Digital Twin, Industry 5.0 and the Convergence

Introduction

The convergence of technologies such as cloud computing, big data, IoT, and advanced analytics, along with the influence of industry 5.0 and human-centric design, is culminating in the creation of increasingly sophisticated digital twins that can be used to optimise performance and decision-making. Digital twins are virtual representations of physical objects or systems that allow real-time monitoring and analysis of their characteristics and behaviour. They are becoming increasingly important for optimising performance and decision-making in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and logistics. As technology evolves, digital twins will become even more widespread and integral to how organisations operate and make decisions, potentially impacting how we do business in the future through the increased use of data-driven approaches and automation.

The Convergence of our Technology

Digital twins are virtual representations of physical objects or systems that allow real-time monitoring and analysis of their characteristics and behaviour. They are increasingly important for optimising performance and decision-making in various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and logistics.

The concept of a "digital twin" has been around for decades. Still, it has only recently become feasible to create high-fidelity digital twins due to sensor technology, cloud computing, and data analytics. These technologies have made it possible to get a lot of data from physical objects or systems and process it in real-time. This makes it possible to make digital twins that are accurate and up-to-date.

One key aspect of digital twins is that they are dynamic, meaning they can change and evolve as the physical object or system changes. It allows for continuous monitoring and analysis of the object or system, enabling organisations to make more informed decisions and optimise performance.

Combining technologies like cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has made it possible to create many digital twins. Cloud computing lets you store and process a lot of data, and IoT lets you get data from physical objects or systems in real-time. Big data analytics tools can then be used to analyse and make sense of this data, creating digital twins that accurately reflect the characteristics and behaviour of physical objects or systems.

Digital twins are made possible by technological progress, but the idea is also influenced by Industry 5.0 and the larger idea of human-centred design. Industry 5.0, also called the "smart factory" or "Industry 4.0," is when advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics are used in manufacturing. It emphasises the use of data-driven approaches to optimise performance and decision-making and is closely related to the "digital twin" concept.

Human-centric design, on the other hand, focuses on the needs and preferences of people in the design process. This method aims to make products, services, and systems easy to use and improve the user's life. Human-centred design can be used in the context of digital twins to ensure that the user interface is easy to use and that the digital twin is easy to understand.

The combination of these technologies and approaches leads to creation of more advanced and sophisticated digital twins that can optimise performance and decision-making in various industries. For example, digital twins can be used in manufacturing to optimise production processes, reduce downtime, and improve quality control. In construction, they can be used to improve project planning and management, reduce costs, and minimise risks. Logistics can be used to optimise supply chain management and improve asset utilisation.

Overall, the coming together of technologies like cloud computing, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics, as well as the effects of industry 5.0 and human-centred design, are leading to the creation of digital twins that are getting smarter and smarter. As technology evolves, digital twins will become even more widespread and integral to how organisations operate and make decisions.

There are several reasons organisations should pay attention to digital twins and the value they can bring to their operations.

First, digital twins enable real-time monitoring and analysis of physical objects or systems, allowing organisations to make more informed decisions and optimise performance. For example, in manufacturing, a digital twin can be used to analyse production processes in real time, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies that can be addressed to improve performance. A digital twin can track how construction is going and spot problems that could affect project timelines or budgets. In logistics, a digital twin can optimise the movement of goods and assets, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Second, digital twins can help organisations reduce costs and minimise risks. By analysing data from a digital twin in real time, organisations can identify potential issues before they occur, allowing them to take proactive measures to prevent problems from arising. For example, a digital twin can find potential equipment failures in the manufacturing industry before they happen. This lets proactive maintenance be planned, which cuts downtime and costs. In construction, a digital twin can identify potential risks and take preventive measures to avoid delays or cost overruns. In logistics, a digital twin can optimise routes and reduce the risk of delays or lost assets.

Third, digital twins can help organisations to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. By using digital twins to optimise performance and decision-making, organisations can deliver better products and services to their customers, improving the customer experience and building brand loyalty. For instance, a digital twin can help improve the quality control of manufacturing, making sure that products meet customer needs. In construction, a digital twin can help plan and run projects better, ensuring they are done on time and to the customer's satisfaction. In logistics, a digital twin can be used to optimise the delivery of goods and services, improving delivery times and reducing the risk of errors.

Overall, the value that digital twins can bring to organisations is significant. By enabling real-time monitoring and analysis, reducing costs and risks, and improving customer satisfaction, digital twins can transform how organisations operate and make decisions. As such, organisations need to pay attention to this technology and understand how it can be leveraged to improve performance and drive business results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, industry 5.0 and human-centred design are impacting the development of increasingly complex digital twins that can optimise performance and decision-making across various industries. As technology evolves, digital twins will become even more widespread and integral to how organisations operate and make decisions. These technologies include cloud computing, big data, IoT, and advanced analytics.

Digital twins enable the continuous monitoring and analysis of physical objects or systems, allowing organisations to make more informed decisions based on real-time data. One possible impact of these developments is the increased use of data-driven approaches to organisation size performance and decision-making. It could lead to a shift towards a more data-driven culture, where data is used to drive decision-making at all levels of the organisation.

Another possible impact is the increased automation of processes and decision-making. It could make some tasks and decisions happen automatically, freeing people to do more complicated or creative work. With digital twins, organisations can analyse data in real-time and use machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and make recommendations for action.

Digital twins will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of business. Overall, it is difficult to predict exactly how these developments will impact how we do business in the future. However, digital twins can transform organisations’ operations and decisions. Organisations need to pay attention to this technology and understand how it can be leveraged to improve performance and drive business results.

My experience with flying cheap, travel insurance - flyscoot & Ace Group insurance

Recently I took a flight with Scoot. The experience was really great, I can not fault the company or the service. For what I paid, it was great value for money and a great experience. The next aspect of travel is travel insurance. When purchasing a ticket with Scoot the sites offers travel insurance as part of the purchase process. IN MY OPINION DO NOT TAKE THIS OPTION.

