The “Digital Age” is a hot topic with possible future applications and implications being discussed daily across popular media. Where do you start amongst the buzz words of “autonomation”, “Industry 4.0”, “Big Data”? How can the fantastic sci fi solutions being promised be used in real life business applications? 

 

Some would say that the future is already upon us. Who would have thought at the start of the computing age that our lives would managed by the small gadgets in our pocket? Some of us barely use phones simply to call someone anymore. We’re using them to manage our home and work lives all the time, and it’s become commonplace to see people using them to manage maintenance, track medical scans, and all sorts of applications where we benefit from having technology at the point of use.

 

It’s become so commonplace in our own workspace that I wonder are we forgetting to share the innovative and interesting uses that we’ve found for the already existing technology. It may seem mundane to the daily user, but others may not have thought of the application, and it’s just as new a solution to them as some of the more futuristic ideas. 

 

It’s easy to get caught up in the glamour of future solutions, but in the meantime let’s not forget the technology that’s already affordable and available today. Technology, that with a bit of imagination and sharing of ideas, we can use to make a difference in our businesses immediately. 

 

In May the IET Manufacturing TPN are hosting an event in South Wales, with some local partners to share how these technologies have already quietly transformed some of their ways of working, and how they could in the future. We use drones to inspect, 3D printing to prototype, and Virtual Reality for all sorts of applications. Attendees can share insights, into their current and future solutions through presentations, demonstrations, and some opportunities to try out solutions. Talk about the successes and the challenges. The aim is to share ideas, and look for collaborative opportunities for how technologies can bring benefits in an affordable way. With discussion around successes, learnings, affordable solutions, managing the change, training the people and daring to try.

 

Please join us to share your ideas.


For more information and to register for the event please visit the event webpage.


Why not start the conversation by sharing your experiences in the comments on this blog?