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Technology Enabled Purchasing Processes

This blog explores the interrelationships between Materiality, Sociomateriality and Socio Technical systems to reflect on issues associated with implementation of technology to support procurement business processes. It is written from a change-management perspective and indicates the importance of understanding how technology is used in practice if theoretical benefits are to be realised. Technology Enabled Purchasing Processes Throughout my career I have been involved in technology transformation and change management covering manufacturing automation and, more recently’ technology to support supply chain and procurement processes. This has led to an interest in how technology interacts with socio and organisational learning. This blog applies a model of Sociomateriality to Procurement Technology…

Christopher Proudfoot
IOD-6 Flight Opportunity For Commercial Small Satellite Services

If you're working on a new business idea and planning to set up in the UK, the Satellite Applications Catapult has just announced it's sixth in-orbit demonstration flight opportunity. IOD-6 provides a 6U platform provided by Open Cosmos, including launch and operations. The Catapult would welcome applications for ideas to use this flight opportunity to demonstrate new commercial satellite services. Full details on our website or you can contact the team directly at iod@sa.catapult.org.uk https://sa.catapult.org.uk/our-opportunities/opportunities/iod-mission-6/

Chris Brunskill
Pi Wars 2019

Pi Wars is an international, challenge-based robotics competition in which teams build Raspberry Pi -controlled robots and then compete in various non-destructive challenges to earn points. The competition takes place over a single weekend and prizes and medals are awarded at the end of each day. In previous years, we've had teams from schools, families, groups of hobbyists and solo roboteers. We can take up to 76 teams over the event weekend, which takes place in Cambridge, UK . The competition is open to anyone from around the world and is run by the same team that organises the Cambridge Raspberry Jam . To get a flavour of the day, take a look at the video below which features one team's experience of the 2017 event or check out other Pi Wars videos on YouTube .

Alex Barrett
Speaker Highlight: Professor Brian Scassellati

The Robotics and Mechatronics TPN will once again be sponsoring the public lecture at this year's 19th Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems (TAROS) conference. This year, the keynote will be given by Professor Brian Scassellati, Professor of Computer Science, Cognitive Science, and Mechanical Engineering at Yale University and Director of the NSF Expedition on Socially Assistive Robotics on 'Robots that Teach'. Professor Brian Scassellati Biography Brian Scassellati is a Professor of Computer Science, Cognitive Science, and Mechanical Engineering at Yale University and Director of the NSF Expedition on Socially Assistive Robotics. Dr. Scassellati received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2001. His dissertation work (Foundations for a Theory of…

Gemma Hadley
Benefits Of Concurrency In Action. A Rolls Royce Case Study ( IEEE Southern California & IET Southern California Network ).

At the IEEE Southern California HQ based in Irvine, the IET SoCal network collaborated with the IEEE, Aerospace TPN and Jonathan Watson the Chief Manufacturing Engineer, Future Programs at Rolls Royce in Derby to present a lecture on how concurrent product development (CPD) techniques within Rolls Royce has promoted cost reduction, innovation and global collaboration for their CPD efforts. Jonathan discussed how the SPOT model (Strategy, Process, Organisation, Tools) has helped drive project efficiencies, whether it be product design, resource training, design innovation or identifying granular cost efficiencies within different stages of a project. His talked covered the concept 'Spiral of Despair' and how product design success is often based on projected downstream functions such as the…

Rimesh Patel
FIRST®︎ LEGO®︎ League Jr

The IET Cyprus Network sponsored the FIRST LEGO League Jr, organised at the Frederick University on 16 June 2018. FIRST LEGO League Jr. is an exciting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programme for 6-9 year olds. Each year a theme relevant to the world around them is chosen as a focus for the children’s work. The teams research the topic, displaying their ideas on a Show Me poster and they also build a motorised LEGO model. FIRST LEGO League Jr. rapidly develops teamwork, design, programming and communication skills, but the most important thing is that it is great fun and makes the children really enjoy STEM subjects.