Unless you are insuring over a trip that is substantially over $250 it is not work the money you pay for insurance supplied by the ACEGROUP. I would suggest to think twice. My experience with the company informed me of the excess of $250, which everyone would no because we all read the fine print. And ACE GROUP make it abundantly clear at the purchase point that there was an excess. O no there wasn't because if they had made it clear I suspect many would not take the insurance out. They must have just forgotten to do this, or not.

The issues is I had to cancel a ticket due to having to fly a week earlier. The price is good because Scoot keeps the money if you can't make it. Unless you take out the extra $46 to change your ticket. But then that put you in competition with other airlines. So you would think the travel insurance would cover, Wrong that is with ACEGROUP the online option of travel insurance is just not work the price.

The site accepts request for insurance that is paid for by your credit card, they don't have any real error checking as I had mistakenly put my birth date as a 11 years old. In my conversation with the person on the phone this started to be an issue.

In Summary
Flying with Scoot is great value and comfortable option. So long as you are prepared to lose the money if you change your mind or you take out the option to change your date. Which then increases the price and starts to move you in to looking for other options.

Travel Insurance Is Good
Is a good thing to take out and highly recommend for all travel. There are options out there but based on my experience I will not use ACEGROUP again. As this blog states, this is my rants and raves and so this is my experience and opinion.

In the past I have used a company called COVER-MORE. As they say insurance is as good as your claim. Well I had to make a claim in the past with this company and they could not have been better. I had traveled with an airline which refunded half the cost of the flight to KL and COVER-MORE refunded the other half. It was easy and painless to claim and a great experience.

We May Fail BUT We Are NOT Failures

A former commander of the US and International forces, GeneralStanley Mc Chrystal, gave what I considered an incredible presentation at a TEDconference, April 2011. At about 7 minutes and 20 seconds he told of a situation he faced after a training exercise. He made such a profound statement that differentiates so called leaders, and real leaders.

The initial example he gave was a situation where he was made to feel an absolute failure. It was 18 months after joining one of his first battalions, that he met the battalion commander. His first interaction was at the 18 mile mark, during a 25 mile road march. The commander chewed him out for 40 seconds about something that he had failed to do. He was not sure you could class it as an interaction, but he was made to feel a total failure.

I dare say many have experienced this type of interaction with our superiors over our lives. Some of these people are key figures in our lives, or held positions of power, which increased the impact of their words. This was an example of how not to manage mistakes, or incidences of where people fail.

The section I felt that was profound, was the story he told about a military exercise that he was involved with, early in his military career. After many, major military exercises there are reviews. He was the company commander at the time and had failed early in that exercise. In these situations a large screen is raised to display the entire exercise for review. Throughout this process everyone is informed of what was done well and what was not. After the session he walked out feeling as he said, as low as a snake's belly in a wagon rut.

On leaving the review he saw his battalion commander. Due to his past experience he went to apologise for his mistakes, as he felt that had let his commander down. Before he had got the words out, his battalion commander indicated that he had done a great job. In one sentence, he had lifted him up, and placed him back on his feet. In that instance he was taught that leaders can let you fail, yet not let you be a failure.

2014 - Technology the year ahead

2013 was the year many of the ideas of what and where technology is going was more buzz than actuality. Towards the end of 2013 things started to settle and during 2014 I believe they will become more main stream.
Areas I believe will have a big impact and start to increase in adoption and topic which are developing but still need to go further.

Cloud or (Infrastructure 3.0 / Services)

This was such a controversial subject. It was amazing the number of legal experts in the IT market space in this topic. Its a pity that many were quoting a friend of a friend, or something they read. Bottom line I think the Australian Government Chief Information Officer: Glenn Archer best said it at a FutureGov Summit in Perth in 2011. Was classify your systems, programs and data, get over it and get on it. The whole topic really is that the Cloud is not a silver bullet that it is horses for courses, Its all around risk.  Until we know what we have and what our risk appetite is we are not in a position to determine what cloud services and what data can go where. 
I believe that the important part about Cloud is the architecture. Building an infrastructure that is based around a consumption model. Having the ability to consume services, CPU, Storage and Network resource and when they are not needed returning them back to a pool. Building our infrastructure to have that ability and when and if we want to consume cloud services its a matter of pointing to the location and consuming the service.
One of the things I try to do in this area of conversation is not even to mention the word cloud, as it clouds the issue. I refer to different services. It tends to reduce the religious conversations on peoples beliefs and returns the conversation to facts, risks and costs. Because cloud does not necessarily reduce costs, the services can be higher. But sometimes the increase in cost is due to something that might work better. Like all systems, cost can be low due to the system being flaky and the system not being used with work-a-rounds being the order of the day. But when a service works and people become productive they then consume more so cost increase also can be a reflection of increased productivity.
I find at time with the disconnect of IT from the business, you will hear the complaint of IT costing too much. This I believe is a classic case of Business not owning their IT to provide their business outcomes and IT driving decisions based on their view of the world which is not reflective of the business. 
There are three questions to qualify technology decisions and they are the same that business uses for the rest of the business.

1. Is this technology going to save the business MONEY?
2. Is this technology going to improve my business PROCESSES?, or
3. Is this technology going to do both, Save me Money and improve my processes?

It is that simple. Because why else would you take on the technology? I then get comments that its future proofing, well that can be shown to be saving money. IT and business need to step back and look further than just this day or month. This is where having an understanding of the business strategy and where it is wanting to go and the working to provide systems and software to provide the outcomes the business need or organisation needs to provide its services. It IT and business talk together and at the same time when they are looking to the future it is amazing what can be achieved. 

Multi-Cloud

Another area that is about to hit is the Multi-Cloud. As businesses start to consume these services managing the different services from different providers will become a challenge. Security, Access, Data Protection, Disaster Recovery and Backup all will present their own challenges. 

