the sense of purpose and joy that me and my team experience by solving big technical challenges through collaboration and teamwork. While there can be many sleepless nights, the eventual relief and joy after solving a big task for a customer is indeed very rewarding.

Q: When you think ahead to the future, what are you excited about in terms of Modjoul’s evolution? What are some areas you think the company could grow into moving forward?
I: Modjoul is expanding fast. Our product line has diversified. We went from 1 to 3 actively deployed products within a couple of years. I am eagerly looking forward to expanding on the existing solutions we offer and adding more product lines, which will ultimately serve the same core mission of improving employee safety and productivity. 

Modjoul will require growth with delineating the product lines as we scale. Currently, our entire product line falls under the same umbrella, which will be hard to manage with expansion. The good news is that this is a champagne problem, and we have an extremely hardworking team that always knows how to stay a step ahead of the requirements.

Q: What are your interests or hobbies outside of Modjoul?
I: I love playing tennis, and any other sport that makes me run a little. I like reading autobiographies of great leaders in history. I also like watching movies, with a special interest in well-written courtroom dramas. 

If you would like an assessment of your workplace risks or to see a demo of any of our solutions, we would love to start a conversation with you. Complete the form below and one of our client strategy and solutions experts will be right back in touch!

The post Team Spotlight: Q&A with Itmenon Towfeeq appeared first on Modjoul.

Question: How long have you been with Modjoul?

Josh: Just about 3.5 years.

Q: What attracted you to Modjoul?

J: The opportunity to connect with companies and reduce injuries sounded great. I think it is super gratifying to know we are making jobs safer and easier, which is not something you can find anywhere.

Q: What are some of your responsibilities here?

J: My primary focus is providing support across all levels. I handle various client-facing tasks, such as onboarding, prospecting, data reviews, and device troubleshooting, among others. I have a wide range of responsibilities!

Q: What would you say is the most rewarding part of your job?

J: The most rewarding part of the job is definitely building relationships. I enjoy talking with clients, partners, and users. Together, I have found we have the capability to make a positive difference!

Q: What are some things you like to do outside work?

J: Outside of work you can catch me hanging out with my awesome wife! We love to spend time in nature whether that’s visiting preserves & parks, riding bikes/scooters. We live in Florida, so the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are endless. I also am a huge music lover – whether it’s playing or listening, music is an essential part of my life.

If you would like an assessment of your workplace risks or to see a demo of any of our solutions, we would love to start a conversation with you. Complete the form below and one of our client strategy and solutions experts will be right back in touch!

The post Team Spotlight: Q&A with Joshua Turner appeared first on Modjoul.

With summer winding down and the holiday season approaching, here’s a number that is on our collective mind right now:

That’s how many seasonal workers that U.S. employers in the retail, transportation and warehousing sectors hired in the fourth quarter last year. That figure was just a tick under the 1.2 million hired in the same period in 2020.

That’s a lot of new employees in a very short period of time.

Indeed, for many companies, seasonal hiring is a key component of their workforce development strategy. Seasonal hires not only allow operations to ramp up to meet short-term periods of higher demand, they also provide an extended opportunity to evaluate and identify candidates for permanent employment.

But a rapid and significant increase in workers also presents challenges — perhaps most notably for workplace safety. The most effective safety programs require thoughtful training and consistent reinforcement. That strategic approach can sometimes be at odds with the urgency to thrust significant numbers of new workers into action — at precisely the busiest time of year.

The good news is Modjoul can help.

Introducing Modjoul’s New Employee Model

The good news is Modjoul can help, and we’re excited to introduce our new employee model that enhances workplace safety with a strategic approach toward newly hired workers. With Modjoul’s new employee model, operational guardrails can be set up to ensure the safety of your seasonal workers. These guardrails include:

• Threshold Alerts: Modjoul’s system can set up threshold alerts to notify you when safety metrics reach critical levels, allowing for immediate action to be taken.
• Alert Button for Questions: Our new model provides an easy way for employees to seek clarification and ask questions by simply pressing an orange button on their wearable device, ensuring they have the information they need to stay safe.
• Repetitive Motion Alerts: Modjoul’s technology can detect repetitive motion patterns and send alerts to prevent potential injuries or discomfort among your workforce.All of these features will make an even bigger impact during times when you ramp up your workforce.