Christos Christou
What Goes On At The Air Accident Investigation Branch

Catch up with a review of the recent Aerospace TPN visit to the Air Accident Investigation Branch at Farnborough.The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch hosted 24 members of the Aerospace TPN on 23rd May to a laboratory and hangar tour of the premises near Farnborough airport. This was one of the best attended visits recently, testifying to the interest in the operational and engineering forensic work of the AAIB. The general explanation of how the AAIB goes about its work emphasised that its aim is to determine the causes of air accidents and serious incidents – not to apportion blame. As well as comprehensive operational and technical skills, people skills are very important when talking to those affected by an accident. We visited the data recorder laboratory, which is where the “black…

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
Internet Of Things At The 2018 World Cup

The World Cup kicks off today on Russia and the internet of things will be connecting fans with footballs biggest event This infographic from Telefonica shows how much IoT will be impacting on the tournament, from stadiums to the players to refereeing Source: Telefonica Cyber Threats With all of the connectivity at the tournament, it is perhaps only inevitable that there are warnings of cyber threats as this article from Digital Shadows details. Smart stadiums are a relatively new thing, but are at risk of hacking as a fans, players and pundits IoT at Home Realistically most of us fans will be watching footballs biggest stars from home – according to FIFA over 3 billion people watched the 2014 World Cup – and people around the world will be utilising the Internet of Things to watch the football…

Former Staff Member
Got a head for numbers?

We're looking for a new volunteer to keep the books, here at the Peterborough & Huntingdon Network. The role involves coding and signing off invoices and expenses and ensuring they are sent in to the IET's finance team for payment. The treasurer will also be involved in the annual planning round. Training and support will be given. This is an excellent opportunity to rack up those CPD hours! If you are interested, please contact the Chair, Stephen Williams .

Julie
Sussex Tech: Old And New

My last post talked about some local technology, emphasising the combination of old tech and new tech to help solve a problem. I guess that like most counties, Sussex has other examples of old and new technology applied to, if not identical then similar problems. An example of this came to mind when, as part of our programme of public talks we welcomed staff from the Rampion Wind Farm. Locally we had watched from the South Downs or sea-front as 116 wind turbines were installed 13 Km offshore Worthing over a number of months and a new cable was buried, snaking its way over the Downs to a sub-station some 20 Km from the shore. When the operations people from Rampion gave their talk to 98 IET members and non-members at the University of Sussex (one of our two talk venues) the field was supplying…

David James
RESENT AROUND THE WORLD (PATW) BRUNEI LOCAL HEAT 2018 - 9TH JUNE 2018

Saturday, 9th June 2018, Bandar Seri Begawan. IET Brunei Network organised the annual IET Present Around The World (PATW) Brunei Local Heat in Universiti Teknologi Brunei. This year, total of 6 participants of distinct backgrounds joining the competition. Every participants were provided opportunity to give their presentation based on science and technology topics in front of the audiences for 10 minutes. After their presentation has ended, the judges and audiences have the chances to interact with the participants in the Q&A session. Dalvina Chin, the winner of the competition, received a cash prize of BND300.00 and secured a spot in Asia Pacific Regional PATW in Singapore on 19th August 2018. Jevons Quiambao Penaflor won the runner-up and received a cash prize of BND200.00. By IET Brunei…

Siong Tang
PRESENT AROUND THE WORLD (PATW) BRUNEI LOCAL HEAT 2018 - 9TH JUNE 2018

Saturday, 9th June 2018, Bandar Seri Begawan. IET Brunei Network organised the annual IET Present Around The World (PATW) Brunei Local Heat in Universiti Teknologi Brunei.Saturday, 9th June 2018, Bandar Seri Begawan. IET Brunei Network organised the annual IET Present Around The World (PATW) Brunei Local Heat in Universiti Teknologi Brunei. This year, total of 6 participants of distinct backgrounds joining the competition. Every participants were provided opportunity to give their presentation based on science and technology topics in front of the audiences for 10 minutes. After their presentation has ended, the judges and audiences have the chances to interact with the participants in the Q&A session. Dalvina Chin, the winner of the competition, received a cash prize of BND300.00 and secured…

