In a Sunday op-ed for the Des Moines Register, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) President Rob Denson made the case for how true partnership and the right innovation can solve the most pressing workforce development challenges.

Denson touted the role community colleges play in offering an economically beneficial alternative to four-year universities for students who can graduate into high-paying jobs debt-free. He also outlined how these colleges can partner with companies like Index to get skilled workers fully prepared for their jobs more quickly and efficiently than ever before.

Today’s community college story is “one of high quality, lower costs, smaller class sizes and a focus on preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce,” wrote Denson.

Denson went on to highlight the Electric Utility Technology program that DMACC launched in partnership with Index and Berkshire Hathaway utility MidAmerican Energy. The digital curriculum created by Index was described as a “key enabler” in the program, one with broad application to other industries.

The interactive training eBooks and augmented reality apps from Index helps reduce both the time and cost of training, and employers like MidAmerican – by participating in the development of the curriculum – raise the standardization of what apprentices will learn.

“America’s community colleges, together with partners like MidAmerican Energy and Index AR Solutions, can provide a one-year bridge between students and meaningful career,” Denson wrote.

Read the full op-ed on the Des Moines Register website.

Index AR Solutions Senior Vice President Scott Sommers participated in the 2023 Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) Summit recently, sharing insight and perspective on how companies can use multimodal learning technologies from Index to create talent pipelines.

The annual Workforce Development Summit assembles energy industry thought leaders for networking, strategic dialogues, and insight into best practices within the industry and beyond. A key theme of the summit was how the energy industry’s education and training leaders are exploring ways to modernize job training and expedite work-readiness.

The CEWD is a non-profit consortium of more than 120 energy companies, contractors, associations, unions, educators, and business partners working together to ensure a skilled, diverse workforce pipeline to meet future industry needs. The 2023 CEWD Summit featured dozens of session tracks focused on the business of workforce development.

Index has participated in the Summit for several years now, showcasing how companies such as MidAmerican Energy Company are transforming apprenticeships and staff training with the addition of interactive Index eBooks™ and Augmented Reality (AR) mobile apps to their educational offerings.

At last year’s Summit, MidAmerican received a CEWD Impact Award for implementing a series of initiatives and programs that promote a skilled, diverse talent pipeline for the energy sector. The Index client earned a Chairman’s Award for Workforce Development Leadership, CEWD’s highest honor. Among other criteria, the award recognized innovation in approaches to training and upskilling, specifically the work being done with Index.

In 2021, Index was one of the first three companies to join CEWD as Associate Members, which include Fortune Global 500 professional services firm Accenture and DitchWitch, a leading provider of underground utility construction equipment.

Index AR Solutions sponsored and participated in the annual E Source Forum in Denver recently, joining industry professionals focused on charting the future of sustainable utilities. Nearly 600 people attended this year’s E Source Forum, which has facilitated learning, networking, and collaboration among utility professionals from across the U.S. and Canada for nearly 30 years.

At the event, Senior Vice President Scott Sommers participated in a panel discussion on “Capabilities to Build a Skilled Workforce” as part of the event’s E Source Solutions Showcase. Workforce development was a key topic of discussion, with Sommers offering some key insights into the challenging state of the labor market for skilled trades.

Index is a leading creator of digital workforce training. The company has particular expertise in training solutions for the utility industry, with nearly two dozen apprenticeship and education programs that have been completed, in development, or under contract.

Digital training curriculums built on Index eBooks and visualization apps have been well received by students and training program leaders alike, Sommers noted, because the curriculums reflect how people are auditory, visual, or tactile learners. Index uses multi-modal content and learning techniques, giving information to students in the format they are most comfortable learning in, so that they learn quicker and retain more – a reality that is consistent across diverse populations and economic groups.

Sommers said that Index apprentice programs generally reduce learning time by about one third, underscoring the power of these first-of-their-kind digital curriculums.

Index has been partnering with major utilities and community colleges to begin implementing the curriculums in the classroom for the first time.

A new Electric Utility Program launched last year at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) featured a digital curriculum based on modern, field-proven training materials that Index created in partnership with MidAmerican Energy using eBooks and mobile apps delivered via tablets.

Fourteen of the fifteen students enrolled in the successful course’s first semester at DMACC last fall returned for the spring semester. Thirteen of the fourteen program graduates accepted positions with MidAmerican or other utilities at an average annual starting salary of more than $65,000.

DMACC decided to double the class size for the fall session, and based on positive feedback from students and the instructor, it was quickly oversubscribed, with more than 30 students lined up to register.

The digital curriculum built by Index helps contribute to the high retention rate for graduates who go on to become utility apprentices, especially ones that feel adequately prepared.

To learn more about the Index apprentice program solutions and how they are helping utilities establish long-term talent pipelines, visit indexarsolutions.com/education.

Des Moines Area Community College Doubles Class Size for Electric Utility Course Based on Success of First-of-its-Kind Digital Curriculum for Line Mechanics

Williamsburg, VA and Des Moines, IA – Index AR Solutions, a leading creator of digital workforce training, announced that Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is doubling the class size of a new digital curriculum-based line mechanic course in the fall of 2023 following positive results and feedback from its first offering. The course is part of DMACC’s new Electric Utility Technology Program and is positioned to help address the acute shortage of skilled workers facing major utilities such as MidAmerican Energy.

Under the terms of a teaming agreement, Index implemented an immersive, multimodal digital curriculum for classroom instruction at DMACC that gives students the exact skills and information needed to be hired as a power line mechanic. The curriculum was based on modern, field-proven training materials that Index created with MidAmerican using eBooks and mobile apps delivered via tablets.

Fourteen of the fifteen students enrolled in the course’s first semester at DMACC last fall returned for the spring semester. Based on demand signals and positive feedback from students and the instructor, DMACC decided to double the class size for the fall of 2023, and it was quickly oversubscribed, with more than 30 students and counting already lined up to register.

“When students come to us and get the Index materials and see what they are going to be seeing out in the workplace, it makes them more confident and competent,” said Rob Denson, President of DMACC. “The Index eBooks and apps create excitement, giving students a great chance to experience real life in a virtual setting and providing a concept of what the job is really like.

The development comes at a critical time, as utilities struggle to place skilled people in the lineman career field. Currently, there are very few colleges that offer programs for the line mechanic trade. It can take two years to get qualified line mechanics into the field, making it difficult for utilities to keep up with workforce demands. The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) estimates the energy industry will need to hire approximately 500,000 new employees over the next 10 years.

The digital curriculum developed by Index is a fundamental shift in the way linemen are trained. Instead of static, one-dimensional textbooks, apprentices now consume instructional material in the form of rich multimedia that is also interactive.

“We are inspired by this groundbreaking educational initiative, powered by Index eBooks and apps,” said Dan Arczynski, CEO at Index AR Solutions. “Thank you to MidAmerican and DMACC for partnering with Index to prove out this new approach to accelerate learning.”

The line mechanic course created by Index and MidAmerican includes nearly 1,000 eBook pages of vetted content and 200 instructional videos of actual line mechanics performing work and giving guidance. The videos also emphasize the importance of safety and commitment to customer service – with seasoned workers who share wisdom and real-world stories from the field.

The course includes augmented reality (AR) experiences and 3D animations in 12 applications that cover a range of topics such as switchgear devices, voltage regulators and truck hazards.

