Frankenstein Wasn’t an Engineer
It seems engineers are being issued a new set of challenges
every day. Pick up today’s newspaper and you’ll read about the
latest looming disaster that will end civilization unless we act quickly. Take
this little case of rabble rousing, for example:
”We must develop quickly technologies that make
possible a direct connection between brain and computer, so that artificial
brains contribute to human intelligence rather than oppose it.”
I didn’t get that out of the National Enquirer. It’s a quote from British physicist Stephen
Hawking. He says artificial intelligence is poised to outthink its human
creators and eventually take over the world unless we increase the complexity
of our DNA and improve the mental capacity of human beings.
That’s a pretty tall order considering logistics
engineers are still having trouble trying to improve supply chain capacities.
That’s a challenge Material Handling Management poses to you every time you pick it up. But at least
we help you develop strategies to meet those challenges. That’s the
purpose of this supplement.
Let’s forget about re-engineering DNA for the moment.
• How about engineering a stronger connection with
customers so we can learn how to better meet their needs?
• How about analyzing the most appropriate
technologies for storing and retrieving products in response to customer
demand?
• How about re-engineering the workplace so we can
make human beings work smarter — without hurting themselves?
• How about identifying and strengthening the
engineering skills that will be needed to shore up and build onto the
world’s economies?
Those are the strategies you’ll need to develop if
we’re going to engineer a more livable world. You’ll make your
company a stronger competitor and a stronger partner as it establishes links
with companies around the world. Then, maybe you’ll collaborate with
other engineers across extranets to create new products and systems to move
inventory at speeds to meet current consumer demand.
That should be enough to keep you busy for the rest of your
career. Even with advances in technology, scholars say supply chains are
destined to get more complex instead of simpler. The Council of Logistics
Management just published a new book: E-Business: The Strategic Impact on
Supply Chain and Logistics. The authors argue that this complexity comes from
new intermediaries introduced into markets, exchanges and marketplaces
proliferating, and new and existing players assuming traditional roles.
“All inventories, from beginning material and supplies
to finished products and any returned deliveries, will be fully visible through
an online inventory tracking and tracing system,” CLM promises.
“Diversion of product flow due to unforeseen conditions will be a click
away as partners in a full supply chain will be coordinating activities in
real-time, using the power of the global Internet for communication.
Once that vision becomes reality, then maybe you can start
engineering a way to connect to
the consumer’s brain to anticipate demand.
If Dr. Frankenstein had taken a more strategic approach to
engineering, Boris Karloff would never have found work in Hollywood. Now, if we
can just keep from creating the Hawking monster.
Tom Andel, chief editor
tandel@penton.com