Former Community Member
V Is For Volunteering – CPD Resources (TWAVES)

The main idea behind volunteering is that you offer your time, experience and knowledge, normally without any reward/pay. However, it may not be so obvious that you can actually benefit from undertaking volunteering activities yourself and although you are supposed to help and guide others you may develop your own skills. How?One would argue that by explaining ideas to others we can understand things better ourselves. It is also about interacting, communicating, leading others and working in a group. It may really help, especially if we are normally very shy or we don’t know how to approach others. What is more, volunteering looks good on our CV as it means that we are willing to make an additional effort without expecting an official reward/pay. It may also mean that we are good at time management…

Matylda
WINNER OF 2018 PATW COMPETITION - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO LOCAL NETWORK (IET TT LN)

The PATW competition hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Local Network (IET TTLN) was held at UWI, St. Augustine on Saturday May 26, 2018. The winner was Mr. Joshua Deonarinesingh who will now proceed to enter the Americas Regional competition in Canada in August 2018. We wish Joshua all the best in this competition!!!

J. Maraj
Annual Meeting MFI-eV And Joint Event With IET Germany - December 2017

The annual meeting of the Michael Faraday Institution e.V. (MFI) , a joint event with the IET Germany local network, was held in Augsburg on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd December 2017. Alistair Gill, who is on both the MFI and IET committees, has written a short report about this event for the website. On the 2nd of December 2017, engineers and others gathered for the annual general meeting of the MFI-eV and the joint meeting with the IET. The MFI-eV annual meeeting was opened by the MFI-eV Chairman, Sandip Banerjee. The meeting was preceded by the announcement that one of our members, Derek Mullinger had passed away just a few day before. A moment's silence in his memory was held. The meeting included the, by law, official discharge of the memebers of the club's officials and a round up of…

Howard Gray
Read about the Safety Vice-Chair's day job and find more out about ESAS 2018.

The Safety TPN Vice Chair is James Inge and James Inge is deputy head in the Quality, Safety and Environmental Protection group. His job is to ensure DE&S is delivery focused and safety driven. Find out more about Jame's roleat DE&S on page 21 and the ESAS 2018 event taking place on 18-19 September 2018, Abbey Wood.

Lynsay Callaghan
Infrarail 2018 Show Review

Infrarail 2018 took place at ExCeL London 1-3 May 2018. The IET Railway TPN were in attendance on stand A70, and we hope that you dropped past to say hello. We have over 130 visitors to the stand over the 3 day asking about Membership, Professional Registration, conferences, TPNs, Communities, joint working, Innovation Awards and various other queries. Infrarail have released the Official Show Review, so have a look and let us know your thoughts on this event. You can get a summary of some of our the key exhibitors and outstanding educational programme, and to watch the videos of the keynote presentations . Official Show Review here .

Lynsay Callaghan
CAWE 2018

Last week saw the 6 th edition of Colloquium on Antennas, Wireless and Electromagnetics, affectionately known as CAWE The CAWE event travels around the UK and this time we headed to sunny Bristol and the lovely venue of Engineers House, located on the Clifton area of the city. As always the event covered a wide range of topics. Speakers came from across the UK, including speakers from the University of Birmingham, University of Sheffield, Qinetiq and Aberystwyth University. Presentations included: Jonathan Spencer from Dstl, who posed a problem about deployed communications to the delegates Mark Hawkins from Qinetiq, who discussed security by design Ramlee Kamarudin from Cranfield University whose presentation on 5G communications, compared the time it took to download Guardians of the Galaxy…

Former Staff Member
Is It Time To Change Your Lightbulb?