Hands-on learners have responded very positively as the highly interactive iPads make it easier for students to consume information and virtually test what they are learning in the classroom before going to the field. For example, in the course’s Transformer Trainer application, students tap and drag across the screen to make wiring connections and then receive instant feedback on whether a connection was made correctly.

“We are excited to see the feedback from both DMACC students and faculty, as it underscores what a great opportunity this is for students to earn an Electric Utility Technology Associates Degree and confidently enter the lineman trade,” said Chelsea McCracken, Vice President for Safety, Training and Development at MidAmerican.  “Ultimately, this successful partnership with Index and DMACC is helping us create a new talent pool that is trained to an industry standard, while also potentially accelerating DEI hiring goals and extending training access to underserved communities.”

DMACC is the largest and most diverse community college in Iowa. MidAmerican is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A; BRK.B).

The Index team presented before hundreds of thought leaders and industry representatives attending the second annual Human Performance in Action Conference (HPAC) hosted by KnowledgeVine recently in Houston.

The event centered around the science, data and application of working safely, with attendees sharing how Human Performance best practices not only reduce human error, but also increase productivity, performance, and provide a safe working environment.

The audience and fellow presenters included major utility clients of Index, including MidAmerican Energy.

Hundreds of attendees heard directly from Index clients how Index eBooks and augmented reality (AR) mobile apps are making workers safer and more capable at major utilities and in other industries across the country.

Index AR Solutions was featured in the May 2023 issue of T&D World with an article detailing how the company’s eBooks, augmented reality applications and 3D visualization technologies are playing a key role in training future lineworkers.

The article, entitled Tuning into Technology, described how Index partnered with MidAmerican Energy and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) to place an immersive digital curriculum for line mechanic apprenticeships in the college classroom for the very first time.

T&D World Field Editor Amy Fischbach wrote that as more lineworkers move into retirement, utilities nationwide are struggling to develop more skilled workers in the line trade. The challenge, according to the article, is that it takes time to get new workers through company training programs and few colleges offer such programs for the line mechanic trade.

The article explained how students enrolled in the new line mechanic program at DMACC now have access to the same material and content deployed in MidAmerican’s own training centers. It’s an approach that helps ensure a consistent and predictable competency level of skill developed with each student.

Read the full article in the digital edition of T&D World’s May 2023 issue at https://bit.ly/40DzNK5.

As many industries struggle to hire and train workers fast enough, forward-thinking companies like MidAmerican Energy are getting the job done.

The Index AR Solutions client received a 2022 Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) for a series of initiatives and programs that promote a skilled, diverse talent pipeline for the energy sector.

Announced at the 2022 Workforce Development Summit in Washington, DC, MidAmerican earned a Chairman’s Award for Workforce Development Leadership, CEWD’s highest honor. Criteria included promotion of 21st Century Careers in Energy, achievements around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and enhancements to office culture and operations that attract a skilled, diverse workforce. The award also recognized innovation in approaches to training and upskilling, specifically the work being done with Index AR Solutions.

MidAmerican has been working with Index AR Solutions over the past several years to modernize 13 apprenticeship programs, replacing antiquated training materials with digital curriculums of eBooks and mobile apps. The modern, interactive training technologies deployed by MidAmerican have proven valuable in supporting a younger, higher-turnover workforce.

The approach also brings the power of multimodal training materials to new talent pools while accelerating access across hard-to-reach communities. It is a model that can help utilities reach DEI hiring goals as it extends training to localities that may not have been traditionally considered for hiring opportunities.

For example, the Impact Award recognized how MidAmerican’s community college initiative gives students access to modern, field-proven learning materials and helps prepare them for careers at utilities. At the core of the first-of-its-kind initiative is the digital curriculum built by Index AR Solutions for MidAmerican’s line mechanic apprenticeship that is being implemented at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).  Index AR Solutions and DMACC have signed a teaming agreement and these materials are already being used in the classroom with exceptional results.

Index worked with MidAmerican to implement the immersive, multimodal digital curriculum for classroom instruction at DMACC that gives students the exact skills and information needed to be hired as a power line mechanic. Materials include a library of 17 Index eBook™ titles and 11 interactive mobile apps that are delivered via tablets to students enrolling in a two-semester course.

Working with DMACC and Index, the initiative enables MidAmerican to attract and train a diverse team of new employees – regardless of background – to the same standards and reach target skill levels more consistently.

Index also participated in the CEWD Workforce Development Summit, hosting a Learning Lab Session entitled “Digital Learning Tools Meeting the Needs of a New Generation of Energy Workers”. The session explored the curriculum Index created for MidAmerican’s DMACC Line Mechanic Associates Degree program and other examples of the more than 20 multi-year apprentice programs that Index has modernized for major utility partners.

Index AR Solutions and client partners recently presented at the Human Performance in Action Conference (HPAC) hosted by Knowledge Vine at the L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles. The theme of the conference was “Luck is not a Strategy: The Science, Data, and Application of Working Safely.”

More than 200 attendees heard directly from Index clients how Index eBooks and augmented reality (AR) mobile apps are making workers safer and more capable at major utilities and in other industries across the country.

Dan Arczynski, President and CEO at Index, took the stage with Chelsea McCracken, Vice President of Safety, Training and Development at MidAmerica for a session entitled “Augmenting Humans: The Use of eBooks and Augmented Reality to Improve Human Performance.”

The session showcased how MidAmerican Energy has successfully launched more than a dozen digital training programs using eBooks and mobile apps from Index. Company-standard Human Performance Improvement (HPI) tools are contextually integrated into the training materials that are delivered via tablet for use in the classroom and the field.

One of the training programs, a Line Mechanic Apprentice Program, is also being deployed in a community college setting for the first time. Index and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) are entering into a technology partnership that gives college students access to modern, field-proven learning materials and help better prepare them for a career at utilities like MidAmerican.

At the HPAC conference, Index also presented a breakout session on “How to Build an App or eBook for Your Company.” The session explored the unique Index SuperApp® Development model. Since the launch of the first SuperApp less than five years ago, the popular portfolio has grown rapidly to include 500 unique mobile apps and eBooks designed to improve human performance through effective training.

Representatives from Entergy, CenterPoint, ResilientGrid, the U.S. Department of Energy, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, OMICRON, the North American Generator Forum, Outcome Engenuity, and many others also attended the HPAC conference.

To learn more about the HPAC conference, visit knowledgevine.com.

Across the United States, industries are struggling to keep up with workforce development needs. Recent projections show that the Phoenix area alone could see a shortage of 80,000 skilled trade workers in the next six to seven years, said Jim Banaszak, Ph.D., Partner at McKinsey & Company, in a keynote address that kicked off the Index AR Solutions Spring 2022 Retreat.

The good news: industry thought leaders and visionaries who came together at the Index Retreat showcased practical solutions to meet the challenge head on. For example, digital training innovations, such as eBooks and augmented reality, can offer a powerful solution to the acute workforce issues.

Banaszak and fellow McKinsey & Company Partner Garo Hovnanian addressed the crowd of industry representatives by quantifying how challenging the workforce situation is nationwide and its impact across the entire value chain from skilled trades to engineers. Exacerbating the problem, according to Banaszak, is that current educational capacity and conventional approaches may not have capacity to solve the problem.

