Dow
Optical Character Recognition
- Client
- Sector
- Manufacturing
- What we did
- Product strategy, design, tablet app development, and system integration
Every charge, checked by camera.
The challenge
Dow is a global leader in materials science, with a strong commitment to safety, quality, and operational efficiency. In its chemical charging operations, verifying raw materials and charge locations was largely a paper-based process that needed more than one operator to validate. Dow needed a tool that worked inside the plant, reduced user error, and did not compromise safety or add work.
The build
A tablet app that brings computer vision and optical character recognition to the charging process. Operators validate task locations quickly through image recognition, and scan product labels to capture material IDs, lot numbers, and product names.
Task lists streamline their workflow, charge and material ID scanning confirms safety and quality before charging begins, and photos and scan logs are stored with their errors for audit. Barcode scanning and offline use are supported.
The app integrates with Dow's existing DeltaV automation system and warehouse operations. Shockoe and Dow worked side by side to define, design, build, and roll out the tool.
The result
By replacing manual steps with a computer-vision platform, Dow expects fewer charge errors, better safety and quality, paper processes eliminated, better data and analytics, and a tool that scales across sites.
Project images
Questions about this project
What does the app do?
It helps operators check materials and locations before a chemical charge. The app scans task locations with the camera, reads product labels to capture material IDs, lot numbers, and product names, and validates each charge before it starts.
What problem did it solve?
Checking raw materials and charge locations was largely paper-based and needed more than one operator to validate. The app replaces those manual steps with scanning, so checks do not rely on human verification alone.
How does it connect to Dow's systems?
It integrates with Dow's existing DeltaV automation system and with warehouse operations.
Is there a record of what was scanned?
Yes. The app stores photos and scan logs, and extracts errors from them, so there is a record available for audit.
Build, Buy, or Connect? Modern Logistics Strategy
Every executive room hits the same impasse on digital transformation. Someone draws two columns on the whiteboard, build and buy, and misses the third option.
More Software Won't Fix This
Your associate is on two devices: one shows the order, the other the inventory. They don't talk, so she reconciles them at the curb while the customer waits.
Your Systems Are Running. Your Operation Isn't.
Your call volume is high and your platforms can tell you how many calls came in, but not why.