Technology Management

Unit 6

Unit 6

Selection and Implementation of New Technologies Automation Decisions

Structure: 6.1 Introduction Objectives 6.2 New Technologies 6.3 Selection of a New Technology 6.4 Implementation of New Technology 6.5 Automation Automation and automation technology Automation decisions 6.6 Summary 6.7 Glossary 6.8 Terminal Questions 6.9 Answers 6.10 Case Study

6.1 Introduction
By now you must be familiar with technology adaptation, technology diffusion and absorption. You must also be familiar with the various issues involved in the management of technology absorption and government initiatives. We know that today advancement is taking place in the field of technology, and development of new technologies is taking place. So, in this unit, we will study about the emerging new technologies, and their selection and implementation. We will also analyse the considerations for technology implementation. We will discuss about automation and automation decisions. This unit will enable us to select an appropriate new technology suiting our requirements, and also to implement the selected technology. Objectives: After studying this unit, you should be able to: Explain new technologies. Select new technology.
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Implement new technology. Describe automation and automation decisions.

6.2 New Technologies

We all are familiar with the term technology, so we will now discuss about the new technologies that has brought innovation in various fields. A variety of technologies has come into view in the technological convergence of diverse systems evolving similar objectives. So, we will learn some of the new technologies that are likely to replace the existing technologies. Memristor: A Groundbreaking New Circuit: This technology has a unique feature, that is, it can retain information for the amount of current that has passed through it. By varying the amount of current, it has the tendency to become a one-element circuit component with unique features. It has the tendency to replace the flash drives that are being used today, because it can retain its electronic state even though the current is turned off. If we compare the cost constraint with the flash memories, Memristor is relatively cheaper and offers greater memory densities. Also, it can restore the RAM chips, so that, after turning off your computer, again when you will turn it on it will provide details concerning what it was doing previously. USB (Universal Serial Bus) 3.0: We know that the utmost achievement in the computing area is provided by the USB connector. However, the throughput of 480 megabits provided by USB 2.0 is not adequate in the age of terabyte hard drives. So, a new technology is emerging, that is, USB 3.0. Let us have a look at some of the unique features of USB 3.0. The performance throughput of the connector is in terms of 4.8 gigabits per second. The devices of USB 3.0 use a slightly different connector, but USB 3.0 ports are expected to be backward-compatible with the existing USB plugs and vice versa. The connector is likely to arrive into the market by the end of 2010. It enhances the power efficiency of USB devices. Windows 7: We are already familiar with Windows 7 operating system, which was supposed to be released as vista by Microsoft. The shortage
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of time and resources has delayed the Microsoft from releasing it. The windows 7 would use the database like WinFS file system along with performance and compatibility enhancements more than vista. The target date of release as decided by Microsoft is January 2010. Streaming games: Even though we have seen advancements in broadband to a very great extent, it has not facilitated the basis of downloadable games. To overcome this factor, an idea is used, that is, you have to obtain the display and post back input instructions since the gaming data is located on the central server. As no content is accumulated on your machine, it is impractical to copy illegally a streamed game, which is apparently an attractive proposal for them. OLED displays: The OLED screen is launched by Google's Nexus phone which will tend to make the handsets with almost soft tones so as to be more desirable than the iPhone. The reason behind its superiority is, as an alternative of filtering the light from a white or blue lamp at the back the screen where every pixel in an OLED panel generates its own beam. Also, the screens of OLED are much thinner than backlit ones. There are many more laptops arriving with this technology. 4G Technology: The acronym for 4G is Fourth Generation Communication System. It is new emerging technology in wireless communications. The users will be provided with a comprehensive IP solution like data, voice and streamlined multidata. Also, if we measure up to the data rates, it is superior to previous generations. The goals of 4G are: To provide an IP-based integrated system and provide premium quality and high security. To provide all kings of services at a reasonable cost. To provide a high quality smooth video transmission.

Self Assessment Questions 1. By varying the amount of current ______ has the tendency to become a one-element circuit component with unique features. 2. The performance throughput of the connector is terms of 4.8 gigabits per second or processing approximately corresponding of an entire CD-R disc each second. (True/False)?

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3. The windows 7 would use the database like ____ file system along with performance and compatibility enhancements more than vista are expected. 4. The innovation of _____ which acquires the unprocessed GPS data and indicates your location thereby enhancing this information with added services.