Successfully navigating the current labor mismatch requires a comprehensive set of coordinated actions that address labor issues and their effects across the value chain. While there is no single solution, the McKinsey experts spoke to a set of integrated actions executives can take to respond.

Following the macro view of today’s workforce challenges, Index Retreat attendees heard from James Merlo, Ph.D., an accomplished human factors thought leader and Vice President of Operational Excellence at Knowledge Vine.

Merlo emphasized the importance of having an accurate mental model of how machinery or equipment works. eBooks and mobile apps from Index, according to Merlo, provide the contextual insight that critical to safe operation, maintenance or construction.

“Index makes sure that workers have the right information at the right time, but not overwhelm them,” said Merlo. “And we’re going to give them the situational awareness so that they can be successful.”

Following Merlo’s presentation of the science behind the tools, Chelsea McCracken, Vice President for Safety, Training and Development at MidAmerican Energy Company and Mike Hoff, Director of Health and Safety at MidAmerican Energy Company used Index eBooks and mobile apps to create a world-class training experience.

Building on the success of a pilot project in 2017, Index and MidAmerican have created 15 digital training programs. Index eBooks and mobile apps play a key role in the classrooms of MidAmerican’s new centralized training facility in Des Moines, and they proved exceptionally valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trainers were able to host virtual sessions using the immersive digital curriculums, which then become a reference material for workers outside of the classroom.

The partnership between Index and MidAmerican suggests that a successfully creating a digital training curriculum is as much about the process as it is the technology.

“Index has done such a great job of making our employees feel comfortable and valued,” said McCracken. “What better way to engage them than to have them be a part of the development of the training.”

Index works closely with MidAmerican journeymen and other veteran workers during the curriculum development, encouraging their participation in demonstration videos and documenting procedures.

“They are the SMEs. We have to learn from them. It’s not the manager telling you how to do the work, it’s the employee showing you how the work is done,” explained McCracken.

Index Retreat attendees enjoyed an afternoon keynote address from Miss Henriksen, Executive Director at the Center for Energy Workforce Development. She echoed points made by McCracken and other presenters about the challenging state of the energy workforce landscape. One in five utility workers is 55 or older, and one fifth of industry employees are eligible to retire within the next five years.

“Strategic workforce planning is not a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity,” said Henriksen.

Henriksen noted that “the folks who are under 35 are also responsible for the lion’s share of new ways we are going to harness power in our country,” further underscoring the need for digital training solutions that appeal to younger workers and can facilitate knowledge transfer from subject matter experts.

Kirill Zolotov, Lead Engineer in the Steam Distribution group at Con Edison gave Index Retreat attendees a demonstration of a mobile AR app built by Index to streamline pumphouse work order management, route-finding, and job acceptance processes and operations. The app enables Con Edison to confirm that workers visit the correct pumphouse location and operate the correct vales during a work order procedure. Zolotov emphasized the importance of such a capability, as turning the wrong valve in the wrong location can lead to significant operational issues.

Thought-provoking closing remarks at the Index Retreat were provided by James R. Golden, Ph.D., a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and Senior Consultant to the President of William & Mary. Reflecting on the points made in earlier presentations, Golden suggested that managers should focus on how to attract people to the industry and help candidates appreciate what the opportunities are.

“This is not your grandfather’s industry,” said Golden. “It’s one that is using new technology, one that really cares about you.”

Golden also summarized the Index AR Solutions value proposition, noting how Index eBooks and mobile AR apps can become an integrated part of the workforce development model. They become the foundation of digital training curriculums that can be integrated into organizational culture and the iterative process of training – from the classroom to the jobsite.

To date, 500 unique Index mobile apps and eBooks are being created through the company’s SuperApp® Development model. For more information on how these tools are being used to solve workforce challenges for major utilities today, visit indexarsolutions.com/apprentice-programs/.

Executives from Index AR Solutions and client partners will present at the Human Performance in Action Conference (HPAC) hosted by Knowledge Vine, August 8-10, 2022 at the L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles.

The conference theme is “Luck is not a Strategy: The Science, Data, and Application of Working Safely.” Hearing directly from Index clients, conference participants will see firsthand how Index eBooks and augmented reality (AR) mobile apps are being put to use today, making workers safer and more capable at major utilities and in other industries.

Dan Arczynski, President and CEO at Index will present a session entitled “Augmenting Humans: The Use of eBooks and Augmented Reality to Improve Human Performance.” The session will showcase how MidAmerican Energy has successfully launched 15 digital training programs using eBooks and mobile apps from Index. Company-standard Human Performance Improvement (HPI) tools are contextually integrated into the training materials that are delivered via tablet for use in the classroom and the field.

Index will also present “How to Build an App or eBook for Your Company,” a breakout session that will explore the unique Index SuperApp® Development model. Since the launch of the first SuperApp less than five years ago, the popular portfolio has grown rapidly to include 500 unique mobile apps and eBooks designed to improve human performance through effective training.

Knowledge Vine’s HPAC Conference is hosted by practitioners for practitioners. Participants will be able to meet with industry-leading utilities and contractors who are using Human Performance to reduce human error, increase productivity and provide a safe working environment for the most important part of any organization, its human capital.

Representatives from Entergy, CenterPoint, ResilientGrid, the U.S. Department of Energy, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, OMICRON, the North American Generator Forum, Outcome Engenuity, and many others are slated to attend.

To learn more or register for the KnowledgeVine HPAC Conference, visit knowledgevine.com.

Index AR Solutions continues to blaze a trail in digital workforce training solutions as it celebrates another major application development milestone. Executives announced today that 500 unique mobile apps and eBooks are being created through the company’s SuperApp® Development model.

Clients use field-tested SuperApp mobile apps and eBooks to measurably transform business operations and modernize training initiatives – making workers safer, more capable and more efficient. Since the launch of the first SuperApp less than five years ago, the popular portfolio has grown rapidly, more than doubling in size in the past year and a half alone.

SuperApps are developed in collaboration with a client partner. When the solution is purchased by other clients, the partner earns royalties on sales. Partners can earn back part, all or greater than their initial investment. In turn, new clients who buy the developed SuperApp receive a solution that has been proven in the field and can be deployed quickly following a few customizations.

“The amazing success of the Index vision is how we can systematically create a modern digital training solution that empowers workers and makes great business sense,” said Scott Sommers, Senior Vice President at Index. “Our SuperApp development model ensures our client partners are rewarded for their efforts while new clients get a solution that can be deployed in half the time.”

SuperApps have become the core of a set of Apprentice Program training offerings from Index that major utilities are using to prepare new workers for the field. These digital programs give companies a powerful way to refine and transfer the wisdom of veteran workers and share it with apprentices in a highly interactive and effective way.

“Our development approach is rooted in client partnership, working hand in hand to ensure every eBook page and every app step is customized for that client’s needs,” said John Arczynski, Senior Vice President and COO at Index. “The result is a training solution that unlocks the value of experienced workers’ wisdom by effectively capturing it and presenting it to the next worker.”

Index anticipates continued portfolio growth as additional SuperApp teaming agreements are signed and other clients buy these eBooks and apps off the shelf.

“It is an honor to work with so many incredible team members within Index and at our clients who shared our vision for revolutionizing the way technology solves problems,” said Dan Arczynski, CEO at Index. “While technology is a key enabler, through Index it’s the people that will empower the next generation of workers.”

Visit the SuperApps and Apprentice Programs pages on the Index website to learn more.

