Siemens announces several new features of PlantvilleTM, its online gaming platform that simulates the experience of being a plant manager. The award-winning game boasts over 21,000 players in more than 160 countries since its launch one year ago, and has been recognized as a leader in online engagement by industry awards such as the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and PR News. The new game features include industrial productivity scores, competition capabilities, and several new design elements on the Plantville homepage.
The new industrial productivity score measures the productivity of each of the three plants in the Plantville game based on a standard formula that results in a cost per day total. The IP formula combines five key costs of production: raw materials, wages, overhead, energy, and asset depreciation.
“The virtual activity in Plantville mimics the real-world environment where plant managers continually watch key performance indicators (KPIs) and strive to maximize productivity and efficiency,” says Raj Batra, president, Industry Automation division, Siemens Industry, Inc. “Industrial productivity is driving the recovery in U.S. manufacturing today, and Siemens is helping to unleash that productivity through its wide array of products and solutions—many of which players can experience in the Plantville game.”
Players will now also have the ability to form teams and compete against one another for highest score and KPI value. Competitions can be initiated by any registered Plantville player. Of the more than 700 educational institutions that play Plantville, several have held competitions among their students. One such school is a charter school in Atlanta—Tech High—where CEO Steven Walker says his students are able to hone their problem solving and critical thinking skills, as well as their ability to collaborate as a team.
“These are vital 21st century skills and abilities that are in high demand by employers today,” Walker says. “Innovative ways to promote engagement in the classroom is a teacher’s best friend and we are fortunate to have Siemens as a partner to make Plantville available to our students.” Users will also notice some changes when they visit the Plantville homepage: Plantville product inquiry; Google social media; the Plantville awards highlight area; the Plantville merchandise link; and the Siemens virtual Answers for Industry (AFI) link. The game has also expanded internationally. Siemens Netherlands recently launched their own version of Plantville. For more information or to play Plantville, visit www.plantville.com.