6.3 Selection of a New Technology

In the previous section, we learnt about some new technologies. In this section will discuss about a set of guidelines to be followed during the selection of a new technology. In a very short span, exercise of latest technologies such as instant messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service, WiFi Internet access, video conferencing and smart cell phones, have come up. As a result of these new technologies, small businesses are getting a lot of opportunities to advance their processes and connect with customers. But, if youre likely to adopt too many technologies, then you will be spending most the time in integrating new technology without having enough hours for getting the real work done. Let us have a look at some questions that are likely to arise, when you choose a new technology. Will the chosen technology enhance the efficiency and productivity of small business? What are its functional requirements? What are its non-functional requirements? What are the selection criteria? Does the technology fit the organisation culture? We can get the answers to these questions by following some tips related to the selection of a new technology. These tips are: Before choosing a new technology, the operational efficiency, control costs and productivity of the technology should be determined. It is not reliable to adopt a new technology, if your competitor owns it. The choice of your latest technology must incorporate flawlessly into production and hold up your existing purposes. An important
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consideration is that it should assure your potential needs with minimum upgrades. The availability of your service and support should be determined beforehand. The services like the major and minor upgrades must be provided by the vendor. The use of solution packages or customer proprietary packages that no longer support you should be avoided. The selection of new technology based on the lowest price should be avoided which would otherwise result in less capability, thereby costing your time and money. For instance, buying a costly computer for every three to five years instead of a low price one for every year would save your time and problems. It doesnt necessarily mean that that you have to purchase the top products. Do not always go for buying a name brand product. For example, the computers have turn out to be a commodity, which means reaching a known brand do not automatically indicate you are accomplishing an enhanced quality. It implies, you are getting enhanced technological support. An important point to be kept in mind is that although computers are easy to repair and maintain, you can engage somebody locally to repair at a reasonable price. A good selection of the retailer is important than going for a brand in order to provide you with technical support in case of problems. The retailer is the one who would be keeping you happy by satisfying your needs. Therefore, make sure the return policy provided by the retailer is good and replenish fees are not charged. The services that provide you with long distance charges should be avoided. The services like VOIIP should be used, since it is less expensive. Also, it provides many facilities that are not currently available in standard land lines. It has the provision to forward the office calls to your home or cell, or have mail delivered to your email. The web provides a lot of applications, services, and tools which have become the valuable things in life, available free of cost. It doesnt mean only email or instant messaging accounts are provided free of charge. There are some application alternatives providing better results than small businesses be able to do with conventional applications.

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Self Assessment Questions 5. The selection of the new technology based on ____ should be avoided 6. The priority to the retailer should be foremost than the brand, which is normally the initial line of ____ hold up should you to have problems. 7. Before choosing a new technology, the operational efficiency, control costs and productivity should be determined. (True/False)? 8. A ____ allows sharing your documents online with friends, individual basis or in group and working together on them in a real point of time. Activity 1: Imagine you are selecting a new technology for your business. On what basis are you going to select? Hint: Selecting a new technology.

6.4 Implementation of New Technology

The previous section gave you a clear idea on the necessary points, which you must keep in mind while choosing a new technology. In this section, we will understand its implementation. We know that planning is the key to success of a project. In the same manner, a sound planning is essential for the success of any technologys implementation. The failures that are likely to arise during the implementation process may be due to the poor planning or inadequate resources. Valuing the conflicts will facilitate the organisation to keep away from these problems, and for the management, to anticipate the likely trouble spots and ease it accordingly. You must keep in mind some vital preliminary considerations. These considerations are: Initial considerations: The management of the business needs to understand that the new system alone cannot find solutions to all the problems experience by the organisation. The whole implementation process involves the complete business process and/or academic practice, consumer services, communication with suppliers and a relationship among all other engrossed stakeholders. There are a number of less-substantial activities, which are critical and people those are involved must :