For substation technician apprentices, it used to be that key skills and best practices could only be learned through hands-on training. But thanks to a digital curriculum of eBooks and mobile apps being created by Index AR Solutions, major utilities like MidAmerican Energy are enabling workers to visually explore substation equipment anytime and anywhere.

An article in the February 2022 issue of T&D World magazine explored how MidAmerican partnered with Index to help create a digital training curriculum featuring a combination of animations, augmented reality (AR), 3D modeling and videos. Delivered via eBooks and apps on a tablet, the multimedia-rich package allows workers to visualize substation components and complex tasks, providing a valuable supplement to classroom training.

The article explained how apprentices use the new training material to learn a variety of tasks, such as relay testing and troubleshooting, how to properly use a multimeter and setting up work boundaries. The materials also reinforce “soft” skills such as the company’s Human Performance Improvement (HPI) tools and important safety rules.

Because the tools are multimodal – with video, animations, photos and text – apprentices can learn in the format that works best for them, and knowledge retention is significantly increased over traditional methods. The digital curriculum is highly mobile, allowing apprenticeship training to continue despite work modifications instituted during the global pandemic.  This helps prevent apprentices from falling behind and ensures staffing levels remain sufficient.

The eBooks and mobile apps that comprise the substation apprenticeship digital curriculum are now available for purchase by other utilities, with pricing and terms based on a co-marketing agreement between MidAmerican and Index. Curriculums for gas welders, gas technicians, electric meter technicians are also available, with solutions for line mechanics, gas meter and control apprentices and others in development. To learn more, visit the Index website.

Click here to read the full T&D World article.

Williamsburg, Virginia – Index AR Solutions, a leading creator of digital workforce training, announced that it has joined the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) as an Associate Member, supporting the organization’s objective to build a skilled and diverse workforce pipeline. Index is one of CEWD’s first three Associate Members which include Fortune Global 500 professional services firm Accenture and DitchWitch, a leading provider of underground utility construction equipment.

Formed in March 2006, the CEWD is a non-profit consortium of electric, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy companies, and their associations, committed to the development of a skilled, diverse energy workforce.

“We welcome Index to the CEWD community and are inspired by their passion for using technology to reimagine worker training and education,” said Missy Henriksen, Executive Director at CEWD. “Collaboration is in the Index DNA, and we are excited to have them as a key partner who shares our commitment to moving the energy workforce forward.”

Index is an active participant in the CEWD mission. Last month, Index Senior Director of Client and Corporate Development Chris Biernacki co-presented at the CEWD’s 2021 Energy Workforce Development Summit alongside MidAmerican Energy’s Director of Corporate Training, Andrea Bruxvoort. MidAmerican serves 774,000 natural gas customers and 795,000 electric customers throughout Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Nebraska.

The Summit session with MidAmerican showcased how Index mobile apps and eBooks provide a powerful new way of teaching and engaging today’s workers. Those technologies are being put to use today and helping major utilities address a variety of staffing and education challenges.

“By switching up the way we deliver information, we can align the best training method with each trainee’s learning style and preference,” said Bruxvoort. “Our employees can better retain information and recall it when they need it, leading to a higher level of preparedness and ultimately a safer work environment.”

Organizations use Apprentice Program solutions from Index to create multimodal digital curriculums that streamline and replace legacy training materials. The solutions help organizations address remote learning requirements, the increase in skilled worker retirement and more.

“As a CEWD member, we look forward to collaborating with Missy and the other members to solve pressing turnover, recruitment and education challenges,” said Dan Arczynski, CEO at Index AR Solutions.

For more information on Apprentice Program solutions visit indexarsolutions.com/apprentice-programs.

About Index AR Solutions

Index AR Solutions is an American enterprise eBook and augmented reality mobile application provider creating custom and off-the-shelf products that make workers safer, more capable and more productive. Learn more about Index AR Solutions at IndexARSolutions.com.

About the CEWD

Formed in March 2006, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a non-profit consortium of electric, natural gas and nuclear utilities and their associations, contractors, unions, and educators united in building a skilled workforce pipeline that will meet future industry needs. Learn more about CEWD at cewd.org.

Last week, a proud Index AR Solutions team, loved ones and supporters hosted a Founders Day ceremony, celebrating seven amazing years of client service and technological innovation. The words of the following thank you letter presented at the ceremony make one thing clear: Index is just getting started. The best is yet to come!

December 9, 20201

When we formed Index AR Solutions on December 9^th, 2014, we were not sure where the journey would take us, but we were sure that it was a road worth taking.

Index is now a successful company in so many ways: in the clients who rely on us, in the eBooks and apps we create for them, and in our people that make everything happen. As founders, it is heartwarming to us for all the good Index does. We are honored to have taken the leap of faith to begin this wonderful company.

We are also humbled and thankful for all that believe in the Index way, our mission to help workers and our culture based on servant leadership. There would be no Index without our clients and team members who trusted us and gave us a chance.

So, thank you, and celebrate with us this Founders Day.

With warmest regards,

John Arczynski                            Dexter Lilley                        Dan Arczynski

For organizations seeking to make workforce training as impactful as possible, eBooks and mobile apps from Index AR Solutions are a powerful approach.

That was one of many messages conveyed by Chris Biernacki, Senior Director of Client and Corporate Development for Index, at the recent AME Everywhere 2021 International Conference. Biernacki co-presented with Mike Hoff, Director of Health and Safety for MidAmerican Energy Company, a client who is using Index SuperApp™ solutions to transform apprenticeship training programs.

The pair discussed how Index eBooks™ and mobile apps significantly reduce the time needed to train a technically qualified, safety conscious and customer-centric worker. The digital solutions played a key role in how MidAmerican successfully combined two gas apprenticeships, each three years in length, into a single cohesive apprenticeship lasting two years.

The Index apps replaced static, paper-based material with interactive, highly visual content that boosts engagement and knowledge retention. The result is a more effective learning experience, particularly for younger hires – an important consideration for utilities like MidAmerican who are dealing with the bubble of an aging workforce.

Hoff also explained the challenge of having limited hands-on training available in a controlled classroom environment. For example, having rarely used meter set mockups available for training is difficult enough in a centralized location, but nearly impossible in a decentralized environment where workers are based in several states.

Index eBooks and mobile apps help overcome that challenge by capturing seasoned workers’ knowledge on video and in 3D animations, creating the best training platform possible for the classroom and beyond. New workers can now visualize how a specific brand of meter works while hearing about important service nuances in a training video. Installed on tablets assigned to each new apprentice, the solutions also allow a consistent training experience to continue remotely without disruption, anywhere at any time.

MidAmerican trainers note how the modern training offerings from Index also promote much more interaction and engagement in the young workforce. Not only do the videos and other digital training materials help ensure workers perform a task the same way every time, but they also help share workers’ passion across territories, fostering a valuable sense of esprit de corps.

Ultimately, MidAmerican expects to realize measurable benefits from their training investments in the form of greater workforce retention, fewer errors and more. To learn more about Index Apprentice Programs, visit indexarsolutions.com/apprentice-programs.

Index AR Solutions Senior Director Chris Biernacki will co-present with MidAmerican Energy Company Director of Corporate Training Andrea Bruxvoort at the 2021 Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) Summit on November 17.

