As the saying goes “If you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you have always got”.
The global pandemic has forced many organisations into using digital technologies that they may not have previously considered, to ensure that they can do their day-to-day work. Through utilising different ways of working, these organisations have started to recognise the value of technology as an enabler.
In the world of engineering data management, technology has always been high on the agenda for companies wanting to improve their global businesses. And although the COVID 19 crisis is highlighting and reinforcing this agenda, organisations need to understand that technology alone is not the answer.
Cut to the mould breaking super major which is leading the way in its innovative use of engineering technology and the realisation that their data is an essential element of a global rollout programme.
Its strategy is to hold the data in a standardised and neutral data model. The data can be genuinely shared with any technology via a range of live interfaces. As technology improves over time it can be adopted with minimal of fuss. Conversely if the technology does not do ‘what is says on the tin’ there is no data lock-in to worry about.
In the three decades I have been working in this domain there have been many presentations about the single source of truth, common data environment and the digital twin. In my humble opinion there are two simple tests to establish if your technology genuinely operates independently from your master data.
1. You can make a controlled change to your data from any device and it is instantly viewed from any other device, including mobile ones. If you have to arrange a download to update systems this is not the same.
2. You can turn off your different technologies and your master data remains intact and accessible.
To finish on another relevant saying: “There is never enough time or money to do it right, but there is always enough time or money to do it again!”
If you are wanting to break the mould and invest in your content to yield long-term business benefits, feel free to get in touch.
I have also done a video blog on the use of engineering technology in a changing world, which can be seen here.
Written by: Steve Pearson, Executive Chairman