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COVER PAGE |
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IBT |
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ISG |
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IMT |
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MATERIAL HANDLING |
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PT |
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FLUID POWER |
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GENERAL INDUSTRIAL |
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IBT MEDIA |
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LEAN SIX SIGMA |
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ELECTRICAL |
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RUBBER |
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TRAINING |
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SAFETY |
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TECH X 500 |
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Here Comes the Future, Ready or Not
"It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be."
Isaac Asimov
Science fiction writer and great sage, the late Isaac Asimov (1920 – 1992) has observed, in response to the question of how his books were so accurate at predicting the future, that he told about what common sense indicated would happen.
Foretelling the future, therefore, need not be mysterious. Many of the forces that will shape the next five years in business and society have already begun to take shape.
Following the idea that logic can help when looking ahead, we examined some forces that will drive the next five years in business.
The forces in information technology include:
- Availability of cheap, common video communications through your laptop computer, leading to sales calls via video; video teleconferencing; and less need to travel for business.
- True nationwide wireless communications, resulting from 900 million wireless phones sold worldwide in 2006 (estimated); the emergence of true broadband wireless.
There will be wire from broadband switches outside plants, to bring connectivity inside to the users. Greater integration of communication into automobiles will also occur. The projection of instrumentation on the windshield (heads up display) is already a proven technology. It will be possible to communicate, even via video, while driving, although safety concerns will be significant.
The rebuilding from Katrina and other disasters will continue, so one should allow for significant potential sales in support of those efforts. There are many gaps to be filled.
The addition of Windows Vista (finally) will bring an anticipated $3,200 to $5,000 upgrade cost per user in more powerful hardware, operating systems, new version of Office, new versions of Exchange to support it, user retraining and new versions of other computer applications which work today but which won't work under Vista.
With these anticipated changes, it is possible to look ahead and see how organizations such as IBT will be doing business in the near future.
Some of the more top of mind implications include:
- Running an organization with a staff that is dispersed, even more so than in today's world.
- Redundancy of data processing centers, to prevent loss of effectiveness if one site goes down.
- Expanded use of various web based computer applications, accessible from anywhere.
- Decreased reliance on operating system platforms such as Windows XP and its successors.
- More applications on WiFi enabled handhelds which will be used to run distribution centers, branches and customer locations.
- Downsizing of technology, making "belt computers" all that is needed to get the job done.
- Convergence of technologies, so that the handheld small computer will also be a fully featured wireless telephone.
For IBT and other distribution companies, in the world of 2012, the vast majority of standard business will be done through EDI, as suppliers and major customers agree on communication protocols and message standards.
This can lead to far greater potential for activities such as "Integrated Services." Customers will understand the benefits of outsourcing more and more of their functions.
As IBT evolves, the company also faces the potential for much more IT and non IT consulting services, as the organization positions itself as the expert in total plant operations, not just as the expert in MRO supply chain management.
Of course, there is risk in relying too heavily on the "future" that you anticipate. It does not adequately take things one doesn't know about into account. How could it?
Inventions, technological breakthroughs, acts of God, acts of man, and many other unforeseen and unforeseeable forces will sneak up and upset the applecart when least expected.
Still, uncertainty is part of life under any scenario. A wise person understands that, pays attention to the looming signs, interprets them with calmness and, one hopes, sound judgment.
Then, you do what you can do with the situation that you're faced with. And, that can work to your advantage.
Or, as another great sage, Zig Ziglar, counsels: “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”
See you tomorrow.
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To learn more about IBT products and services, contact us today!
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