The annual Workforce Development Summit brings together energy industry thought leaders for networking, strategic dialogues, and insight into best practices within the industry and beyond. A key theme of the summit is how the energy industry’s education and training leaders are exploring ways to modernize job training and expedite work-readiness.

In a training track entitled “Modernizing Industry Training: MidAmerican’s Journey,” Bruxvoort and Biernacki will demonstrate how MidAmerican is transforming apprenticeships and staff training with the addition of interactive Index eBooks™ and Augmented Reality (AR) mobile apps to their educational offerings. The session takes place at 2:30 PM ET on November 17.

Session participants will learn how MidAmerican and Index worked together to address curriculum design, costs, business partnerships, time to development and team member response, among other success factors.

Index mobile apps and eBooks provide a powerful new way of teaching and engaging today’s workers. The technologies are the foundation of Apprentice Program solutions from Index that are helping major utilities address a variety of staffing and education challenges such as remote learning, the increase in skilled worker retirement and more. Organizations use the solutions to help streamline and replace legacy training materials with a multimodal digital curriculum.

The CEWD is a non-profit consortium of more than 120 energy companies, contractors, associations, unions, educators, and business partners working together to ensure a skilled, diverse workforce pipeline to meet future industry needs. CEWD’s 2021 Workforce Development Summit features dozens of session tracks focused on the business of workforce development.

To learn more or register for the Summit online visit cewd.org/workforce-development-summit-2021.

Thanks to the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) Career Services department, Hannah Dahlem, class of 2018, landed her dream job at Index AR Solutions. Now she’s encouraging others to follow her lead.

“Our mission is people first, and we help workers with their jobs and safety, said Dahlem as a featured guest on the inaugural episode of the WPAOG podcast. “It’s definitely a wonderful place for a West Pointer to be, and we already have several West Pointers at the company.”

Index is a technology leader that develops and deploys custom built, augmented reality based mobile solutions for clients across a wide range of industries. The firm is currently hiring for a variety of dynamic positions to help create the mobile app and eBook solutions that are driving the company’s strong growth.

During her podcast interview, Dahlem spoke about the leadership culture at Index and making the transition from a service academy to the business world. The brand-new WPAOG podcast is hosted by Mike Lyons, class of 1983 and Major Giving Officer at the AOG. The first episode profiled West Point’s Career Services department and how it is helping alumni transition to a rapidly changing work environment, especially in the tech space.

Dahlem explained how she contacted the Career Services team after she transitioned out of the Army and began changing her career path. She encouraged West Point alumni to contact the AOG’s Career Services as soon as possible once they are considering transitioning. The academy boasts one of the best professional networks with connections to leading businesses and organizations across the country.

Click to listen to Dahlem’s interview on the inaugural WPAOG Podcast

That includes very senior level individuals and former graduates with extensive backgrounds. For example, Dahlem’s path crossed with Index as CEO Dan Arczynski, West Point class of 1978, was also contacting the Career Services for its recruiting efforts.

After speaking with Arczynski, Dahlem was referred to the interview process and the rest was history.

“There are incredible opportunities to wear so many hats here at Index and make a difference helping other people,” said Dahlem, who recently earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification while working for Index. She expects to receive her MBA in 2022.

Working at Index means collaborating with passionate colleagues who are motivated to help solve real client challenges. The firm offers great benefits and promotes a strong work/life balance. Index is now hiring for multiple positions. For more information and to apply now, visit Index AR Solutions on Indeed.com.

To learn more about the West Point Association of Graduates, visit their website.

Several Index AR Solutions leaders presented at the Human Performance (HP) Community of Practice virtual roundtable on May 20. Hosted by KnowledgeVine, a leading provider of HP improvement services, the session showcased how technology and science are coming together to optimize human performance using eBooks and mobile apps.

Augmented reality (AR) mobile apps and Index eBooks™ provide a powerful new way of teaching and engaging today’s workers. The technologies are the foundation of Apprentice Program solutions from Index that are helping major utilities address a variety of staffing and education challenges such as remote learning, the increase in skilled worker retirement and more.

Index AR Solutions CEO Dan Arczynski explained the company’s unique development approach, which emphasizes establishing the outline and a deep understanding of the client’s processes at an early stage.

“Our whole passion is to help workers become safer, more capable, more productive,” said Arczynski.

The development process continues with creating the multi-modal content – combining clear, concise written instructions with photos, videos and graphics. Once those items are carefully created they are poured into the Index eBook™ and supporting mobile application and delivered via tablet. The approach has proven quite successful in boosting human performance in demanding, task-driven operating environments.

“While the technology from Index is a great asset itself, it’s really about the learning and finding innovative ways to do learning,” said Dr. James Merlo, Vice President for Operational Excellence at KnowledgeVine. “It’s the application of that technology using the hard science of psychology and the implementation of human performance, which Index is embedding into their solutions.”

Using Technology and Development Approach to Make HPI Pervasive

The roundtable also included Sam Reno, Performance Improvement Program Manager at a major utility. Reno discussed the value of strategically placing HPI tools throughout workforce training eBooks that remind workers of important safety or procedural considerations at certain steps in a process. Under Reno’s direction, Index also worked closely with a utility’s HP champions to create an eBook that specifically focuses on the company’s forward-thinking HPI approach.

Index is helping the utility institutionalize HPI concepts in a very powerful way by collaborating with their own subject matter experts (SME) and workers in the field. For example, each time an instructional video is created for a new eBook, Index producers will prompt the utility’s SME to talk about how an HPI tool might apply to the task at hand. In this way, HPI tools are consistently embedded into the training construct early in the process.

Reno also noted how the Index eBook creation process and content producers can make highly technical topics have feeling and become emotionally relatable. The combined approach, according to Reno, is credited with helping to make HPI pervasive across the business in a highly effective manner.

For more information on how utilities are using Index eBooks™ and mobile apps to promote HP principles and reimaging workforce training, visit indexarsolutions.com/apprentice-programs.

To learn more about the HPI solutions and services offered by KnowledgeVine, or to join the HP Community of Practice for free, visit knowledgevine.com.

Underscoring the company’s continued growth, Index AR Solutions announced that six standalone Apprentice Program training solutions are now available. Organizations use an Index Apprentice Program to streamline and replace legacy training materials with a multimodal digital curriculum.

Each Apprentice Program is a complete package of augmented reality (AR) mobile apps and Index eBooks™ designed to provide a fundamentally different way of teaching and engaging new workers. The programs from Index are helping major utilities address a variety of staffing and education challenges such as increased retirement, remote learning and more.

The eBooks in an Apprentice Program create a highly experiential learning platform using an array of rich multimedia content with videos, photos, audio, text, graphics, tests and other interactive material. The AR mobile apps leverage the power of augmented reality and 3D animation to help new workers visualize equipment and important work procedures in real-life context.

Working together, the Apprentice Program apps and eBooks effectively capture best practices and enable knowledge transfer, making new workers safer, more capable and more productive.

Index created the Apprentice Programs in partnership with client sponsors under the terms of a SuperApp® Development agreement. The client friendly SuperApp model includes a co-marketing arrangement with Index that provides the opportunity for a client to recover some, all or more than their upfront investment.

Six Apprentice Programs are currently available or in development, with more to come. They include:

• Gas Technician Apprenticeship SuperApp™ with 38 eBooks and 21 AR mobile apps.
• Gas Welder Apprenticeship SuperApp™ with 6 eBooks and 6 AR mobile apps.
• Gas Meter and Control Apprenticeship SuperApp™ with 33 eBooks and 17 AR mobile apps.

