“Operational Intelligence.” It’s a €5.1 billion market that’s expected to hit €7.7 billion by 2027. But ask five people what it actually does, and you’ll likely get five different answers with an alarming amount of snooze-worthy jargon in between.

But the concept is actually simple: use your data to spot problems early, so you can make better decisions, faster. And that certainly has benefits for anyone in health, safety, quality, or compliance.

So what is Operational Intelligence, really?

Operational Intelligence started in IT, where it helped teams stay ahead of server issues or network outages. But now it’s making itself useful on the factory floor because it brings together data from across your entire workplace. And it’s not just data trapped in static dashboards or lengthy reports. It’s real-time information that shows you what’s actually happening in your processes, so you can step in before small issues become big problems.

The point is to give you the right information, at the right moment, so you can keep things running smoothly and safely, without making your workday more complicated. That’s why Operational Intelligence matters beyond IT.

How it actually helps you day to day

If you work in safety, quality, or compliance, you’ve probably got eyes on people, processes, equipment, audits, reports, and a dozen other moving parts. The last thing you need is another empty term with no real meaning. So when you hear “Operational Intelligence,” it’s fair to wonder: Is this actually useful, or just more noise?

But here are some of the ways it can help you during your day-to-day.

Catching equipment issues early
Maybe a sensor flags a change in vibration on a pump. Instead of waiting for the machine to fail, you get an alert, schedule a quick fix, and avoid an unplanned shutdown or injury.

Spotting trends in near misses
Instead of reviewing incidents one by one, the system shows you a pattern. If most near misses are happening on night shifts or during changeovers that gives you a clear starting point for training, staffing, or process improvements.

Tracking emissions and energy use in real time
No more waiting until the end of the month to realize something’s off. If your compressed air system starts using more energy than usual, you’ll see it and fix it before it starts to affect your compliance reports.

Getting a live view of risks and actions across sites
With the right tools in place, you’ve got one clear view of open actions, overdue tasks, and high-priority risks, all in one place and without never-ending email chains.

Why now’s the time to take it seriously

The volume of data isn’t slowing down. And if it’s still getting buried in emails or manual follow-ups, critical issues will keep slipping through. Operational Intelligence helps you cut through the noise and focus on what matters most.

• It reduces distractions. There are fewer false alarms, less duplicate work, and no more digging through outdated spreadsheets just to get a clear picture.
• It puts prevention back in focus. When you’re not chasing paperwork, you’ve got more time for the things that actually keep people safe.
• It makes your impact visible. When leadership wants numbers, you’ve already got them ready to go.
• It helps you stay ready. Whether it’s an audit, an inspection, or an unexpected event, you’ve got the confidence that nothing critical has been missed.

How TenForce makes Operational Intelligence actionable for EHS teams

If Operational Intelligence is about getting the right insights at the right time, then TenForce is how EHS professionals in manufacturing actually get it done. Our EHSQ software gives you one place to:

• Log incidents, track root causes, and close actions quickly.
• Run inspections, audits, and observations in real time, with mobile access for teams on the floor.
• Spot patterns in recurring risks so you can take meaningful, preventive action.
• See what’s happening across multiple sites without waiting for a monthly report.
• Stay compliant with evolving regulations, with up-to-date frameworks and clear audit trails.

And because it’s all connected, you don’t just see problems. You understand them, respond faster, and prove impact with confidence. That’s the kind of Operational Intelligence that actually helps you protect your people, your process, and your performance.

Want to see it in action?

And, if you want to see how Elisa Industriq is helping companies put Operational Intelligence into action, check their recent article in d1g1tal AGENDA.