HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
Services
NC State University Industry Extension Services (IES) provides practical, unbiased expertise and resources to help manufacturers and businesses optimize operations, strengthen systems and accelerate innovation. Our professionals work side by side with organizations to assess opportunities, solve complex challenges and implement sustainable, customized improvements that drive measurable results.
From digital 3D twin scans and professional assessments to ISO internal audits, facilities layout planning, instructional material development, process simulation, student projects and time-and-motion studies, IES delivers customized solutions that help organizations work smarter, reduce risk, and remain competitive in an evolving marketplace.
A 360-degree digital twin facility scan enables users to virtually navigate and explore a facility from any location. This technology supports more effective facility planning by enabling equipment relocation assessments, capital expansion planning, and enhancing the workforce training, improves operational efficiency, workflow visualization, remote collaboration and streamlining decision-making by providing stakeholders with comprehensive asset tracking.
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This high-resolution, immersive digital twin provides a detailed panoramic view of the entire operation and can identify and label specific rooms, equipment and assets. Each label can be linked directly to critical documentation, including operating procedures, maintenance records, service manuals, electrical schematics and P&ID drawings.
Applications Include:*
*Other custom applications not listed above are available.
Who Needs Digital Twin Scans:
How It Works:
We will create your scan in a 4-step process:
1. Initial consultation and scope definition
2. On-site 3D scan (minimal disruption)
3. Data processing and model creation
4. Delivery of digital twin and walkthrough
Optional: analysis, layout optimization or consulting
We Can Deliver:
Contact your Regional Manager to begin the conversation.
We are an evaluation and assessment team in NC State University’s Industry Extension Services, affiliated with the College of Engineering. Our team offers over 50 years of combined leadership in evaluating programs in higher education, government and nonprofit settings.
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We design and deliver a comprehensive evaluation approach, ensuring high quality, rigor, and customer focus across all our projects in North Carolina and beyond.
Our Team
We are a cross-functional evaluation team with diverse backgrounds in higher education, business, and industry. Whether you need a comprehensive evaluation designed and implemented for your program, or assistance planning and developing ‘very specific’ data collection instruments to measure your progress and demonstrate achievements, our team of experts is here to help.
Topics covered:
As an evaluation team affiliated with the Industry Extension Services unit and NC State’s College of Engineering, our organization’s core values are:
Integrity: Do the right thing – always!
Innovative Solutions: We foster creative talent to deliver high-impact solutions to drive success.
Customer-first: We uphold a culture of exceptional service.
Pursuit of Excellence: We partner to achieve measurable economic impacts for North Carolina and beyond.
Comprehensive Program Evaluation
Our team has extensive experience working with multiple state and federal agencies on third-party evaluations of grant- and non-grant-funded programs. We will work with you as early as the application process. We have experience evaluating programs lasting six months to ten+ years.
Examples of evaluation topics that we can assist with include:
Evaluation Capacity Building
Plan and conduct your own evaluation activities for a more cost-effective and sustainable way to help communicate the success of your program.
While the Evaluation Services at NC State Industry Expansion Solutions is equipped to provide comprehensive program evaluation, we realize that not every project needs assistance from an outside entity. Perhaps you don’t need a full-scale program evaluation, but you want to build internal knowledge and expertise in research and evaluation, including instrument development, quantitative and qualitative analytics, evaluation plan design and deployment, among other areas. We are here to help.
The ability to plan and conduct your own evaluation activities can be a more cost-effective and sustainable way to communicate your program’s successes and longer-term impacts to your funders and stakeholders. Having a methodical approach to regularly assessing your organization’s activity and outcome performance can have broader impacts beyond simply communicating your program’s success. An evaluation mindset can lead to improved efficiency and program outputs, enhanced customer listening and response processes, and the promotion of a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
Our evaluation team uses a customized approach for each of our projects that is responsive to the unique needs of our customers’ projects and programs.
Comprehensive Program Evaluation
For more comprehensive evaluation projects, our process would be:
1. Initial consultation and background of project/program
We like to spend time up front gaining a better understanding of the scope of the project, program, and/or other evaluation needs of our customers to formulate an evaluation design rigorous enough to meet the needs of the funder/stakeholders interested in evaluation reports.