• Electric Meter Apprenticeship SuperApp™ with 48 eBooks and 24 AR mobile apps.
• Line Mechanic Apprenticeship SuperApp™ with 32 eBooks and 16 AR mobile apps.
• Substation Technician and Electrician Training SuperApp™ with 18 unique Technician titles, 12 unique Electrician titles, 22 shared titles and 26 AR mobile apps.

The Index eBooks™ and AR mobile in each Apprentice Program are fully functional immediately. Clients typically engage Index customize selected components such as standards, videos, photos and branding to reflect their unique requirements and people. Facilitated by Index, the customization process encourages shared participation from client instructors, supervisors, subject matter experts and management which promotes buy-in and esprit-de-corps.

Index Apprentice Programs are available now for electric and natural gas utilities, and solutions for additional industries are being considered.

For more information, visit Apprentice Programs on the Index website.

The Index AR Solutions off-the-shelf product library continues to grow rapidly, with the company announcing today that it has 350 mobile apps and eBooks available now or in development. The number stood at nearly 240 just four months ago.

SuperApps™ are augmented reality (AR) applications and Index eBook™ solutions that make workers safer, more capable and more efficient. Packed with rich visualization and multi-modal learning elements, clients use SuperApps™ to enhance business operations, modernize apprenticeship programs and solve other challenges.

The SuperApp™ library includes packaged solutions for natural gas service technicians, welders, electric meter technicians, line mechanics and more. Index is also developing a medical endoscope cleaning app with a health system partner that makes it easier for hospital workers to do their jobs and keep patients safe.

“We augment people – not reality – in ways that measurably benefit workers around the metrics that matter most,” said Dan Arczynski, CEO, Index AR Solutions. “We look forward to continuing our growth trajectory, which is based on a uniquely powerful combination of people, partnerships and work processes that drive client success.”

SuperApps™ are created through co-marketing agreements between Index and a client company or investor sponsor. After being developed and field-tested in close collaboration with an initial client partner, SuperApps™ are then made available for purchase by other clients.

Contact Index AR Solutions to arrange a hands-on demonstration of a SuperApp™ or to learn more about the company’s custom app and eBook development capabilities.

Existing clients are reaping the benefit of mobile workforce training applications that leverage augmented reality (AR) and eBooks from Index AR Solutions. Today, Index announced availability of several Quick Start apps that allow prospective clients to experience the power and innovation of Index firsthand, with a low up-front investment.

Mobile apps from Index assist learning, training and work wherever teams go, even in locations without connectivity. They enable users to visualize concepts through a multi-model approach that includes augmented reality, video, 3D animations and other interactive content.

Easy to buy and deploy, Quick Start apps include portions of the functionality of Index’s flagship offerings and run on multiple platforms, including PCs, Macs, iPads and smartphones. Quick Start apps are available now for immediate download from the Apple App Store. They include:

• Gas Meter Fundamentals, introducing the key components, basic functionality and sizing charts for gas meters used on homes and businesses. This app lets users visually walk around a transparent gas meter to see its internals operate while live natural gas flows through it.
• Gas Regulator Fundamentals, demonstrating the major components, basic functionality and common hazard scenarios for gas regulators used in commercial and residential applications. Using 3D models, augmented reality experiences and realistic animations, users can literally look inside of a regulator and trace flowing gas as the device steps down gas pressure for customer use.
• 4S Meter Wiring, familiarizing users with the equipment and process for wiring and installing a form 4S meter. This powerful app allows users to virtually examine and interact with a 4S configuration as they familiarize themselves with key components, typical safety checks and common hazards from the convenience of a classroom, work-truck, or home.

These are just a few of the latest AR-based workforce training and education innovations released from Index. Index also recently celebrated a major milestone in its broader product library, which now includes nearly 240 unique mobile apps and eBooks being created through the company’s SuperApp® Development model.

“With our Quick Start apps, we have created an ideal opportunity for organizations to get to know Index and see just how much value our enterprise-class solutions deliver,” said Dan Arczynski, CEO, Index AR Solutions. “We look forward to engaging organizations who try our limited-edition Quick Start apps and then wish to speak with us about full solution deployments.”

Click here to learn more about Index Quick Start apps or contact an Index associate to buy now.

A recent T&D World article profiled how Index AR Solutions has been working with Duke Energy to create a mobile app virtual tour of the utility’s Mount Holly microgrid facility.

Entitled “Duke Energy Now Offers Mobile Virtual Tour of Microgrid Innovation Lab,” the article describes how the microgrid is part of Duke Energy’s emerging technology and training center. It can be fed from traditional facilities on the electrical grid, or it can be isolated from the grid and fed from its own advanced internal generation sources.

Duke uses the facility as a testing ground for technology that will modernize the electric grid. Thanks to Index, users can now explore the microgrid from the palm of their hand.

T&D World noted how the MicroTour mobile app allows employees and visitors to learn more about the Mount Holly microgrid in real time regardless of their location. The app combines AR, videos and photos to create an immersive tour of the microgrid yard. Workers on location can use the app and smartphone camera to scan the microgrid yard and see overviews of each piece of equipment, including specifications and streaming real-time status.

MicroTour’s virtual flyover allows offsite users to explore a 3D model of the microgrid and 20 pieces of select equipment. Tapping a beacon on each piece of equipment provides a short video, rich description and photos. A built-in live stream enables MicroTour users to monitor the site in real time.

MicroTour is available now in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Android devices. It was also recently featured in Duke Energy | illumination, a weekly newsletter showcasing stories about people, innovations, and community and environmental issues.

MicroTour is just one of the latest AR-based workforce training and education innovations released from Index. The rapidly growing company recently celebrated a major milestone in its product library, which now includes nearly 240 unique mobile apps and eBooks being created through the company’s SuperApp® Development model.

Click here to read the full T&D World article.

In late May, executives from Knowledge Vine and Index AR Solutions co-sponsored a virtual summit on human performance (HP), gathering thought leaders across multiple industries who discussed how today’s digital workforce can use HP principles and techniques to fundamentally improve how people work.

“Human performance is about ensuring safe, reliable outcomes,” said Dr. James Merlo, Vice President for Operational Excellence at Knowledge Vine. “In our recent virtual conference, human performance practitioners explored how it goes way beyond elevating individuals to truly transforming entire organizations. We look forward to hosting future gatherings that will propel the human performance community even further.”

The half-day event, hosted by energy event leader EUCI, featured more than 10 presenters who provided case studies and success stories demonstrating how organizations can unlock the value of HP to boost safety and drive results in other areas.

Following welcome remarks from Index AR Solutions CEO Dan Arczynski and Knowledge Vine CEO David Bowman, the agenda shifted to a presentation from David Costello, Chief Sales and Service Offer at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). Costello described how the credibility of SEL as a company is its most important asset, underscoring the ethical principles and organizational values that drive the company’s extraordinary culture and servant leadership style.

Mike Legatt, Ph.D., CPT and CEO, ResilientGrid, Inc. discussed the ways technology is being used to strengthen situational awareness, a key component of the HP equation.