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Have an understanding of the organisation predominantly, in terms of its traditions and principles are essential. The underlying principle of any new system implementation should be able to provide all the better services to all concerned through it. This information has to be conversed to all concerned parties. A complete review of every business processes and, where required, academic practice, and developing and introducing new policies before tuning the system to meet the decided requirements should be undertaken. The complete approval of the difficulty and flexibility of the system should be determined. The inbuilt dangers of customisation of any software should be understood. A thorough system test procedures should be conducted, while accepting the likely need for software malfunction and improvements. The training and development to be conducted for the internal staff should be planned in advance. The users must be trained, to use the system. The users must be trained, to identify faults and correct freely. The essential nature of system documents has to be accepted and retain accordingly. Planning and implementation: A thorough plan with efficient management is necessary for success, and to work against the fear of high costs, extended time, losing key persons and common disappointment with the result Go-Live Considerations: Finally, it is essential that the go live day causes as tiny disturbance to the daily business, since it is practically possible. The various issues arising at this point of time will negatively affect the organisations status, sometimes irreversibly, with all stakeholders.

Considerations for implementation As we are discussing about the implementation of technology, we will now briefly discuss about some considerations for implementation of technology.
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Be aggressive: An important consideration when implementing a new technology is to be aggressive to set up a strong competitive edge. The competitive edge enhances production that may be related to the total system performance and authorising employees. A competitive edge will make the clients and customers more independent. For example, we can think of an ATM machine that will make the customers convenient by establishing it outside the bank. The competitive benefit may possibly combine several functions, partners, or flow of data that will lead to a effective business. Be cautious: If the new chosen technology provides revenue to your business, then it is necessary to be careful while making any major modifications in the new technology. Being cautious does not merely mean that you should avoid the advancing technology. It conveys to be more careful in understanding the consequences and secondary applications which may perhaps be impacted as a result of a very small change. If we consider examples, of some companies that had apparently made changes to billing, failed to produce invoices or statements to the clients. The consequence formed economic poverty for the billing company, and for the displeased customers, who abruptly received several months worth of amass billing once the accounting system problem was resolved. In addition to the impact on cash flow, the relationships with the customers become weak. Henceforth, you should be aggressive to increase the competitive chances to grow the profit and performance of your business. At the same time, you must be careful even while implementing changes that may affect your core business contributions, customers, or billing. Be quick: It is important for you to be quick enough to implement the small changes to your chosen technology and to supervise their impact. There should not be any delay, when it comes to performance improvement, internal proposal for simplifying routines or improving customer performance. We must follow a set of routines, to design small changes, test changes and schedule to bring consistent enhancements. It is pretty often, the minor improvements encompass the major impact to business performance. Be slow: If major changes affect your business, it is vital to make the implementation changes slowly. Normally, the centre design and
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functions of the business are well-organised and updated. The processes that are more frequently in use are likely to get the majority attention and seem to be highly evolved. Basically, these processes are given the first priority, when it comes to implementing a transfer in technology. On the other side, you must avoid focusing on common ground, also conserve the primary processes until the changes have been tested on some of the more difficult and less used utilities. There will be remarkable information to be achieved with the experience and less effect on business by concentrating on most composite and least used functions. Be safe: During the implementation of a new technology, the better time to address the potential security needs is at the time of design and development. It is better to employ a security expert who will take care of the privacy of the organisation. If you have customers, credit cards, customer accounts, customer information, intellectual belongings, monetary information, health information, or employee information stored automatically, available on a network, or printed in files, then it is vital to consider safety. Also, if you are planning to undergo a technology change, it is the right time to reassess the associated documents by means of a security or privacy specialist.

From this discussion, we can say the technology plays a significant role in organisations worldwide accomplishment. A well-organised management of people is crucial to the successful implementation and use of new technical systems. The management should take the responsibility to support the commitment to the new system. If the management supports a new technology, the employees will be liable to assist with the functioning. This proves to be right, while they understand that the success and sometimes survival of the organisation along with their potential security depends on the adapted new procedure.1

Taken from implementing new technology

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Self Assessment Questions 9. For the success of any implementation, a _____ is very essential. 10. A complete review of every business processes and, where required, academic practice, and developing and introducing new policies before tuning the system to meet the decided requirements should be undertaken. (True/False)? 11. If the management supports a new technology, the employees will be ____________ to assist with the functioning. Activity 2: Prepare a list of some organisations, which have implemented a new technology, and also describe the impact of that technology on them.