I've written before about the lightbulb moment that many engineers get when they realise they want to be an engineer, or later in their career when they realise that they want to be professionally registered, but this is only the start of the journey... As a member of the professional development team, it's part of my role to support those having their lightbulb moments and to help them to find their goals - but it's also part of the role to help those that have not had that moment yet (some might say I'm here to help them find the light), and also to help those that have lost thier way. So, if you're feeling a little lost, or it's been a while since that lightbulb moment and you feel the initial light of that enthuasiasm fading, then maybe it's time to change your lightbulb and re-ignite…

Kathryn Bain
Dream Big : Innovating In Our World

The 17th Annual Conference of the Society of Concurrent Product Development, Dream Big : Innovating in Our World is running at the Science Museum of Minnesota on the 14th and 15th June 2018. I am attending to represent the IET Aerospace TPN and also to promote stronger links with our North American colleagues. The Society and the Conference focuses on Concurrent Product Development and innovation, with speakers from major Engineering companies through to academics and start-up's. I thought the following would be of interest, from an area completely different to aerospace; consumer goods ... If you are interested in hearing more, or want me to ask questions on your behalf, please get in touch. HARRY'S: How to gain a MILLION loyal customers Fireside Chat with Harry's CEO Have a fireside chat…

Jonathan Watson in Manufacturing
Cyber Security - Are Your Engineering Processes Safe

On 24th May a presentation was give by Mr Peter Hazell of Yorkshire Water on Cyber Security - Are your engineering processes safe? The event was initiated by the IET's C&A TPN & arranged by the IET YHRN & held at the Rose Bowl venue in Leeds which is part of the Leeds Beckett University Campus The talk highlighted the dangers of applying unmodified information security principles to the engineering environment and looked at how industrial structure impacts on operational security. The presentation mainly focussed on the Power Generation and Oil & Gas Industries where significant incidents from the past were highlighted showing vulnerabilities that could be a target for cyber attacks.Of significance, particular in the early 1980's, there was an historic disconnect between the Operating Technology…

Alan Chater
STEM Ambassador Takes Volunteering To The Next Level

Just over a year ago, STEM Ambassador Ed Chester, CEng MIET, decided to volunteer for the IET as a School Liaison Officer. He sees the role as an extension of his activities as an ambassador, enabling him to create even more opportunities for young people to learn about engineering. School Liaison Officers (SLOs) are points of contact for schools, STEM organisations and local networks within regions in the UK. They help the educational community to deliver activities which promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to schoolchildren. Ed says there are a few activities within his remit: “I represent the IET at school and public-facing events. This involves having an IET stand and promoting opportunities in engineering, particularly the educational support that the IET provides…

Former Community Member
Not all tech needs to be high-tech

Solutions to real-world problems are often simple and a combination of high-tech and low-tech approaches.I live in a small village in the northern folds of the South Downs in West Sussex. Until Dr Beeching wielded his axe the village was cut in two by a railway, but had its own station, just half a mile from the station in the neighbouring small town. Then, many years ago, part of the railway track was used to provide a bypass of the town and of our village, which is therefore still cut in two, but now by a road. As with many small villages, there is a desire by residents to prevent through traffic and to slow down whatever vehicles do drive through. The first photo is the ‘high-tech’ part of the traffic calming scheme used. So as to abide by the planning rules that these devices should not…

David James
Electric Motorsport – One To Watch?

It’s an exciting time for electric motorsport. It may still be in its early days, but it provides an opportunity for engineers to get stuck into new challenges, particularly around energy management and efficiency. “What the sector is doing in terms of technology is very interesting, with electrification in all areas of powertrains and systems accelerating rapidly,” says Angus Lyon CEng MIET, Director of Rockfort Engineering and Executive Member of the IET’s Automotive and Road Transport Systems (ARTS) Technical and Professional Network (TPN) . “Motorsport is a competitive environment, but stepping into Formula E, the electric street racing championship, is a different domain – we’re literally chasing 0.1% efficiency!” Working across sectors Historically, motorsport has been quite guarded…

Former Community Member

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