The Reading Room – What’s the SCOOP?

After hijacking a space on EMSNOW’s homepage while I guest edited the publication, their esteemed editor, Jennifer Read, has kindly allowed me back on a weekly basis to share some of what I am watching, reading and even listening to. So, here’s a few things I’ve enjoyed this week, some of which you will see among my regular posts on LinkedIn or Twitter.

• As the deployment of Industry 4.0 heats up, so does the potential for software revenue. According to ABI Research, ‘Industry 4.0 Teams Stimulate Plant Simulation Software Revenues to US$4.1 Billion by 2030’. “Most industrial companies and industrial engineers still try to solve problems one-by-one,” explained Ryan Martin, Principal Analyst at ABI Research. “For instance, they try to figure out how many Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) they need, then they try to figure out what type of robot to purchase, then they try to figure out where to place the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, and so forth. Plant simulation software requires a more holistic and more collaborative approach.”
• In this Bloomberg OpEd, Tyler Cowen suggests we should ‘Forget Robots. The Breakthrough Technology Will Be in Your Car’. Because innovation tends to come in products and services that are already in wide use.
• Barry Matties is a friend and respected colleague. His interview with IPC Asia President Phil Carmichael on China Trends is well worth a read. Phil talks about trends in China and IPC’s activity there.
• 50% of all manufacturing companies will be using AI in some form by the end of 2021. That’s a pretty bold prediction, but completely feasible. I have spoken to many vendors using AI in their products already and a few contract manufacturers taking the idea seriously. Check out more predictions including the widespread use of voice control on the factory floor in this article in Industry Week, exploring, What’s Ahead for Manufacturing AI.
• VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Take a look at The Anything Factory from GE Additive. Is this the essence of additive manufacturing’s real potential?
• PODCAST OF THE WEEK:Check out ‘How to move fast: Innovation at speed and scale’, In this episode of McKinsey’sInside the Strategy Room podcast, with McKinsey partners Stacey Haas and Brian Quinn, and senior external adviser Julie Baskin.

That’s it until next week! For more regular musing connect or follow me on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Read more, watch more, hear more, know more – that’s the SCOOP!