2. Evaluation design and budget preparation
Whether we are working with you in the early stages of your grant proposal submission or you have decided that a research and evaluation project is right for your organization, we develop a proposal and an evaluation budget that fit your needs.
3. Evaluation kick-off meeting with the project team
When work officially begins, we like to set up a meeting with our customers to introduce ourselves, learn more about you and your unique backgrounds and discuss our initial 60-90-day plan for evaluating your project or program. During this kick-off meeting, we will discuss our expectations as evaluators and the various needs we will have of you throughout the evaluation project.
4. Conducting the evaluation
Now is the time for the real work to begin. Based on the timeline established with you earlier in this process, we will conduct regular interviews or focus groups, observe meetings or events and use other data collection methods to help us prepare reports for your project.
5. Reporting and dissemination of findings
After data is collected and recorded throughout the evaluation project’s lifecycle, we will compile qualitative and quantitative data and perform analyses as outlined in our evaluation plan. When applicable, we may work with you after the findings have been published for further presentation or publication opportunities to contribute to the knowledge base of program evaluation
Contact us
We are a cross-functional research and evaluation team with diverse backgrounds in higher education and business and industry. Whether you need a comprehensive evaluation designed and implemented for your program, or you need assistance planning and developing ‘very specific’ data collection instruments to measure your progress and demonstrate achievements, our team of experts are here to help. Please read more about our team below. Complete the ‘contact us’ form to set up a one-on-one consultation to further discuss your organization’s needs.
[email protected]
Our evaluation team uses a customized approach for each of our projects, responsive to the unique needs of our customers’ projects and programs.
Funding Agencies and Types of Programs Experience:
National Science Foundation (NSF)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
US Department of Education (DoEd)
US Department of Labor (DoL)
We are a cross-functional research and evaluation team with diverse backgrounds in higher education and business and industry. Whether you need a comprehensive evaluation designed and implemented for your program, or you need assistance planning and developing ‘very specific’ data collection instruments to measure your progress and demonstrate achievements, our team of experts are here to help. Please read more about our team below. Complete the ‘contact us’ form to set up a one-on-one consultation to further discuss your organization’s needs.
Need an Evaluation Solution?
Please use the form below to set up a one-on-one consultation to further discuss your organization’s needs.
Our instructional design team develops online, face-to-face, and hybrid course content that integrates the latest trends in instructional design and technology, multimedia and content presentation to facilitate learning and knowledge retention.
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We provide instructional design services to businesses and organizations that may be interested in:
We work across industries to identify each client’s training objectives to craft course materials tailored specifically for you. Our processes are based on students’ learning styles and course subject matter to incorporate best practices from adult learning theory.
Training Analysis and Evaluation of Existing Programs and Courses
Our team can help identify potential gaps and training needs that are not readily apparent, and address them. We will conduct a thorough analysis of materials and delivery methods for online and face-to-face courses. We provide clients with a comprehensive evaluation report outlining strengths and weaknesses, along with suggestions for improvement.
Conduct Train-the-Trainer Programs
We can enhance trainers to more effectively serve their learners, utilize participant questions and lead activities that reinforce learning.
Develop Active Learning
The IES Instructional Design Team can assist instructors in creating an environment of active learning
Revise and Enhance Existing Materials
We can review objectives and ensure that your content and assessments are aligned. The Design Team will apply sound design practices to all PowerPoints, workbooks, activities and supplemental materials.
Face-to-Face and Online Content
We can help transform your instruction, materials and activities from a face-to-face environment into an online format.
Blended Courses (Face-to-Face and Online)
We can also collaborate with subject-matter experts to analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate new programs for hybrid deployment that feature online and face-to-face teaching.
Create Job Aids
Our Design Team can create employee support information and processes that are external to the individual and enhance work or activity. We can produce job aids to guide performance, especially for tasks that are not regularly performed.
Create Trainer and Participant Workbooks
We create learning aids for instructors and participants that align with course objectives and support learning by activating prior and current knowledge.
Contact your Regional Manager to schedule.
NC State Industry Extension Services (IES) provides professional ISO Internal Audit, Gap Assessment and Preassessment Audit services to help organizations evaluate their current systems, identify risk and strengthen compliance before external certification or surveillance audits.