6.5 Automation
After studying about selection of, and implementation of a new technology, we will now study about automation and automation decisions. 6.5.1 Automation and automation technology Let us first understand, What is automation? We can define automation as the exercise of control system and information technologies to decrease the need for human work in the manufacture of goods and services. Automation is a stage outside the limits of mechanisation in the scope of industrialisation. While mechanisation provided the human operators by means of equipment to support them with muscular requirements, automation greatly decreases the need for human sensory and mental requirements as well The role played by automation is progressively becoming more vital in the world economy and in day to day experience. The automation has a tremendous impact on the highly visible industries ahead of manufacturing. For example, the telephone operators have been replaced mainly by automated telephone switchboards and answering machines. The various health processes such as primary screening in electrocardiography are being approved at a high speed and precision by automated systems. The visit to banks to withdraw the cash is reduced by the way of automated teller machines (ATMs). In general, automation is accountable for the move in the world market from the built-up jobs to service jobs.
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Let us consider some advantages provided by the automation. It is successful in replacing the human operators everyday jobs that engages hard physical or important work. It has replaced the tasks carried out by the humans in dangerous environments like the fire, volcanoes and so on. The tasks performed are beyond the scope of human capabilities of size, speed and weight. It has helped in the development of economy of enterprise, public or humankind. Apart from advantages, automation does have some disadvantages. Let us have a look at these disadvantages. The technology limit has become a major factor. The desired tasks cannot be automated by the current technology. The development costs are very high. The expenditure incurred for Research and Development (R&D) for automating a process may possibly go beyond the price saved by the automation itself. The initial cost is very high. The automation of a new product or plant involves an enormous early investment, in contrast with the unit price of the product; even though the price of automation is extended in many product batches. We are familiar with the term technology and automation. You must note that both of them are related to each other in one way or the other. Similarly, are related to management of an organisation too. We can define automation technologies as a software development and manufacturing firm which offers maximum level of experience in engineering automation and control of processes Whenever you select any automation technology, benefits are obtained from the technical experience of senior engineers and specialists who have gained experience in the fields of automation and field control. By means of broad connections of business partners, automation technologies can meet virtually any needs of automation and control. The automation technologies can get together with almost any automation and controls need providing the customers with exceptional service and support.
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6.5.2 Automation decisions Now we are familiar with automation, so let us now familiarise ourselves with automation decisions. In general, we can say that automation decisions are the decisions that are related to automation. The automation decision is considered most suitable for coherent, evidently defined decision situations. The automation decisions act like legal support systems that instantaneously solve and offer solutions to the recurring organisation problems. They are directly related to business informatics and business analytics. The automated decisions are basically dependent on business rules. These rules can be shaped or activated by business analytics. One of the components of automation decision support is rules-engine. For the purpose of operational decision making, a rules-engine is used. The engine employs actionable analytics and business rules to make and deliver adapted alert. In addition, it relates the business intelligence to business users or to create and deliver action messages for processing by operational applications. To handle a particular business situation, it produces alerts and messages which might contain the announcement, warnings and suggested solution to solve a problem. A rule engine can also be invoked by a user in real time to assist in business decisions, whether to fund a loan to the client or in providing credit cards, or to calculate the risk occurred in a particular business transaction. The current automation design decision systems are well suited for the decisions that have to be made often and rapidly, by the use of information that is available electronically. The chief consideration is that the knowledge and decision criteria used in these systems have to be highly structured. If specialists are capable of readily codifying the decision rules, and if premium data are accessible, the conditions are favourable for automating the decision. The rule engines are implanted in a number of software products, including web application servers, and business intelligence tools, where they are sometimes called intelligent agents. The sophisticated stand alone rule engines are building up and advertised by the vendors.

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To fully exploit the advantage of the influence of a decision-making system, the analytics, suggestions and actions has to be linked and integrated with the overall business process. It can be achieved by means of business process automation (BPA). Let us understand the use of BPA in a Business Intelligence (BI) environment with the help of an example given in figure 6.1.

Figure 6.1: An example for Automated Decision Making

The upper portion of the figure illustrates an easy functioning workflow for dealing out a customer order. This workflow is used so as to establish the indications in the operational process, where business action desires to be supervised by a BI system. Application and data events can then be confined at these points and used to populate an Object Distribution Server (ODS) or a data warehouse. The ODS acts like an objectified information used by the clients to obtain and contribute knowledge. Event capture can
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be accomplished directly in the application itself, in an integration broker or at application and data interfaces like database API, application API, EJB interface and user interface2. If an analytics workflow in a rules engine in the BI system discovers a business condition that needs action, the business user possibly will be on the alert and pass an action workflow to assist identification of the problem and decide what action to take. If automation is necessary, the action workflow possibly will be implanted in the rules engine, which would produce the suitable action messages to be sent to the functioning environment.