Cloud Transference 

Once you have selected your services and have been consuming them you may reach a point where you find that the service is not what you want, or there has been a change or the services needed are not provided. In the mean time you have built a large quantity of data. Picking up that data and moving it will present some of the challenges in the future. This is being addressed in some part with the NBN in Australia but if the service is not in Australia how do you transport and validate your data. That traffic is also a cost and the time involved could create its own issues. The other side is can you access your data? in what format is that data? can it be processed to be imported into a new service. These are really things that need to be considered before taking on a service.

Consumerization and our Business Technology 

As time has moved on the technology between work and home has blurred. The lines between work and home again have blurred. This is creating considerable challenges to business and how they delivery their technology to the business consumer.

There is an expectation that business technology is either old or complex and the business consumer is wanting to only do their job and not be a technology specialist. They know that their technology at home can be far more complex and sophisticated but it is simple to use and consume. There is an expectation that business should work the same and they keep asking why it is not. We have gone through BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), COD(Corporate Own Devices) and now we are getting BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) which has grown wider and wider each day. Its not just a matter of device management as more and more the device will not belong to the business. What business is needing to do is create their services so it can be consumed the same and what people are use to with their own personal technology. What the business does need to do is manage their data. Who has it, where is it and who is responsible and how can they retrieve or delete their data which is their property.

Wearable Technology

The next exciting area is wearable technology and all you need to do is to see what was presented at the CES2014 (Consumer Electronic Show). Glasses, Kiwimove (Movement Activity Sensor), Myo Band (Gesture Control), GlassUp, Smart Glasses M100, Epson Wearable Screens, LG Lifeband, Fitbit, Watches (Pebble - Carbon Steel), Niki Fuel Band, Jawbone activity band,   Eye Tracking technology (Tobii) many more will appear this year. These are just a few and more are on their way. 

One of the technologies I have purchased is Leap Motion and their proximity sensor. similar to the Kinect from Microsoft the main difference with the Leap Motion device is the cost US$79 and accuracy and size.

Social Media / Web and Policy

This is becoming a bigger topic this year. It is fascinating how many organisation consider this a technology issue when in reality it is a HR (Human Resources) issue. At this point in time there are some 300+ and possibly more sites which are considered social. When looking around to get and understanding of what is social there are many examples. 

Wikipedia: Social media refers to interaction among people in which they create, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.

Dictionary.com: social media

noun ( usually used with a plural verb ) Digital Technology .

websites and other online means of communication that are used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and professional contacts

Oxforddictionaries.com: websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.

A simple example is, you have a photo and you either email it or put it online and point people to it or make available to other to see. That picture is considered social media. Basically and area online where people interact. Very much like the physical world but done in a virtual environment. 

What is important to business is the conduct of staff and their use of Social Media which:

• is likely to cause serious damage to the employment relationship; or
• the conduct damages the employer's interests; or
• the conduct is incompatible with the employee's duty as an employee

So as you can see locking access to Facebook does nothing. As it is the outcomes of their actions when they are using the different social media sites that a business should be focused on. The use and over use of any particular site or service should be determined based on management of staff and what they do and how they utilise the technology and services within a business. More importantly than just having a social media policy is showing that you the business have educated your staff on the topic. A great example produced for NSW DEC social media policy explained is a really good example. 

Tablets Computing Technology

Many time this discussion resorts to a religious debate, especially with users of apple technology. But at the end of the day it is the tool that fits the need. For apple users that is their 'i' series of technology with pads, phones and computers.

Again as with all technology it is horses for courses. The right tool for the right purpose.

iOS - iPads / iPhones

This will continue and provide many people a very easy to use device to consume services. Email, Digital Magazines, Browse the Internet, watch movies and take video and picture. Great consumer tool, and I hear the people say it also provides for the enterprise. I agree to a point. That is if you develop the apps to interface with your applications within the enterprise this works very well and there are some exceptional business cases to show that. BUT, and that is a big BUT, you have to do the development. The i-Series of technology does not seamlessly integrate into the most common business environment which love it or hate it, is Microsoft. There are better apps coming out but they end up being work-a-rounds and not seamless integration.

Apps we have millions

This is the next augment presented by the apple side, my augment is so what. I would say I am a bit of a geek and use my technology quite a bit more than most but all up I have 57 apps on my phone and might use 10 on a regular basis. I can't store millions of apps let alone use millions of apps. I have the basics covered, digital magazine, audio books, music, email, browsing, step counter, four squares, chat. Most of the different platforms have the basics covered and so the quantity of applications does not really matter. It is the quality and not the quantity, you need to be able to achieve the outcomes you want and if one platform does not meet that requirement they you choose another. I speak from the experience of having many of the different platforms and devices using them for what they are good at, as well as being aware of their pluses and negatives.

Big Data

To really understand this area of the technology space is to understand what it is. With big data there are a number of 'V' words that express what it is. They are:

• Volume - Scale of Data
• Velocity - analysis of streaming data
• Variety - different forms of data
• Veracity - Uncertainty of data
• Value - what is the value 

When looking at data in these scales these V each present their own challenges and opportunities. The downfall especially with the Variety of data is knowing how to make use of these different sources of data to get a meaning full return and value out of the data. This area of expertise is hard to find.

An example of Variety of data that once put together produce a value that no one had previously thought about. Take local council information about fruit bearing trees. This happen in Seattle where they get volunteers to harvest the fruit from public trees. This is time consuming and not all the fruit is picked. This leaves a clean up and is wasteful. An application was developed in Washington where you can enter your details of where you live, where you work and the fruit you might be interested in based on a list of seasonally available fruit from these public trees. The app will calculate your journey via these location to proved the most efficient trip and method to collect your fruit.

Another example a person collected all the public information about crime and murder. Then plotting it on a publicly available map showed the major crime areas and their crimes. This would be helpful you would think, but the effect on property prices was devastating. Because people were reviewing this information before buying a property. Good for the buyer not so good for the seller.

The challenge in the Big Data space is the realisation of the value and have the skill and resources to be able to analysis the information to return that value.