Modjoul Is Your Seasonal Hiring Strategy’s Best Friend

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) defines a seasonal employee as “an employee who is hired into a position for which the customary annual employment is six months or less.”

And when it comes to seasonal hiring, there’s another number we at Modjoul are obsessed with:

Unfortunately, seasonal or temporary workers are about 50 percent more likely than permanent employees to be seriously hurt at work.

So while hiring seasonal workers may be essential for many businesses, it also presents a significant risk — to both employee and employer. Too often, companies don’t plan far enough ahead (or at all) to ensure their seasonal employees are adequately trained before they’re put to work.

If you are partnering with a staffing agency to hire seasonal workers, that can present another layer of complexity and questions about who is responsible for safety training — the staffing agency or the employer? The answer is both share responsibility. While staffing agencies can and do provide basic safety training, the host employer knows the hazards of their specific job site better than anyone and therefore is responsible for providing site-specific training to seasonal workers.

We recommend companies that need to scale up for the holidays do a few things:

• Hire early.
• September — or even August — is not too early to begin vetting potential employees for seasonal positions. Don’t skip your normal screening process.
• Develop specific training for seasonal workers.
• Streamline training to include just the specific duties you’re hiring a seasonal worker to perform. Keep it focused.
• Complete all safety training before work begins.
• While there will likely be some “on-the-job” training for seasonal workers, that shouldn’t extend to safety. Develop a plan to ensure all seasonal employees are properly trained on all safety policies, procedures, technology and proper ergonomics and physical movements before they begin work.

That’s where Modjoul comes in. Our solutions are easy to implement into the workplace, so they won’t slow you down. And they provide the kind of immediate reinforcement to workers and real-time data to employers to help them identify problem areas that keeps everyone safe.

If you are about to embark on a seasonal hiring surge, contact us. Whether you are a current Modjoul client or not, we will evaluate your situation and seasonal employment plan and recommend solutions that will keep your operations humming during your most important time of the year.

The post Modjoul Can Supercharge Your Seasonal Hiring Strategy appeared first on Modjoul.

At our core, we are problem-solvers. The Modjoul team decided to develop a solution that we call the New Employee Model. By using a combination of AI to specifically target injury prevention, the creation of operational guardrails, and the use of real-time haptic feedback to improve ergonomics, this approach decreases the risk of injury to new employees.

The Process

Similar to the SmartBelt, our original workplace safety wearable, Modjoul’s New Employee Model is simple to implement and use. The SmartBelt is worn around the waist of the employee for 60-90 days, during which time it measures their ergonomic performance and collects data on movements such as bends and twists. Once this information is gathered, the employee is ranked on a 5-point scale categorizing their risk of injury.

Once a specified risk threshold is met, a supervisor will be notified in the form of an email, text, or app notification. This keeps supervisors in the loop in real-time. Not only is the supervisor notified, but the SmartBelt will send a haptic alert (vibration or LED lights) notifying the employee. The haptic alert raises awareness, encouraging employees to be more conscious of their movements.

In addition to monitoring potential risks, the New Employee Model establishes a streamlined method for employees to seek assistance and ask questions. When an associate presses the orange button on the SmartBelt, supervisors or managers are notified, providing the employee’s precise location within the workplace. This dual functionality promotes a consistent workflow for employees, enabling them to both maintain a productive pace of work and seek guidance that can enhance efficiency and safety.

Having all of this information at your fingertips allows supervisors and/or risk management personnel to intervene and re-train that employee with proper technique, keeping them productive and, most importantly, injury-free.

The result: A new employee who is healthy, trained properly, and contributes to the productivity of your company.

Want to learn more?

At Modjoul, we want to offer customizable solutions which are tailored to your needs. We would love to start a conversation with you about The New Employee Model. Together, we can work to keep new employees safe and give your company an edge.

The post Modjoul Develops New Solution: The New Employee Model appeared first on Modjoul.