Blog - Page 28 of 40

Sep 15

Unlocking the Value in PLM-ERP Integration

By Joe Barkai IT Strategy, PLM No Comments

PLM-ERP Alignment is Critical

In the seemingly endless conversation about product development software, there are those that argue that PLM and ERP serve different roles in product development and product lifecycle management. Those on that side of the fence use arguments such as “PLM helps drive product innovation, ERP helps execute the business of manufacturing”, and prop their arguments by making debatable observations such as that ERP is a static system of record and PLM manages product changes; that product data structures in ERP are rigid whereas PLM’s are flexible; or that ERP can only handle hierarchical data relationships as opposed to the dynamic many-to-many relations data model of PLM. Some years ago there was even an attempt to restore the lackluster image of ERP by coining a new term: “Operational ERP.” Read More

Sep 03

Connected Car Security: Real Threat or Media Hysteria?

By Joe Barkai Automotive, Telematics 5 Comments

With the growing popularity of Internet-connected features in cars, they become attractive targets for remote hacking. While as far as I know no malicious hacking has been reported, there have been multiple demonstrations of serious software vulnerabilities and breaches of vehicles software. A recent Wired magazine article was particularly damming. With Wired support, experienced “white hat” car hackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek managed to gain access to a brand new Jeep Cherokee and control several functions, including dashboard display, steering and braking.

Sep 03

The Internet of Things and Humans as Sensors

By Joe Barkai Internet of Things (IoT) One Comment

The Internet of Things is the orchestration of multiple connected ecosystems that enable tight value chain integration and synthesis of multidisciplinary data that provide context for high-fidelity decision making.

We tend to think of the IoT in terms of monolithic network of connected “things” and the data they generate. This is a correct but very incomplete view of the potential power of a world in which everything and, indeed, everyone is potentially connected.

Consistent ability to make and persist high-fidelity business and operational decisions require that decision makers, at all levels, have access to a rich multidisciplinary context that represent the complete state of a supply chain, line operation or asset performance. In many instances this information is, indeed, generated by sensors and other devices at the edge of the IoT network, but we must recognize that in most instances this data is significant but not sufficient. Reliable decisions need to incorporate operational and business data that are not necessarily “pure” IoT, such as inventory levels, financials, market intelligence, and so forth. These typically reside in enterprise software systems.

Humans Become Sensors

Sep 01

Virtual Reality is Awaiting its iPhone Moment

By Joe Barkai Augmented / Virtual Reality, Field Service, Service Lifecycle Management (SLM) No Comments

I have been involved in developing, evaluating and selecting tools and methods for field service and failure diagnostics in complex equipment for many years. Among the many technologies, virtual reality (VR), the technology that was heralded and then flopped in the 90s, seems to stage a comeback, thanks to significant improvement in hardware and visualization technologies, and eye-catching products like Google Glass (discontinued earlier this year), Oculus Rift (acquired by Apple in 2014) and Microsoft’s Hololens. A client sent me links to articles on virtual reality that appeared in a recent issue of The Economist and asked for an opinion.

The longer article, titled Grand Illusions, offers some historical perspective and discusses numerous opportunities for virtual reality applications, mostly related to gaming and gaming-like areas. The article cautions readers to “curb your enthusiasm”, citing multiple technology, human physiology and social barriers. Read More

Aug 24

Who Will Lead the Internet of Things Industry in Five Years?

By Joe Barkai Internet of Things (IoT) No Comments

I met a business acquaintance the other day. He asked me who I thought was leading the Internet of Things (IoT) industry. It was easy to dismiss the question by pointing out the large number of companies—many very young and quite small—that occupy this nascent space. But what about in the future? Who will lead the IoT industry 5 or 10 years from now?

How do you define leadership in IoT?

It’s not about connecting billions of devices, which is a useless metric.
It’s not about creating the “plumbing” of the Internet as many are fond of describing the IoT.
And it isn’t about the next generation of wireless communication that will be able to cram more data through the pipes of the Internet.