Index AR Solutions Senior Vice President Scott Sommers introduced Brooke Weddle, Partner at McKinsey & Company. She described how an organization can restructure to become a High-Performance Organization (HPO), illustrating how culture and technology can reinforce performance outcomes. In her presentation, “A Case Study in The Digital Worker and the Transformations in Workplace,” Weddle noted how companies that focus on organizational health outperform their peers at every level.

The event also showcased how HP pairs well with other next-generation tools and technologies such as analytics and augmented reality (AR).

In his presentation, Jason Handley, P.E. and Director in the Emerging Technology Office at Duke Energy, demonstrated how the major utility is using apps from Index AR Solutions to completely reimagine worker training and inspection procedures.

David Marx, BSE, JD, CEO, Outcome Engenuity, also focused on the worker, using his presentation to demonstrate how to manage the five behaviors of human errors to produce better outcomes. Meanwhile, Brian Hurst, Vice President and Chief Analytics Officer at Exelon Utilities, discussed how his company is using advanced analytics and a “10 Day Challenge” to boost the performance of their workforce.

Building on the success of the May event, Knowledge Vine and Index AR Solutions are planning to host a live event for the HP community in the future.

“The work we do around eBooks and augmented reality embeds human performance inside of it – a combination that is producing real results for training and in the field,” said Sommers. “We’re excited to be partnering with Knowledge Vine and other leaders on events like this that strengthen the human performance community and will drive the tools and technologies to even greater heights.”

Digital Curriculum of More than 30 eBooks and 20 Visualization Apps Boosts Worker Safety and Knowledge Retention while Enabling Remote Learning, Now Available for Purchase

Williamsburg, Virginia – April 14, 2020 –Index AR Solutions, a leading creator of digital workforce training, announced completion of a strategic initiative to convert MidAmerican Energy’s gas apprenticeship program to digital platforms. The project included streamlining and replacing legacy training materials with a multimodal digital curriculum of eBooks and augmented reality mobile apps that boost engagement, knowledge retention and worker safety.

The digital curriculum components are available now for purchase by other utilities, with pricing and terms based on a co-marketing agreement.

MidAmerican is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy that serves 791,000 electric and 771,000 natural gas customers in Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Nebraska. As the cornerstone of a project to combine two time-based apprenticeship programs into a single, competency-based hybrid program, MidAmerican’s new digital curriculum is now being used to train all its gas technician apprentices.

Index AR Solutions worked side-by-side with MidAmerican trainers during the modernization effort, pairing AR and eBook learning tools to create a highly experiential learning platform with rich visual, auditory and tactile elements. Company operating standards and safety rules are also included for reference and contextually embedded into step-by-step procedures.

The curriculum is divided into four six-month phases built around interactive eBook multimedia learning experiences that are loaded on each apprentice’s work tablet for use during instructor-led classroom training, remote self-study and field work. Visual augmentations, 3D animations and detailed schematics teach apprentices how to identify key parts or complete common tasks. The augmentations also walk the apprentice through what PPE and tools are needed for each step and overlay critical information on to the area they are working.

Instructional videos are also embedded into the eBook modules, each one featuring MidAmerican’s own represented workforce. The videos emphasize the importance of safety and commitment to customer service – with seasoned workers who share wisdom and real-world stories from the field.

“Backed by the AR apps, videos and other rich content, the eBooks have become a valuable repository of our workforce’s knowledge, while also training and developing our future journeymen,” said Mike Hoff, director of business optimization and innovation at MidAmerican Energy Company.

MidAmerican expects to also benefit from the portability of the digital curriculum. Since content is downloaded to their company-issued Apple iPads, apprentices engage the material for training or field reference immediately. Training initiatives now take place consistently across geographically distributed teams, even in the event of business disruptions.

“Index is proud to work with innovative companies like MidAmerican who are using technology to chart the future of workforce education, and we look forward to partnering with other forward-thinking utilities who wish to augment their own workers – from the classroom to the field,” said Dan Arczynski, CEO, Index AR Solutions.

For more information, including product videos, data sheets, case studies and media coverage, please visit Index AR Solutions.

About Index AR Solutions

Index AR Solutions is an American enterprise eBook and augmented reality mobile application provider creating custom and off-the-shelf products that make workers safer, more capable and more productive. For more information about Index AR Solutions, visit IndexARSolutions.com.

About MidAmerican Energy Company

MidAmerican Energy Company, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, serves more than 791,000 electric customers in Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota, and 771,000 natural gas customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. Information about MidAmerican Energy is available at MidAmericanEnergy.com and company social media channels.

In the April 2020 issue of T&D World Magazine, MidAmerican Energy Company’s Mike Hoff details how the forward-thinking utility partnered with Index AR Solutions to re-imagine their natural gas apprenticeship program. Using a blend of augmented reality and eBooks created by Index, MidAmerican has successfully implemented a digital curriculum for its gas technician apprentices.

Hoff is Director of Business Optimization and Innovation at MidAmerican, which is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. MidAmerican serves some 771,000 natural gas customers in Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Nebraska.

In the article, entitled “Utility Dives Into AR to Train Apprentices,” Hoff explains how MidAmerican sought to combine its two primary time-based gas apprenticeship programs into one competency-based hybrid program for gas technicians.

The article notes that with apprentices needing to retain more information in a shorter period of time, the engagement of the training material becomes critically important. Working closely with MidAmerican trainers during the project, Index was able pair AR and eBook learning tools to create a highly experiential learning platform with rich visual, auditory and tactile elements.

By pairing them together, MidAmerican has put a complete curriculum into the palm of every apprentice’s hand via a tablet.

Hoff also describes the important role of video in the eBooks, which increase knowledge retention and align the instructional approach with how many people learn do-it-yourself type skills. Safety warnings and human performance tools are also emphasized in the AR applications and eBooks to keep safety top of mind.

Looking ahead, the article highlights how MidAmerican is now implementing a similar digital curriculum for its electric meter technician apprentices. The project started last year and is on track to be completed in 2021.

Hoff closed by touting the benefits of a collaborative development approach to training, which has gained overwhelming support and engagement from its represented workforce.

The more than 30 eBooks and 20 AR apps that make up MidAmerican’s digital curriculum are available now for purchase by other utilities, with pricing and terms based on a co-marketing agreement between MidAmerican and Index. To learn more, visit the Index website.

Click here to read the full T&D World article.

A new case study published by Chartwell, Inc. details how MidAmerican Energy Company partnered with Index AR Solutions on a series of eBooks to modernize the utility’s gas apprenticeship training program.

According to the case study, classroom materials used by MidAmerican to train incoming apprentices consisted mostly of three-ring binders and VHS tapes that were often out of date. Following the project with Index, the digitization and updating of the materials culminated in a series of eBooks that contain interactive AR visualizations, new training videos, and quizzes that enable apprentices to track their progress through the program on their company-issued iPads.

The eBook initiative proved to be an ideal solution to the challenge MidAmerican faced combining two separate gas field technician apprentice programs into a merged, but shortened, program that allowed for increased flexibility and versatility in its workforce.

“We knew there was a lot of overlap in these programs, but we were still asking our apprentices to learn almost twice the material that we were before. The only way we could make this possible was a revamped curriculum with improved classroom education materials,” said MidAmerican Energy Director of Business Optimization and Innovation Mike Hoff in the case study.

The case study noted that feedback from current students has been positive, and trainers report higher levels of engagement from the apprentices as they work through the “video game-like” AR diagrams and lessons on everything from how to assemble a gas meter set to how to safely inspect a home for a gas leak.

