by [TC]²
A monthly column of technology rambling, rumination and reality
By: Jud Early, Corporate Vice President, Research, [TC]²
To all of our faithful readers, Happy New Year!
It's about this point in time that resolutions made seven days ago begin to fade from memory, and the best of intentions gradually slide from focus as the immediacy of the day, and the reality that most people don't really want to change take over. Fortunately, I didn't make any new year's resolutions, so I will be guiltless in not breaking any.
However, I did set the stage in the December Technology Corner that we would discuss printer resolution this month. I've tried to find an angle or some word play that will let me off the hook by linking new years resolutions with printer resolution. So, it's time to just ‘fess up. December was not a good month for printer research, so the resolution piece will have to wait for a future column. What I can tell you, though, is that printer resolution, along with software and allied equipment for digital printing will be reviewed here at [TC]², and we will keep you informed as we progress through comparison to what we now have and what is available to improve efficiency, color management and product quality.
This Column, The Technology Corner , is for the dissemination of information about technology of all types. Today, I'd like to tell you about some changes that are taking place at [TC]², and the technology demonstration center.
For more than fifteen years, [TC]² has operated a demonstration center for technology that largely focused on manufacturing and operations improvement. With the first demonstration of modular manufacturing, and the first demonstration of Internet based mass customization, leading edge technologies have been one of the special things that visitors to the center have enjoyed. We who spend our work lives here are still thrilled when a visitor sees something that is so impressive that the only words appropriate are “wow!” That “Wow! Factor” has driven the entire team to stay on the leading edge of current and emerging technology, and we have visited many companies around the world in search of the latest technology, and have shared those findings in demonstrations, seminars and trade shows.
Approximately four years ago, Mike Fralix, who is the president of [TC]² was granted a doctorate for research on the topic, The Digital Supply Chain . This concept has been shared at various trade shows and in speaking engagements around the world, but to a more limited extent in the [TC]² technology demonstration center. With a strong focus on the “digital” aspects of every touch-point in the process of new product conception, design, development production and retail, visitors will be treated to an experience that includes the short-cycle manufacturing for which [TC]² has been known.
Bob Fulenwider, a long time veteran of industry trade shows and technology demonstration, has accepted the challenge of bringing a newness to the center, along with content specialists who will be presenting tour visitors with high level overview as well as detailed information on each subject that is covered by the tour.
The demonstration of digital printing has for several years been a source of “Wow!” for visitors, stemming from early research and development in this area. As one of the renewal tasks, over the next few months, the team at Inkdropboutique.com will be evaluating new printers, color management applications, color measurement and calibration tools and applications, as well as continuing research into important elements such as engineered design for digitally produced products. Future articles will contain short stories on the identification, comparison, and selection of the best technologies. Stay tuned for more.
Other aspects of the digital supply chain will be shown, including tools for evaluation of sourcing scenarios, information on applications for managing offshore sourcing and production, with presentation tailored to the needs of the visitor. Also planned is a new web-based form that will allow prospective guests to the center to better describe what they do, and list any specific need that is known before actually coming to the center. Through the use of technology, the time spent can be planned for greater effect, and the visitor will be provided with the most relevant information.
We look forward to the changes that are under way, and will keep everyone informed as to our progress. The team at [TC]² is always happy to host a visit, so please make plans to spend a few hours with us at the next opportunity.
Is e-mail spam affecting your productivity? Do you receive unwanted ads for products that you would not want in your home? Is a hostile environment being created by people outside of your control? In a future column, I'll discuss how spam, with it's bandwidth crippling effects can cause more than just inconvenience. I'll also let you know of our efforts to curb this unwanted guest, and the installation of what we hope will be the final remedy. Again, stay tuned, and be sure to e-mail if you have questions or comments.
Now, let's go take on the new year!
Jud