6 / 52
CONTROL SYSTEMS, AUTOMATION + SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
T
here is no conference, magazine or airport terminal where
people are not talking about Mobility, Big Data and
Cloud Computing. Those three terms, according
to who is talking, identify technological trends with
which all of us will deal, both at home and at work.
But are they equally important in all fields?
Specifically, in the industrial and manufacturing
fields, is it necessary to face them immediately, or
are they just something to keep an eye on because
they could be an opportunity for improvement in
the future? To get a better handle on these questions,
I discussed these trends with some Autoware clients
who typically seize opportunities offered by technology
and innovation. The results presented an uneven picture.
However, it was clear that Mobility, Big Data and Cloud Computing
cannot be considered in the same way. They have different
implications and repercussions that I will try to highlight
briefly. Mobility is almost difficult to call an innovative
trend because, in some ways, it can be considered
a commodity. Everyone is now in the habit of ac-
cessing information anywhere at anytime. It is
therefore natural for us to expect that same level
of connectivity when it comes to accessing the
information necessary for our work life.
Regarding the management and processing of
large amounts of data, the scenery is more diverse.
For some companies this is absolutely a present day
opportunity and need. For others Big Data is seen as an op-
Mobility, Big Data and The Cloud:
Opportunities or Commodities?
Luigi De Bernardini, Autoware (certified member of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA))
How do manufacturers view these three predominant technology trends … and how do you view them?
OPINION
Electricity+Control
September ‘16
4