The technologies mentioned would go a long way toward raising efficiencies of existing manufacturing processes. Visibility and tracking technologies are prominent on the list, which speaks to a management trend to vertically integrate their organizations.
"Technology changes quickly, but not that quickly. Many high-tech developments start out as breakthroughs and then become trends"
Barbara, technology is changing very rapidly. Most of the companies are spending billions & millions of Dollar/Euro for research and developments of new technologies. But before making use of such inventions or productize such technologies, new inventions are updating the technology. So the repeated and unorganized R&D in same technological area makes the results in unfruitful manner. So I think there should be some uniformity among the research companies and they have to identify their own key areas for joint R&D, so that duplication of research can be avoided.
Good point. Probably it would have been more accurate to say the technologies that gain some traction are around long enough to become trends. And in many cases, they are updated/upgraded quickly.
Interesting post. I watch in awe the explosion in ecosystem opportunity and look forward to seeing how the various players capitalize on them. These days business is not as simple as bolting some widget together and selling it. Instead the real winners will command the content, distribution channels and consumer trending info.
This is a very interesting post and I look forward to the follow up. I am particulary interested to see how well Geo-spatial Visualizationtakes off. There are so many untapped opportunities with all of the mobile devices out there.
It will be worthwhile to see how much of these forecasts become reality in 2012. One of the disadvantages of all these evolving technologies as I see it is the businesses are soon going to loose their USPs and will be almost forced to folow the bandwagon in the fear of being left behind.
Some of the good and age old practices that some businesses may be following with success may be just forced to abandon them to go with the tide.
@prabakar: Deloitte includes their track record from the prior year on many of their releases. I'll check back on this one and see if they included that. They are usually pretty accurate.
I would like to express my humble opinion on this topic too.
I definitely think that in 2012, Wireless Sensor Networking (WSN) will be on the rise. Especially with the advances in low power electronics, capable MCUs and more importantly the increasing energy harvesting options and battery management mechanisms, WSN will be the talk of 2012 in my opinion.
On the suitable communication protocols for WSNs, a single winner looks unlikely as many groups want a piece of the action. There are quite a few suitable candidates, however only time will tell whether this wide spectrum of choice will be good or bad for this sector in the long run.
I am looking forward to an exciting year with WSNs!
So what do you think has changed now to ensure it becomes a success today?
I also have the same thought about WSNs. Having worked on wireless sensor networks - routing path and power consumption of sensor nodes. I think, the application areas and other issues working against its market boom.
Good question. What has changed to make me believe that WSN will take up in 2012?
There are two important moves that I think is going to help WSNs this year. For the first time in a few years, two IT standards have made a move towards WSNs: Bluetooth Low Energy and DECT Ultra Low Energy. I think such backing from well-established IT standards will definitely make a difference in 2012 for WSNs.
@Cryptoman, the wireless sensor market push from the afore-mentioned standards look pretty good. I hope to see them well absorbed in the market come 2012, especially DEC ULE.
Technologies Worth a Second Look " of course . Today,Iheardanamazingideasimilartothetechnologiesyoujustdescribed.Theideaissimply,tomakeourcarssmarterbyusingP2PnetworktopologiesinanequivalentwaythatourcomputerscommunicatewithP2P.Theinterestingpointisthateachcarwillaskthenextcar(usingP2P)tofinditswaywithoutusingGPSsystems.Thissystemseemstobeparticularefficientinsidebigcities.
Nemos--I love that idea. I hate driving in unfamiliar cities. Other than cabs, the most efficient way to get somewhere is to drive yourself. Trolleys, vans and buses frequently make multiple stops. Some kind of automated, individual transport that you don't have to think about works for me
It depends on what cities you are talking about. In many European cities the best and most efficient way to get somewhere is by public transport, especially by tram or subway. Of course I am talking about cities where public transport works very efficiently, just like a Swiss watch.
True Susan. I have lived in Europe and now i am living in India. There is a huge difference in the public transportation. In Europe, i need to just check the web to figure out what to take and when will i reach at my destination. If i mess up in my plan then its just going to web and figuring out what to do next. But in India, its better to be street smart and figure out things along the way!
Yes, the public transport Websites are very useful, they save you time and energy. Also, they are good to let you know when exactly you need to be at the stop, this is especially useful in winter when you can freeze otherwise if you have to stay longer sitting at the stop waiting.
I also appreciate that if you are in a country where you don't speak the language this is not a problem, as you can easily see an electronic announcement with the name of the next stop and/or an audio recording announcing the next stop, too. You just need to know where you have to get off.
I have never been to India, yet, but I will remember your advice. :)
Susan, as far as the transportation go in European countries and in India (and most of the developing countries) the experience is quite different. In Europe, the system is smart to the point that people are not used to knowing alternatives or advice at odd hours. In fact, if you are stuck at odd hours then there is either no way or very expensive way to get out. But in India, you can always find something unconventional way to reach your destination. And also people always are more starter than system :-).
That is quite right. Although there is always the night buses that can also take you out from somewhere or get you back home. But I am not really too familiar with this option as I don't need it.
What kind of unconventional way to reach your destination? :)
Himanshugupta :The power of Technologies cannot be underestimated. Your experience in both ends has given you a medium for better comparism. I strongly agree with your opinion because it is much easier to be street smart
I think what's worth mentioning in this list is the role of cloud computing and SaaS which is transforming the technology architecture within organizations and tend to influence other technologies as well. Cloud computing is enabling a lot of other paradigm shifts within the organization such as the use of consumer devices for business.
I agree with you that cloud computing has a vital role in shaping IT infrastructure, for example the vast amount of data involved in this form of computing would lead to the need for more advanced data warehouses and may indeed generate a true distruption in computiing as we know it. However, its limiting factor such as the speed of the internet connection may also spur innovations targeted at improving further data transfer speed.
@Barbara, I would like to know more about "Measured Innovation" ? Is this already happening or is it new trend which will emerge in 2012 ? And is this innovation limited to identifying the possible disruptions ?
@anadvy: I'll tell you what I know--this technology/discipline is already available and in-use. In terms of its applications, I don't think it's limited--in fact, I know the same concept is being applied to fostering innovation and new ideas from employees. But I will dig deeper and see if I can come up with something from the experts (such as Deloitte). Since this comes from their IT/CIO research group, there must be a hardware/software aspect to it that can be applied in business.
I like Nemos' idea of P2P cars. I worry about my old banger though which thinks GPS means "going particularly slowly" today (if at all).
I suppose it is only a matter of time before transport systems exist where there is no driver intervention. The technology is there today so at some poit it must come to the masses.
i believe that digital identity management and service is going to be a big market as the digital fingerprint that an individual or organization leaves behind can reform or destroy ones image. Right now there seems to be no company working in this field (or i am not aware of any). The biggest hurdle that seems to me is the difficulty in collecting ones digital content as most of it is either stored or owned by specific sites in servers. So until and unless users own their content; it will be difficult to be able to manage anything. So, i thinks there are opportunities for both digital content storage service and management.
Novel battery technology for car is under immense research efforts. This is very crucial to highly efficient autos and we may see very storng growth for it in 2012.
Heard today that Apple may be working on hydrogen fuel cell technology for portable power applications. It will be interesting to see if they can bring this technology to mainstream products.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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