The digital transformation of predictive maintenance dramatically changes visual inspections. Traditionally, visual inspections have been done on paper. Templates are created and printed on paper for inspectors to fill in the appropriate fields. These same papers filled out by the inspectors have served as reports.

If no errors are detected, the paper form filled out by the inspector is kept in a tray or folder for paper where the information and data end up in oblivion. If failures that require action are detected, a work order is generated based on the inspector's recommendations to mitigate the failure. This work order is usually managed in maintenance software (CMMS or CMMS). The information and data collected in the visual inspection are lost unless records are generated to carry trends in parameters, asset status and inspection history.

Although the inspections are done on paper, the cheapening of electronic devices, the general use of tablets and cell phones, and the ease of data integration by software tools make paper begin to be obsolete in various plans. of visual inspections.

The digital transformation is related to the concepts of Industry 4.0 and leads to the integration of all the company's data sources in the model of the cyber-physical space.

In summary, visual inspections' digitization is not only obtaining the data directly digitally through tablets or cell phones. It also involves structuring this data, combining it with other data and information collected through other inspections (vibration analysis, ultrasound, electrical tests, oil analysis, etc.) to fully monitor the assets' condition within a strategic predictive maintenance plan.