6.6 Summary
We started this unit by giving a brief introduction about some new technologies, such as Memristor, USB 3.0, and so on. We know that the selection of a technology is more important than implementing a technology. The first question that comes into your mind is, while selecting a new technology is that whether the chosen technology enhances the efficiency and productivity of our business or not. So, we discussed about some essentials tips that are to be followed when selecting a new technology. We analysed that the operational efficiency of the new technology has to be determined and also the chosen technology should help to evolve the business and provide support. We also learnt that, during the implementation of a new technology, careful planning is essential for the success. We came to know that the initial consideration for the management is to understand that the adopted technology will not solve all the current problems. In this unit, we also analysed that being aggressive while implementing a new technology will help us in establishing a competitive edge and making cautious significant changes. Also, we must be quick to implement minor changes and slow down to make the major changes. We also studied about automation and automation decisions, wherein we analysed that they play a significant role in the world economy.

Taken from near real time and automation decisions making

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6.7 Glossary
Term Visualisation Bugs Analytics Informatics Terabyte Description The process of representing abstract business or scientific data as images that can aid in understanding the meaning of the data. A defect in the code or routine of a program The application of computer technology and statistics to solve problems in business and industry. It is a wide educational field including information science, information technology and algorithms. It is the multiple of unit byte for digital information.

6.8 Terminal Questions

1. 2. 3. 4. List some of the new technologies. Write a brief note on the selection of new technology. Explain the implementation of new technology. Briefly describe the automation decisions.

6.9 Answers
Self Assessment Questions 1. Memristor 2. True 3. WinFS 4. Location based service 5. Lowest price 6. Technological hold up 7. True 8. Zoho writer 9. Sound planning 10. True 11. Liable Terminal Questions 1. Refer section 6.2 New Technologies. 2. Refer section 6.3 Selection of a New Technology. 3. Refer section 6.4 Implementation of a New Technology. 4. Refer section 6.5.2 Automation decisions.
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6.10 Case Study

The ABC University has spent more than a year on developing an online contemporary tool. This tool facilitates the learners and the faculty get together in a virtual classroom atmosphere, thus making the participation possible despite of physical location. The competence provided by the virtual classroom are, audio in two-way, performing text chats, video in one or two way, presentation capabilities done through the web browser sharing, power-point, white board, document sharing that includes PDF, word, images, audio and archiving options. The contemporary tool mainly intends in providing online courses where the students have the facility to collaborate outside of class and also with the students of other institution. The guest speakers can remotely interact with the students. Likewise, the faculty can take classes from a remote location as a conference. The students have the facility to review the sessions, since it is recorded. Challenge: The tool requires participation at the same time. If there are conflicting schedules and different time zones, then it will create communication challenges. Many distant learners require the support as well as guidance to gain a good learning experience. The maintenance of face to face communication is still a major problem. Challenges: The tool requires participation at the same time. If there are conflicting schedules and different time zones, then it will create communication challenges. Many distant learners require the support as well as guidance to gain a good learning experience. The maintenance of face to face communication is still a major problem. Solutions: The tool presents a two-way communication among all the participants in the class, by means of a toggle switch for present speaker. The options that can be used are full or half duplex which is typically conducted using voice over internet (VOIP). The use of video has solved the two-way communication but then it has the bandwidth limitations. The students are guided by means of student instructor and interaction among them. The learners were usually benefited because of their involvement in small learning groups. It also provided course materials which ensured students satisfaction. The tool motivates the distant learners to continue with their studies.
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Questions: 1. Discuss about the contemporary tool. Hint: The ABC University. 2. Explain the challenges faced by the university and the solutions to overcome it. References Taylor and Francis, Technology Management. Robert C Magantz, Technology Management: Developing and Implementing Effective Licensing Programs. George Kuttickal Chacko, Technological Management Applications to Corporate Markets and Military Missions. www.mbaprograms.org/technology www.stemglobal.org

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