Tech Trends
Tech Trends In Practice, The 25 Technologies That Are Driving The 4th Industrial Revolution, by Bernard Marr, Wiley 2020
Tech Trends In Practice, The 25 Technologies That Are Driving The 4th Industrial Revolution, by Bernard Marr, Wiley 2020
We may be seeing big leaps and jumps, or smaller powerful inroads, but there is no denying at this point in the pandemic that technology has moved into a bigger role for US manufacturing. But the critical question for many manufacturing leaders is when and how much? Because looking back on the last two manufacturing upgrade movements - lean and JIT/MRP/ERP - its clear that mistakes were indeed made. And perhaps we lingered too long at the fair.
We may be seeing big leaps and jumps, or smaller powerful inroads, but there is no denying at this point in the pandemic that technology has moved into a bigger role for US manufacturing. But the critical question for many manufacturing leaders is when and how much? Because looking back on the last two manufacturing upgrade movements - lean and JIT/MRP/ERP - its clear that mistakes were indeed made. And perhaps we lingered too long at the fair.
So lets get on with this technology business and see what author Bernard Marr feels are the most critical opportunities now. Of his 25 technology trends, starting with artificial intelligence and machine learning, down through nanotechnology and materials science, readers will recognize some familiar names that have been discussed for some years now - Big Data, for instance, and robots and cobots. But they have not all equally moved into foolproof reality, however. Autonomous vehicles have been in the works for decades, but we are just now seeing their real impact commercially as the transportation landscape adjusts. Drones as well - explored and pushed to higher performance levels, drones are just now openly challenging traditional supply chain and defense strategies.
So lets get on with this technology business and see what author Bernard Marr feels are the most critical opportunities now. Of his 25 technology trends, starting with artificial intelligence and machine learning, down through nanotechnology and materials science, readers will recognize some familiar names that have been discussed for some years now - Big Data, for instance, and robots and cobots. But they have not all equally moved into foolproof reality, however. Autonomous vehicles have been in the works for decades, but we are just now seeing their real impact commercially as the transportation landscape adjusts. Drones as well - explored and pushed to higher performance levels, drones are just now openly challenging traditional supply chain and defense strategies.
Remembering that we continue to battle for survival mid-pandemic, let's look at two relevant and timely science and engineering developments:
Remembering that we continue to battle for survival mid-pandemic, let's look at two relevant and timely science and engineering developments:
#16 Genomics and Gene Editing
#16 Genomics and Gene Editing
A critical area that of course has our attention and money right now is the area of Genomics and Gene Editing as we are watching the science of DNA evolve. It has only been 17 years since the human genome was first sequenced. Since then we have learned how to crack, uncover, analyze and even re-form the magic code that runs living cells. Further, our work to edit genes has led us to numerous life-saving strategies for cancer, muscular dystrophy, and now super-embryonic development of horses and even humans. Business implications abound in regulatory and human limits, and of course, costs.
A critical area that of course has our attention and money right now is the area of Genomics and Gene Editing as we are watching the science of DNA evolve. It has only been 17 years since the human genome was first sequenced. Since then we have learned how to crack, uncover, analyze and even re-form the magic code that runs living cells. Further, our work to edit genes has led us to numerous life-saving strategies for cancer, muscular dystrophy, and now super-embryonic development of horses and even humans. Business implications abound in regulatory and human limits, and of course, costs.
#20. Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience
#20. Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience
Under the sub-head "Key Challenges" Marr warns, "One problem that's likely to be encountered is overcoming the institutionalized beliefs that security and resilience are exclusively the domain of the IT department." Even extended to the domain of big commercial networks, its just not enough. "The possible responses - firewalls, extended passwords, etc - need to be looked at carefully. To improve cyber resilience, you can start by working to identify where events and incidents could have the most damaging effects. Drawing up a list of where your operations are reliant on technology, as well as where sensitive and valuable data is stored and used will help you to gain an overall understanding of how continuity of service could be affected.." We may be able to quickly identify power system threats, for instance, but there are other equally dangerous possibilities in the tech world. "This," he advises," is where the concept of a "digital twin" can play an important role being in cyber resilient. A digital, simulated model of your organization or its processes can help to understand the impact on overall output and efficiency that adverse incidents can have."
Under the sub-head "Key Challenges" Marr warns, "One problem that's likely to be encountered is overcoming the institutionalized beliefs that security and resilience are exclusively the domain of the IT department." Even extended to the domain of big commercial networks, its just not enough. "The possible responses - firewalls, extended passwords, etc - need to be looked at carefully. To improve cyber resilience, you can start by working to identify where events and incidents could have the most damaging effects. Drawing up a list of where your operations are reliant on technology, as well as where sensitive and valuable data is stored and used will help you to gain an overall understanding of how continuity of service could be affected.." We may be able to quickly identify power system threats, for instance, but there are other equally dangerous possibilities in the tech world. "This," he advises," is where the concept of a "digital twin" can play an important role being in cyber resilient. A digital, simulated model of your organization or its processes can help to understand the impact on overall output and efficiency that adverse incidents can have."
Takeaways:
Takeaways:
Tech Trends is structured to end each of the 25 technologies' chapters with "Key Challenges" and "How to Prepare" so that readers can take a down to earth, practical approach.
Tech Trends is structured to end each of the 25 technologies' chapters with "Key Challenges" and "How to Prepare" so that readers can take a down to earth, practical approach.