Some 34 eBooks and 21 mobile AR-enabled apps were created during the Index project with MidAmerican.

The case study was authored by Chartwell, an Atlanta-based specialized information provider for the utility industry focused on strategic research and facilitating issue-targeted forums for collaboration among industry peers.

Click here to download a complimentary copy of the case study, and visit the Index website to learn more about the Apprentice Program SuperApp™ for Natural Gas Utilities that is now available for purchase.

At the Fall 2019 Index AR Solutions Retreat, a gathering of industry experts and visionaries shared their experience with augmented reality (AR) and how current implementations of the technology are driving substantial returns on investment.

Index AR Solutions CEO Dan Arczynski kicked off the event at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, noting that the company has dramatically expanded its capacity to deliver complimentary AR app and eBook solutions.

“A few years ago, when we were introducing our eBooks and AR apps, clients asked ‘can you scale, can you support us,’ and today, we are in major production,” said Arczynski, explaining how the company now has capacity to delivery 40-60 apps and 80-100 eBooks per year.

A major theme of the retreat was how AR and eBooks are being used by utilities and other companies to boost human performance and revolutionize workforce education.

Training and education have become critically important for many companies adjusting to shifting demographics and a large percentage of their workforce approaching retirement. Recruiting, hiring, training, employee retention and knowledge transfer are more crucial than ever to establishing a quality workforce.

“What is the impact of augmented reality in learning outcomes?” asked Dr. John J. Simmins, Associate Provost for Research and Economic Development at Alfred University. “Can we leverage augmented reality or virtual reality to improve outcomes?”

The answer, according to retreat attendees, is a resounding yes, demonstrated by how AR can be coupled with interactive and highly immersive eBook apps to deliver real business value.

“Index clients are getting great ROI and willing to talk about how the solutions are transforming their workforce,” said Arczynski.

Speakers and panelists discussed how AR-enabled training solutions are highly flexible and an effective way to train today’s worker. At the retreat, attendees saw first-hand demonstrations of dozens of available Index apps that address the reality that different people learn and consume information in different ways.

The apps and eBooks created by Index for companies like MidAmerican Energy allow tribal knowledge and best practices to be shared via mobile tablets. The devices have proven to be intuitive for older workers to use while also appealing to younger generations of workers, giving them the modern learning tools they are accustomed to using.

“We’ve got to train people,” said Dr. James Merlo, an accomplished human factors engineer and former Vice President for Reliability Risk Management at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). “We’ve got to have the tools out there that work off of how we know humans are built.”

Other retreat attendees shared how dynamic visualizations in the apps from Index help their companies proactively avoid trouble in the field.

“We’re developing practices, systems and applications that effectively allow us to get ahead of issues on the grid,” said Giovanni Herazo, Lead Project Manager for Smart Grid and Innovation at Florida Power & Light Company, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy.

At the end of the day, the retreat underscored that AR is not about technology for technology’s sake, rather, it has come to represent the epitome of how technology can be used to serve humans.

“This is not about augmenting reality, it’s about augmenting people,” emphasized James R. Golden, Ph.D., a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and Senior Consultant to the President of William & Mary.

For more information on events hosted by Index AR Solutions, visit indexarsolutions.com/retreats.

At the inaugural Digital Worker Symposium, Index AR Solutions CEO Dan Arczynski cast his vision for the role his company plays in creating a digital interface for the today’s workforce.

“As industries embark on digital transformation initiatives, they run the risk of overwhelming their workers in the field with data,” said Arczynski, who presented at the event. “Index, with its mobile AR apps and eBook offering, is helping workers make sense of that data, presenting them with just the information they need to learn and do their job, precisely when they need it, and a highly visual fashion.”

The Digital Worker Symposium was hosted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Nov. 19-20 in Charlotte, NC. Participants shared learnings from all four EPRI sectors – Nuclear, Generation, Power Delivery & Utilization, and Energy & Environment – where digital technology has shown promise to improve worker proficiency, efficiency, safety, and training capability.

While the field of XR (Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality, collectively) is rapidly maturing, Arczynski said that Index is addressing a need for solutions that promote clarity and deliver real value to the worker.

“Index is the interface between the data and the worker,” said Arczynski. “We figure out what information a particular workforce needs to be more efficient, safer or deliver better results. Then, using a lean process, we create the visualization that enable a worker to consume that information – quickly and easily.”

As an example of the power of Index, Arczynski showcased the Apprentice Program SuperApp® for Natural Gas Utilities, a training and field reference solution the company built in partnership with MidAmerican Energy Company that is now available for purchase by other utilities.

The multimedia-rich solution replaces paper-based materials with a digital library of complimentary AR and eBook training modules to create a highly visual training platform. Some 34 interactive multimedia InBooks™ – customized and content-filled eBooks created by Index – are paired with 21 AR learning experiences loaded on each apprentice’s work tablet for use in both training and in the field.

Besides improving knowledge retention and worker safety, the Apprentice Program SuperApp® for Natural Gas Utilities also features imagery and video testimonials that not only train but also boost engagement and morale.

A similar solution for electric utility apprentice programs is in development.

For more information, visit indexarsolutions.com/apprentice-programs/.

Index AR Solutions Senior Vice President Scott Sommers presented at the Duke Energy 2019 XR Fall Showcase recently, discussing how the company’s mobile applications and eBook solutions are delivering on the promise of augmented reality to create measurable value for utilities and other industries.

Index joined a select group of other pioneering companies invited to exhibit at the event on October 31. There, representatives from various Duke Energy departments were given a unique opportunity to examine real AR and VR projects that are underway today, the value proposition and funding methods that have been utilized, and the business benefit expected when deployments are completed.

At the event, Sommers showcased several of the augmented reality-based mobile app, SuperApp and eBook solutions now available from Index. In addition to participating in hands-on demonstrations, attendees asked questions about specific capabilities and learned more about how Index AR Solutions could transform their own organizations.

For more information on the Index AR Solutions offerings being used by utilities and other major companies, visit indexarsolutions.com.

Index AR Solutions was on hand recently when Alfred University’s Inamori School of Engineering hosted the second annual AUenergy Symposium. The event featured technology demonstrations, panel discussions and student poster sessions centered around the theme of “Overcoming Challenges Faced by the Global Energy Ecosystem.”

Scott Sommers, senior vice president at Index, joined representatives of regional utility companies, businesses, area high schools and other stakeholders at the symposium to discuss the latest sustainable energy solutions.

Sommers participated in a panel discussing the use of next-generation technologies for energy systems, including augmented and virtual reality, UAVs, and blockchain.

Sommers explored how Index is helping major utilities by combining the power of AR with eBooks to create highly experiential teaching and field reference solutions that feature rich visual, auditory and tactile elements.

Capturing the knowledge and best practices demonstrated by utility veterans, the solutions from Index help maximum human performance in new workers – placing the valuable perspectives, experiences and stories of experts at their fingertips for reference and inspiration,

The panel was moderated by John Simmins, director of Research and Economic Development, Alfred University. Fellow panelists included Vivian Sultan, senior business analyst at Southern California Edison and professor at California State University, Los Angeles; and Chris Kuntz, vice president of Marketing, Augmentir.

The symposium was sponsored by Alfred University, the Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology, Corning Inc., and FuzeHub.