As the title of this blog states these are my rants and raves and my view of what is for 2014.

Technology, Simplifying the User Experience

How do we make it easy to use?

In 2011 I had the great fortune to have been awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship. In 2012 I then took my research trip which went from the 11th May - 13th July. To say I had a ball is a vast understatement. But my trip was to research how we make technology easy to use and who is doing it and how are they doing it.
On my return I then needed to write up my report. If you are interested you can download it from the Churchill Memorial Site. But I thought I would put my executive summary and conclusion here.

Executive Summary

The impact of the complexity of technology is a major factor in the delivery of services to the Department for Child Protection. Currently we have a large and complex client records management system which is served from the desktop computers within the department. With the advent of the iPad and many other forms of mobile technology, the department is considering the possibility of using these types of devices in the field of child protection. Due to the size of many of these devices, the current style of design of many applications is not conducive to mobile devices. The biggest issue is the amount of screen space or territory that these mobile devices offer.

The main theme behind this project is to better understand the issues associated with usability and the reduction of complexity in the technology we use. A good example is with the current Apple iPads. If you talk to an owner of an iPad they will talk about what they do and create. Any mention about technology and complexity of the programs does not form any part of their conversation. Based on the view that if Apple can reduce complexity, then how can this be achieved with other technology? Can we reduce that complexity in the technology that the Department for Child Protection uses? How do we make technology facilitate the outcomes of our social workers?
This project took the perspective of four groups in the delivery of this technology. The groups were Users, Developers, Manufacturer’s and Business. From a user perspective the project was aiming an understanding what the user wants to achieve with their technology. What are the challenges and frustrations that users face when using technology?

As a developer, how did they come to their decisions in the development and delivery of products. The manufacturer’s was it based around sound user analysis and understanding the user’s needs? How did they align themselves with both their customers’ needs and the needs of their business? The Business or Government perspective was understanding why many don’t believe they are able to direct the outcomes.
During my research around the world I met many different companies, dealing with software and hardware; I visited Stanford and Harvard to meet with business departments and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) or Computer Human Interaction (CHI) to obtain an understanding how people in the field of usability and Human Factor Engineering (HFE) address these area of usability and interaction with technology.

The following report covers my journey and the interactions I had with the people and organisations that I met. I needed to understand the questions as well as look for answers. What I did learn was that as I gain more knowledge and information the less I knew and the more I needed to learn. I came across some really good questions and some better insights.

This trip and report is just the start of my journey and further education on this field of study. The experience has been priceless and set me on a solid foundation to better inform organisations on the topic of usability and to simplify the technology that we use.
 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have found that the more I learn the less I know and the more I need to learn. The experience has given me a greater appreciation and insight into the area of usability, especially making technology easier to use. The use of anything new being it phone, TV or computer is one factor that is common to all and that is design. Design of the actual device and the design in how we use it to get the outcome we are looking to achieve.
I have met people in the areas of software development, manufacturing, business, educational institutions and usability instructors and consultants as well as authors who write on the topic and other areas that are influenced with and by usability. From these interactions, I have discovered that the issue of usability and addressing it is not new. The topic of Usability and Human Factor Engineering has been around for well over
60+ year and is a doctoral subject. However, many factors have led us to this point in time with our use of technology. The speed of the change in our technology has a big impact to its usability.

Steve Job’s at Apple saw this more than most, and the work that he has done in taking Apple from the brink of bankruptcy has been to his efforts in challenging the norm. He has done this by thinking differently to what has gone in the past. Using one of his famously quoted statement “Think Different” he looked at what people were wanting to achieve and doing that as simply as possible. This is designing for outcomes rather than just capturing data.

Computers started in the laboratories but then moved to the domestic market. From there, the technology grew organically and it was the realm of the nerds and geeks. Software was looked upon as magic by many in the domestic market. It was a toy for the geeks and nerds; and due to that fact it had a major influence as to how software and the applications were developed. Much of the learning in this space did not have too much structure and was the realm of trial and error. Skills were shared and learnt quickly but from the perspective of the geeks and nerds. They understood what could be done and had some idea of how they
were going to deliver the outcomes. Those outcomes were usually grounded in sound computer skills or programming structure and design.

The approach of developers was to capture the information or data, manipulate that data to produce the results that were being sought. This was usually by a set of business rules and algorithms. The resulting information was then reported to the screen and or printer. In the early days of application and the web everyone had their view on what worked. Over time standards were developed but they were from the perspective of the developers. There were early attempts to address usability and standards started to appear. Many of the early attempts at this area of computer use were based on the visual aesthetics and design elements. People like Jakob Nielsen based a lot of this work in conjunction with Don Norman on Human Computer Interaction science in which Jacob held a Ph.D. and Donald Norman who worked in the field of cognitive science, design and usability engineering. The Nielsen Group led much of the discussion and debate about website usability and the standards around building these sites.

Every so often, there would be software or hardware that came along that changed how we interacted with computers and software systems. The biggest of these was the introduction of the Apple MAC. Before then many worked at the command line with strange commands and sequences of letters, numbers and names. Windows came along making access to this technology a little easier but it was still not mainstream. In the early 90’s came the internet and from there grows daily our interactions and fascination of the technology.

It was not until Steve Jobs had returned to Apple in 1996 that things started to really change in design and interfaces within technology. When the iPad was released in January 2010, people started to see that the use of technology could be made easier. That influence of the iPad and iPhone has changed our understanding of the use of complex technology. These innovations have led to the raising of the expectations of users and the technology they use.

What Steve Jobs brought about was the consideration of outcomes based design. As Apple designed its products, the market started to understand that technology can be easy and intuitive to use, by designing products to function the way people think and work and not on the capabilities of the device. Interfaces of the past were more about the functions and features, while not much effort was place in the aesthetics. The issue was that unattractive, convoluted, or illogical interfaces would feel like a chore when using the application even if it was a great product. Use of these systems became the realm of the geek and nerds. With the advent of the iPad and iPhone, beautiful, intuitive, compelling user interfaces enhance the application’s functionality. It inspired a positive emotional attachment in users. This has increased to such an extent that these devices have now become personal; people place a large amount of emotional attachment to these devices. The devices are taken everywhere in their daily lives and events People cannot go to bed at night unless it is nearby.