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Achieving and maintaining ISO certification requires more than preparing for an external audit. Organizations must continuously evaluate their management systems, identify opportunities for improvement and ensure processes remain effective as business needs evolve.
Industry Extension Services provides independent internal audits, gap assessments and pre-assessments designed to help organizations strengthen their management systems and prepare for certification, surveillance and recertification audits. Our experienced professionals conduct objective evaluations against applicable standards, including:
Working collaboratively with your team, we assess processes, procedures, records, and system effectiveness to identify strengths, uncover gaps and provide practical recommendations for improvement. Whether you are pursuing certification for the first time or looking to enhance an existing management system, our experts deliver actionable insights that improve performance and reduce risk.
Benefits of Professional ISO Internal Audits and Gap Assessments:
At Industry Extension Services, we deliver more than an audit checklist. We help organizations transform management system requirements into business value. Our collaborative approach helps manufacturers strengthen operations, improve performance and build a foundation for sustainable growth.
All information shared during assessments and audits is treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
Ready to get started? Contact your Regional Manager to schedule.
The Minerals Research Laboratory (MRL), in Asheville, NC, is a world leader in research, development and implementation of mineral processing techniques. The MRL is part of the North Carolina State University College of Engineering, under the management of the NC State University Industry Extension Services (IES).
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An efficient facility layout is essential for improving productivity, reducing waste, and creating a safer, more organized work environment. Industry Extension Services (IES) helps manufacturers design and optimize facility layouts that support operational goals, improve material flow and maximize available space.
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Our experts work alongside your team to analyze current processes and develop practical solutions that enhance efficiency while preparing your operation for future growth.
Whether you’re expanding operations, introducing new equipment, relocating departments, or launching a new production line, our experienced professionals provide data-driven recommendations that minimize disruptions and deliver measurable results.
Benefits of Professional Facility Layout Planning:
By partnering with Industry Extension Services, manufacturers can create smarter, more efficient facilities that reduce costs, increase productivity and position their operations for long-term success.
Contact your Regional Manager to schedule.
An efficient facility layout is essential for improving productivity, reducing waste, and creating a safer, more organized work environment. Industry Extension Services (IES) helps manufacturers design and optimize facility layouts that support operational goals, improve material flow and maximize available space.
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NC State Industry Extension Services (IES) uses advanced simulation tools to create digital models of your operations, allowing organizations to visualize workflows, evaluate production scenarios and identify potential bottlenecks before investing valuable time and resources. By modeling real-world conditions, manufacturers can confidently explore opportunities to improve efficiency, increase throughput and reduce operational risks.
Our experts work alongside your team to assess production lines, material flow, staffing requirements, equipment utilization, and facility constraints to determine the most effective path forward. Whether you are launching a new product, adding equipment, redesigning a facility or scaling production capacity, process simulation provides data-driven insights that support better decision-making and faster implementation.
At the conclusion of the project, your organization will receive actionable recommendations and visual models that help validate improvement opportunities, prioritize investments and support long-term operational growth.
Benefits of Process Simulation Services:
Industry Extension Services provides an objective, expert perspective to help manufacturers transform data into actionable strategies that improve performance, reduce costs and build more resilient operations.
Contact your Regional Manager to schedule.
Work Measurement: Time and Motion Studies help organizations understand how work is performed to improve efficiency, reduce waste and establish accurate, data-driven productivity standards.
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Industry Extension Services professionals work directly with your team to observe, document and analyze tasks in real operational environments, providing objective insight into how work flows through people, processes, and equipment. Using video analysis software, essential data, such as the motions involved in the work or task performed, are recorded. They can be analyzed to improve quality and productivity in the manufacturing environment.
These studies evaluate each step of a process to identify non-value-added activities, unnecessary motion, delays, bottlenecks and opportunities for standardization. By combining time study techniques with motion analysis, our experts quantify task durations, balance workloads and identify best practices that can be replicated across similar operations.
The result is a clear understanding of how long work should take under normal conditions, along with practical recommendations to improve efficiency, safety and consistency. Organizations gain a strong foundation for establishing standard work, improving labor planning and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Benefits of Time & Motion Studies:
Through structured observation and analysis, Industry Extension Services helps organizations turn everyday work into measurable, improvable systems that drive higher performance and long-term operational excellence.
Contact your Regional Manager to schedule.