08.16.11
That’s So Yesterday
[Cartoon]
In some countries, people stand in line for water, food, gas, and other necessities. They stand in line because there is a limited supply. In America, we stand in line for the latest in electronics. Our necessity is to stay up with our peers. We want to be first. There is no obvious limitation on the supply.
There was a time when the new models of automobiles generated buyer frenzy. Every year the Detroit auto manufacturers saturated the media with their new look and exciting features. It was the talk at the water cooler in every office and even at the student crowd at school. But, eventually we all found the automobile was taking a big slice out of our home budget. That’s when we began making our transportation choices based on reliability and serviceability before style.
The makers of game machines have continued to generate buzz over their new products. However, the enthusiasm has begun to drop since all leading games can now support interactive 3D graphics.
The trends that drive buyers to the market place are difficult to predict. Yet, every organization that introduces new products is faced with the challenge of predicting sales. Complex products like the iPad are assembled from many parts. If the demand were to double, the supply chain would need to respond quickly. The supply chain could also be disrupted as what happened to Apple when Japan was devastated by the tsunami.
Supply chain for most products is global. Parts are made all over the world and assemblies take place all over the world. This complicates the supply chain due to all the many regulations that exist in all of the countries involved.
Any organization that manufactures products that are subject to vast swings in demand must have an automated supply chain. By tying the supply chain directly to the forecasted sales ranges, risks can be uncovered. Risks can then be mitigated by adding additional suppliers or delivery channels. Opportunities can be tested by simulating outcomes under different situations.
The model required for this type of simulation requires an enterprise perspective. It requires an Enterprise Architecture. It requires the services of Enterprise Architects who can bring visibility to an otherwise invisible mesh of processes, policies, and rules.
Organizations must stand ready. America is not always driven by supply and demand. Sometimes it is driven only by a demand to have the latest version of a product.
Enterprise Architects are well-aware of the continuing evolution of technology. They creatively look for technology convergence that can provide breakthroughs in thinking. We are at one of those convergent junctions today. What is about to happen will give non-professional information technologists control of their use of automation in their business. No longer will they simply peer through windows and see only what applications let them see. They will be able to go inside, see how things work, and control their automation. – Enterprise Architects Masters of the Unseen City
Closing the Business / IT gap.