My project was to get a better appreciation on the how’s and why’s of technology usability. In better understanding, this topic I could potentially apply this knowledge to how we go about developing products and services for our field staff. The experience of this trip has led me to discoveries that there is nothing special, there is no silver bullet or solution in getting this right other than our approach. We have the ability, the technology, the understanding and have always been aware of the issues. But I believe it is in our approach to development of devices and solutions that we need to consider.

In the past, we have concentrated on the capturing and the data. We have been worried that if we miss the data, we will not be able to carry out the task. In many systems and devices, this has been to the detriment of the user and their experience in working with these systems. As time went by we started to address usability but it has been treated as an afterthought. Most of the work in this area has been based around the aesthetics of the interface, system and or device. The problem was that by the end of the project when usability people were involved with the project, much of the work needed to be carried out could not as the product was about to leave the building. So usability was more based on aesthetic look and feel.

Steve Jobs turned that concept on its head by changing the focus and the point of engagement of the designer and engineers getting together at the start of the project and having a far greater involvement overall and on the outcomes of the product and services. The first Apple Computer led this. Where Steve Wosniak wanted to release the computer as a kit, Steve insisted that it be developed as a completed computer. By the time the first MAC computer came to market this concept had been developed to a far great level. The problem was a new company and not having the financial backing. Steve Jobs ended up being removed from the company. On his return, he was face with a company that was close to bankruptcy. He redefined what the company would develop. It was taken from a line of some 20 or 30 lines of products to four. Laptops for home and business and desktops for home and business. Company moral was raised over 100% and focus was towards building the best product.

What had changed was the perspective that was taken when developing both products and services. They asked simple questions as they were developing and designing. Was what was the end user trying to achieve? They gathered all the things that were believed to be needed. Then they concentrated on reducing elements until only the elements needed to achieve the outcome were left. Everything was centred on the end user experience and how the user was empowered to use the device. In my meetings and visits, I was researching how companies are starting to address the issue of outcomes based design. How are they implementing those perspectives and practices in to the production of their products and services? Is there something that was a mystery in what they are doing or how they are doing it? To what level are they embracing this approach and is it based on a solid foundation? Could I learn from their work and apply it to our work in Child Protection or any agency that dealt with the public? I was aiming to achieve an understand how technology and its solutions could become better enablers to the field of social work and not a barrier to carrying out their tasks.

What I had started to discover was that companies are starting to take this seriously and it was due to the financial survival, that the end users were becoming more vocal. Comments such as “make it like the iPad”, it is easy to use and “you don’t need much training” is having an impact on the adoption of the different technologies, software and services. The users have a taste of technology that is enabling them to do what they have not been able to carry out in the past; they are feeling more in control. My experience to date has shown that the approach that Apple had started is having an effect on what people are looking to achieve
with their technology. In addition, they are asking the question “why can’t they work like the iPad?” This raised the question. Why all technology can’t be designed in the same manner as the Apple products.

I now know that I need to address this issue of technology complexity. It was in a single line in a recent TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) conference video. Reduce the complexity and simplify and….

“Design for Outcomes and the Experience”

Technology and where to from here

So as more and more tablets and the talk of mobility in computing grows where are we going? We now have tablets, ultra notebooks, laptops, tablets clamshells (This is the tablet that detaches from a keyboard array). These tables range from 7" to 11" and bigger, there is a plethora of choices but how is this sustainable and practical. The other side of the coin is our communications devices are starting to grow in size, that is the mobile phone. Samsung with their Galaxy Note and Note 2, 5.5" display. Then the ASUS padfone which combines both the phone which then attaches to a tablet and becomes part of the whole device. Then you see some phone companies building a second basic phone device that bluetooths to the mini tables to give the phone functionality.

From my knowledge and what I see in the market I predict that we will start to see more of this merger of both technology. I see phone will grow to a 6-6.5" in size, the screen technology growing to the edges of these devices which will reduce the need to increase the size. The Bluetooth technologies to give more phone connectivity to the device without having the device in your hand. Better use of voice recognition to use the phone functionality. 

I see the tablets starting to standardise around the 10-11" but the devices reducing in size with respect to the bezel size around the screen. I still believe that a stylus capability is needed and having that functionality with the pen embedded into the tablet is great. But until the voice recognition gets better and the interface to applications and their use with voice is developed much further a keyboard is still a requirement, be that on screen or an actual keyboard. The style used by the window slate pro keyboard cover is good and seeing more development in providing a good tactile experience will still be needed for a little longer. Experimentation in the area of laser keyboards will grow, improve and become embedded. The final area is the proximity interaction with these devices will mature. Work that has been done by Microsoft and lately taken up by Leap motion will start to become embedded as well into these devices improving and increasing the capability of the touch and tactile experience with interfacing into these technologies.

The next major revolution will be in the area of screen transparency technology which currently with the work at MIT with transparent batteries and the work by LG and a number of other companies in transparent screen technology I don't believe that this is too far off before reaching the commercial market.

Boy what a future we have a head of us. The possibilities can best be show in a video on YouTube called a Day in Class A Day in Glass

Device Fit for Purpose

At the moment the market is starting to be flooded with different devices, that is tablet devices. The mobile phone is growing in size and in the middle we have the 7 inch device (or more correctly 17.8cm) but 7 inch is easier to remember. All the companies in the different camps of Microsoft, Android and Apple claiming to be better than the other offering. But as the title indicates we really need to look at all of these devices and what we are looking to employ them to do.

Looking at a device and asking the question of what you want them to be employed for makes you stop and think. We all know we want it easy to use and for a long time Apple has held that position but that is changing. With the advent of Windows 8, Android Jellybean and iOS6x we are starting to see the differences are being reduced. The debates on one operating system of the other is moving more into the religious realm rather than the employment realm.

