In response to the 1957 Soviet launch of Sputnik into orbit, a threatened USA started taking science and technology much more seriously. This led to the formation of agencies tasked with the development of space-age technologies. There was specific concern surrounding an attack on the nation’s telephone system, and it was this that gave birth to the idea of a ‘galactic network’ of computers that could communicate with each other. In 1969 two computers, each the size of a small house were already communicating. By the late 1970s, a computer scientist named Vinton Cerf had developed a way for all of the computers on the world’s mini-networks to communicate; this was described as the ‘handshake’ that introduced ‘distant and different computers to each other in a virtual space’. Thus began a worldwide network. In 1991 Tim Berners-Lee’s World Wide Web was born, and advanced its predecessors’ limited file sending function to a ‘web’ of information retrievable by anyone, anywhere, at any time. With the addition of a user friendly format, a more connected world was born which profoundly impacted the relationship between the consumer and the manufacturer.
Now let us draw a parallel between this and the manufacturing world. Manufacturing in the early 90s was stagnant. A sudden boom in productivity was attributed to an investment in IT, largely influenced by the introduction of the internet. This was heralded as the next major stage of the Computer Age. Why was this? Well, there are many theories but overwhelming evidence supports one in particular: the connectivity offered by the internet was not only making internal collaboration more efficient and rapid, but was allowing for cross-market access to other companies’ and peoples’ data and resources. Companies were no longer limited to their local markets; they could grow globally but still maintain solid and secure communication. Consumer trends were much easlier tracked and analyzed, allowing for faster development responses and timelines. Information was everywhere and there was so much more data to retrieve and use. That was when the Internet connected people; today, the dawn of the Internet of Things means that machines are now communicating and transferring data independently of us. An engine manufacturer can embed its engines with chips that monitor performance and the need for maintenance before you know anything is wrong. Your alarm clock can turn your coffee machine on so it’s ready for when you leave the house. Even your car can be summoned to your exact location using your phone.
The downside? In a competitive market, everyone has access to all of this new and growing data and this has levelled the playing field for many organizations. In an effort to remain a front runner, companies are turning to innovation. Innovation needs three factors to succeed: people, technology and management. Ultimately, it is not the organization that innovates, but the people within it. For this to be encouraged they need to be provided with the appropriate tools, and to be managed in a way that allows for lateral thinking. Innovation has never been more important; with industry dealing with more competition, stricter regulations and a burgeoning consumer base with less disposable income, every company is asking how they can be different at a fraction of the cost. Most have turned solely to technology but this leads to neither immediate nor sustainable results. The solution? A three-pronged attack:
- Invest in technology – platforms like PLM are essential but cannot be treated as esoteric platforms; you must realise their full potential and buy into them.
- Involve your workforce – these are the people that will innovate. Provide them with the insight, transparency and training that nurtures a creative culture.
- Innovate the way you manage – the ‘one glove fits all’ method of leadership is dead. Be more flexible and reward outside of the box thinking; it’s often the ideas that seem the most unobtainable that have the most potential.
These three factors are the focus of Product Innovation Düsseldorf 2015. This 2-day programme brings together experts from Innovation, IT, R&D and Design to discuss best practices in technology sourcing, deployment, integration, maintenance and development, as well as how to build and align this to a sustainable, business-worthy strategy. Technology strengthens connectivity and collaboration, boosting data flow and subsequent analysis and therefore product innovation. Do you know what your consumers want today; who cares? You need to know what they want tomorrow.
Are you ready for this challenge? Complete with its balanced series of technical case studies, strategic presentations and networking opportunities, PI Düsseldorf will equip you with the knowledge and necessary strategies, tools and technologies to support ongoing innovation and more robust operations.
PI Düsseldorf takes place on 24 & 25 February. Click here to register.
For more information please contact David Wilcox at david.wilcox@marketkey.com or alternatively call him on +44 (0) 207 442 2144.
Quote IMECHE2015 to receive a 10% discount.
Registration link: http://picongress.com/register/booking/imeche2015