What is meant by technological ecosystem? What components and features should it have? James Dempsey addressed this topic for mhlnews.com

Now more than ever, companies are under pressure to provide as much information as possible with minimal delay, lower costs and maximum accuracy. A network of interconnected smart devices allows you to constantly generate data about all your supply chain activities. Smart companies are aware that by investing in data-based decision-making systems, competitiveness levels will raise above the standard.

For companies intending to invest in a competitive infrastructure that will stand up to future standards, it is crucial to understand where the supply chain technology is heading. And to admit it is heading far beyond the edge of the present.

What Is Meant by “the Edge of the Present”?

Over the last decade, and perhaps a little longer, the Internet of Things (IoT) has played a huge role in many fields. This term was typically explained as a centralized system where the sensor network collected data and sent it to the server for further processing, allowing a better understanding of the processes, as well as their optimized management. The next step in this evolution is decentralization and movement of individual computing processes and analyses from one central point to a series of individual data acquisition devices (sensors on production facilities, vehicles in carrier fleets or employee scanners in warehouses). This trend is related to the massive expansion of capabilities and utilization of mobile devices.

By heading beyond the edge, we understand the fact that the features of IoT devices bring significant process capabilities together, such as the these devices’ ability to directly communicate with each other, make real-time process modifications, provide analysis capabilities on employees’ mobile devices, and then identify hidden reserves or issues and respond to them before they become more expensive.

What Are the Characteristics of the Right Technology?

Every technological ecosystem is just as valuable as its performance on the worst day of its operation. We need to be sure that we possess the right equipment, facilities and applications that are adaptable, safe and well-managed to do their job. All these devices, software and services must be completely reliable, stable and designed to handle large volumes of data from different sources.

Key Features of These Ecosystems Include:

  1. A network of interconnected smart devices that constantly generate real-time data
  2. Reliable connectivity allowing supply chain growth without geographical constraints
  3. Smart software which collects data from different devices, transforms them into intelligent outputs and therefore, provides the basis for further decision making

In addition, maximum safety is essential for each of these components. With an increasing amount of capital invested in interconnected systems, maintaining their integrity becomes a key issue. We must be absolutely sure that we are protected at three levels:

  • hardware (individual devices and machines)
  • network
  • software

For companies that intend to implement these smart solutions, it is therefore essential to find a quality partner. One that can provide solutions to a full range of issues regarding this problematics, not only a vendor of equipment or software.