I have a tablet which is a 11inch device. This size is similar to an A4 piece of paper. Being pen based this is practical and works across both the analogue and digital realm. The best part of the tablet it started to reduce my electronic stack to the extent that it was portable to the extent of removing the need for a laptop and more powerful than my desktop. Working on that premise will soon replace the desktop. Replace it to the extent of the computer on my desk but I will plug into the Large screen and keyboard.

With respect to mobile consumption of data and information and the ability to function digitally the tablet has offered that. The issue I discovered on a recent overseas trip is that the tablet computer was just that little to big and was hard to manage. For those quick items or period of time when I wanted to browse my mobile filled that place. For sometime my mobile phone was my mobile consumption device and even though it did the job it was a bit small and the battery life was not that good. I finally obtained a Nexus 7inch device. This device then provided a large enough screen to read digital books as it was more akin to a paperback size. Ability to watch video where I could reach the end of a number of them before requiring a recharge and finally listen to audio books. I could also read and respond to email and browse the net.

The beauty of the 7inch format is that it fitted my pocket and I could store and retrieve the device quickly and efficiently. This size and format was important and it was with disbelief when Apple who was known for their insights into usability and functionality released a device which is about .5 inch bigger. It does not fit in your pocket so you are then in a position to carry it in a case or some sort. On that basis for an extra $100+ you could buy an iPad which gave the larger format screen and provides a better experience and value for money proposition.

For quite a while I have been asking the Microsoft crowd when will the Windows8 7inch device be delivered to market. I got blank looks and re-directed to the new slate. Well today I noticed an article quoting Microsoft's Chief Financial Officer Peter Klein alluding to a smaller device on the horizon. What I believe is that Microsoft will release a 7inch device but that the evolution with be better screen technology and finally reducing to a 6-6.5inch device and that the mobile phones will move up to this space. Fingers cross and let see.

2012 ends, so what for 2013?

So what a year, both form a technology perspective and personally. Personally I got to complete my Churchill Fellowship and spend 9 weeks travelling around the world. I got to meet some interesting people and saw some interesting sights and project. I have come back with much in the ways of ideas but still looking for the opportunity to actually apply them.

Currently I am the vice president of the WA Churchill Fellowship Association and this year we ran the National Conference which was great. I got to meet and talk with many other Churchill fellows from around Australia. We got some great ideas and looking to a very active year next year 2013. We are holding a number of events; We have decided to separate the Returning Fellows and the presentation night of the new fellows. A cocktail party and finish the year with a Churchill Birthday Bash. We are hoping to generate interests and value to becoming a member of the association and relevance.
 
Rotary I have accepted to take on the Presidency of the Rotary Club of Heirisson in 2014/15. But first I serve as President elect for a year 2013/14. We have the Duck Race in March and I have taken on the design and graphics.

Musically Enchant Unlimited was looking to close down but a number of the members spoke to me and asked if I could keep things going. So from February 4th we start and are looking to kick off with 10+ singers. I have started to put a program together just having to come up with a name, one is "Broadway to Hollywood" but that is a work in progress. I look like I will have a great support team and looking forward to a great year.

Still in Cornerstone lodge and many will have a chuckle to themselves when they hear that I will be the Chaplin for the ensuing year. The master of the lodge said he was wanting me to take on the role as he considered it a role where someone would network among the members.

So what about the technology were do I think it will go this year.  As I indicated last year this was the year of the tablet and it can only get better. The three contenders with operating systems have now come to what I believe is a level playing field, with Windows 8 which Microsoft is considering changing its name. Windows 8 is a 180 degree change in the way you interact with a computer. It took me a very little amount of time to pick up and I really love it. Finally I have got an operating system that is starting to get to the point of working at the speed I am thinking. Its fast, intuitive and works.

Android and Jellybean is great to. For the Nexus 7 I have it too does what I need and want. Apple still continuing along its track. This year for Apple was just evolutionary and no revolutionary changes. Their life cycle has reduced and I don't think that is good. The price people pay for their technology, especially for Apple I don't think people are too happy buying expensive equipment to have it superseded only 6 months later. I am looking forward to see what Apple does this year but there is no indication of anything new on the horizon only further upgrades to existing products. The mini iPad I believe totally missed the point for its size but maybe it was an introduction in to some of the size issues with iPad's. I suspect that we will see a new iPad that is thinner and has more technology under the hood but not much more than that. It is concerning that Apple has return to selling bits and bytes. Steve Jobs would sell the dream and that is what people brought into it was the dream not the bits and bytes.

Windows 8 has had some resistance but from what I have read to date most reviews have either not even use the operating system or only judged it based on a cursory trial. I use all technology and I buy technology to do a job, if it does not do the job I get something else. Windows 8 is a complete revamp, yes a complete change but something that now is starting to work. After a little time with a tablet I liked it so much I put it on my desktop.

The next piece of technology I am really waiting to get my hands on is a device that has been developed by Leapmotion. This device will make using a computer very interesting especially with the new Windows 8 operating system. I have two on order and keenly wait for it to arrive early Jan/Feb.

The other area that will grow will be the mobile phone cross with 7 inch tablet. the 7 inch tablet I believe will develop in the area of screen resolution and the size of the screen within the 7 inch area. The point of these devices is that they fit in your pocket and are the size of a paperback. That is where the iPad mini just totally missed the point being that much bigger than your pocket means you have to carry it in a bag and if you are going to put it in a bag then why not go the full distance and get an iPad. This will become more relevant with the next iPads. I believe that the next iPads will become smaller in thickness, more powerful and higher resolution screens. The screen area will grow and the masking on the screen will reduce. As this happens then the iPad mini will become more irrelevant.

I believe that the Phone and 7 inch tablet will get closer and the next area will be the Bluetooth ear pieces will become more sophisticated so that you can use the phone function on these devices with more ease. Jawbone technology is going to become more prevalent in this area as well. Another area due for more attention is voice recognition. Less visible interaction with devices and voice driven.

The main thing I believe will come in 2013 is a 7 inch Microsoft Tablet, fingers crossed.

Disruptive Innovation Apple and the Future

Disruptive Technology

"As companies tend to innovate faster than their customers’ needs evolve, most organizations eventually end up producing products or services that are actually too sophisticated, too expensive, and too complicated for many customers in their market." - Clayton Christensen

Many of these factors can be applied to apple except maybe the complicated to use. But what has changed recently is the speed with which apple is bringing things to market. So far this year we have had the iPhone, 4s, 5 and already predictions of 5s early next year. The iPad has become the New iPad, iPad 4 and the mini iPad. Again a new mini and possible iPad predicted early next year.  Apple produce high quality for the most demanding users but how are they feeling with their investment being superseded so quickly? How many times will they return to buy a new device if it is being improved and upgraded so quickly? or will they start to take on the "Osborne Effect". Early in the PC era there was a company called Osborne Computers. They started in the market quick promisingly but soon after starting they would start to market what was coming next. People were buying their computers which were quite expensive in those days. We are talking the 1985-1995 period. So buying a computer was a big decision. Buyer were encouraged to buy more as is the norm you got some technology you can always do with more as it will make thing easier to do. But what happen was the sales people of Osborne Computers were starting to suggest to their buyers to buy the latest computer, but in the next breath inform the client that if they waited a little longer there was a bigger and better computer coming. As most of the computer being used were performing well businesses would wait. The next computer came out and business would delay. The sales teams would then hit the market, they had a growing client base so to keep them they would continue to service them. But decisions to buy were taking time and the computers were still being effective. Again the sale people would try to make the sale but again the next breath suggest waiting for the next greatest system coming out. The only problem is that business did keep waiting as the next computer was going to be bigger, faster, better but there was one problem to this model the company needed to sell its current technology more consistently to support it future technology development and sale. Buy the time they realised this the company had gone.

"Companies pursue these “sustaining innovations” at the higher tiers of their markets because this is what has historically helped them succeed: by charging the highest prices to their most demanding and sophisticated customers at the top of the market, companies will achieve the greatest profitability." - Clayton Christensen 

For quite a number of years Apple has been on a sustaining innovation track. Many of their innovations have been ground breaking and game changing to a number of different industries outside of computing. Much of this innovation lead by Steve Jobs, a founder and CEO of Apple. A lot of these innovations have been quite large jumps and Apple has been a market leader in consumer electronics with the release of the iPod, iPhone and iPad. These were massive game changers and were what I believe Blue Ocean devices. In true Blue Ocean Strategy they eliminated the competition, for quite a while there was no competition, Apple owned the space.

"The cornerstone of Blue Ocean Strategy is 'Value Innovation'. A blue ocean is created when a company achieves value innovation that creates value simultaneously for both the buyer and the company. The innovation (in product, service, or delivery) must raise and create value for the market, while simultaneously reducing or eliminating features or services that are less valued by the current or future market. The authors criticize Michael Porter's idea that successful businesses are either low-cost providers or niche-players. Instead, they propose finding value that crosses conventional market segmentation and offering value and lower cost. Educator Charles W. L. Hill proposed this idea in 1988 and claimed that Porter's model was flawed because differentiation can be a means for firms to achieve low cost. He proposed that a combination of differentiation and low cost might be necessary for firms to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage." - W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

But as indicated with Disruptive Innovation Apple has open the door to "disruptive innovators" at the bottom of the market. The likes of Samsung, HTC, Google and many others enters the bottom end of the market. These companies produced products which allowed a whole new population of consumers to access the technology that was historically only accessible to consumers with a lot of money. Apple products were not cheap and they are still in the top end of the price market. As many have experienced Apple controls their market price and no one can discount. For Apple this is good, it keep the position of the product in the market and their margins are high. The thing with disruptive innovation is that is does not address the top end of the market due to a number of factors. The product is inferior, does not have the polish or capabilities of the higher end product but one things it does have is price and an approximation to the high end product. The buyer are not so fussy and are prepared to put up with these deficiencies. But what happens next is the part that many industries have failed to take into account is the speed and veracity of development and improvement. Due to the price companies are able to turn over more product and then develop further product. At each iteration they start to improve their offerings and each offering is then purchased with much more zeal. This cycle of improvement then moves them closer to Apples customer base. For a while now Apple would then present to the market a product that was well hidden and a leap above the others and again secure their foot hold and market presence. Another factor which Apple has always claim to be their ability to do so well is that they own the entire Apple eco-system. That is both the hardware and software, which has given them quite an ability to manage and control how their products and services worked together. But again this is changing.

"Characteristics of disruptive businesses, at least in their initial stages, can include:  lower gross margins, smaller target markets, and simpler products and services that may not appear as attractive as existing solutions when compared against traditional performance metrics.  Because these lower tiers of the market offer lower gross margins, they are unattractive to other firms moving upward in the market, creating space at the bottom of the market for new disruptive competitors to emerge." - Clayton Christensen

So there is not much in the margins in the bottom end of the market for Apple. Their products are high quality and high value designed for the most demanding customers and to change that would lose that market. In the last year we have seen so many different devices coming out and competing with Apple and trying to find their market place and customers. Apple has not paid any attention to the lower end of the market as those products and services were not competing with Apple as they did not have the quality or compare to what Apple was offering. But as disruptive innovation has moved we are now seeing that the likes of Samsung is knocking at the door as are many companies. Google developed their open source platform "Android" and now Microsoft with Windows 8. Apple has resorted to the legal avenue which for Samsung has been a great marketing campaign. It is totally a perspective but to be compared to being like or similar to Apple has raised its profile. Apple had to protect its patterns and IP and they were dammed if they did and dammed if they did not challenged Samsung. But what has been the fall out. There has been so many Android Tablets released and now Windows 8 Tablets they are all similar and some different but none stuck out like the iPad. That was until Apple made us aware of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 until then it was one of many. Now as the court case was in every days news reports. That is from a tech perspective we all started to look deeper at the other offering. Why, well if Apple was worried and spending so much to stop these companies then maybe there is something that might be different or better. Better you say, but who knows let just check them out. In doing so we started to see there was alternative to the totally controlled ecosystem that Apple offered. It wasn't as good initially but we were able to customise and design to our tastes, this became infectious and others started to look the rest is history. We now have considerably more offering in the tablet space. Each offering its own type of experience and not just one view.I hear many people now saying but that's ok Apple could never fail they are just to big and they are the best. This won't stop Apple they will keep going. I would suggest that if Apple does not take heed to "Disruptive Innovation" this may not be the case. Many industries have been in the exactly same position as Apple and very sure they would continue forever, but time has proven otherwise. They did not just become dumb or the people working in them did not sabotage their futures, they were displaced by disruptive innovation. ie

• Main Frame Computer > Personal Computers
• General Motors > Toyota > Hyundai > (China and India Car Companies)
• Super Steel Mills > Mini Mills

These are just three industries but there are many more. To get a better appreciation of Disruptive Innovation check out Clayton Christensen's book the The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business

Update: I have recently come across an interview with Clayton Christensen and here is what he had to say about Apple and their future prospects.

What We Do and the Passion We Put In

When someone asks me what I do for work, I happily tell them that I don't work. Close to 32 years ago I got involved with technology. This just happen to be one of many of my areas of interest and passion. At the time I was in the Army as a cook at Puckapunyal Army Base. Then I worked cooking for a living as a soldier in the army. Over time I progressed my interest into running a business "Pucka Computers" which at the time didn't go to far. I started with the Sinclair ZX80 and progressed through a number of different computers. In 1984 I was offered a full time position in being involved with selling computers. I had helped out over a number of months in a computer store in Footscray, Victoria,  Australia. to the point I was invited to work for the company as a store manager. At that point in time I was being offered three time what I was earning in the Army to go do what I was passionate about. From that day on I have basically done just that, been paid to enjoy my hobby. My hobby has taken me through a variety of different role and positions in and around technology. 

I am now more involved in the delivery of technology solutions and the supporting methodologies and strategies. Moving more to align myself as a management and technology strategist. Much of what I have done over the years has been from the abstract, creative, physical understanding and interpretation. Finding the simplicity within a complex environment. I never really put a label to it as I thought that it was my own interpretation and method. 

Since I completed my master of management which was a major highlight in my life and career, I have continued to read and learn. Recently I spend close to ten weeks overseas researching mobile technology and trying to understand how we got to where we are. I mean that technology was suppose to make our lives easier but it had made it more complex. The more that technology improved and increased in capability and capacity the more the environment became complex. That was until Steve Jobs. It was not that Steve Jobs was the perfect shining model of management, you only have to read both his biography and other book and stories about him to see that. But it was the insights and inspiration that he created. He showed that technology no matter how complex and sophisticated could deliver the experience that empowered people. That has been so successful that people will refer to design of other products as why not make it like the iPad or Mac. And it was that I was interested in finding out how we could achieve the same results with other technology and systems. 

It couldn't be just something that only Steve Jobs and Apple did, there must be something to be distilled to show light on what and how. With that in mind I applied and received a Churchill Fellowship in 2011 and then took my research trip in 2012. What I distilled from my experience is that there was no great secret, that the answer has always been there, in the room but we were not focused on the right question. 

That then raised another point being the question, what was the question and how do you find the question? So again I went looking and reading and listening. What I found was an idea which was generated from a design company in Palo Alto, IDEO called design thinking. I did not realise the value and extent that this way of approaching things from a human-centric perspective. Nor did I really appreciate being in Stanford where I could have visited that school, but that will happen in time. 

I now been going through the work of Tim Brown the CEO and president of IDEO on Design Thinking and how to go through the stages of inspriation, ideation and implementation. Initially I have been reading his HBR article of June 2008 and lately his book Change by Design. The whole process is around five key points. 

1. Empathise
2. Define
3. Ideate
4. Prototype
5. Test

These are repeated multiple time the goal being to take divergence ideas through synthesis to convergence and analysis to implementation. Tim Brown had a great quote to explain design thinking which is:

"What we need are new choices - New products that balance the needs of individuals and of society as a whole; new ideas that tackle the global challenges of health, poverty and education; new strategies that result in differences that matter and a sense of purpose that engages everyone affected by them." - Tim Brown - CEO and President, IDEO

Conventional problem solving practices over look the capacities we all have which design thinking awakens. This tool looks to be very powerful and is something I have gainfully engaged with and awakening other to. But in context to what I am doing I find that many of the theories I have been working through and learning are now coming together and forming what I hope to be a new beginning. The other thoughts and ideas are in the areas of Clayton Christensen's disruptive innovation. The work of W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne of INSEAD in the area of Blue Ocean Strategy the overall area of strategy and how we apply it to business, shifting the boundary. All of these strategies have started to focus more and more in what I do and what I how to do in the future. What seem to be complex has started to become simpler and I am coming across like minded people who I believe could be the opportunity I have been looking to find. 

On my wall I have a great quote of Steve Jobs who is someone I may not really have like to work for but have found inspiration in his words and ideals.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice.

You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me. - Steve Jobs"

 As many people will know I don't go the the drumbeat of others and my inner voice has always been quite loud. I see the dots starting to come together and in my gut the time is coming. I want to make a difference. I do what I love and that is being the glue that binds and idea. The trick about wealth came from a lecturer I had a number of years ago. Do what you are passionate about and help other people. The rest will come. I know this is so because it is always getting better. So if you are not happy where you are there is only one person that controls that. Stand up and go look in the mirror. You might not recognise the person, maybe you have been look at someone else. I am sorry to say but there is only one person that controls your future. As Dr Peter Drucker says in on of his sayings.

If you want to predict the future, Create It!

That means you and no one else but YOU!