Showing posts with label network centric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label network centric. Show all posts

Time, Speed and Space - Mobile vs. Static Apps

Most of today’s technology was designed and developed for static, stationary environments.  Even today, in a mobile world, mobile apps are most often developed based on assumed static endpoints.  Why is that a problem?  We are rarely static people.

Let’s consider two people in a vehicle.  The driver, assuming they use their smartphone only when safely parked, searches for places, locations and directions based on a static starting point.  However, if the person searching for places, locations and directions is a passenger in a moving car, a different set of information is appropriate.  One based on movement, speed, direction, intersections, changing distances, etc.  How should those variables change the way mobile apps are designed?

If you want to meet up with friends or family members who are travelling, in transit, or commuting, today’s mobile apps require you to select a stationary physical address in order to provide a map and direction.  Mobile apps designed with static assumptions are not going to help you coordinate an intersection point based on time, space and speed.  What if you want to meet as soon as possible to exchange children after a soccer game?  Today’s apps are not going to help.

What if you want to meet up with a mobile business?  Someone who sells handmade jewelry or crafts at different locations everyday?  Wouldn’t it be useful to search and find a real-time and accurate address, rather than a static, out of date, physical address?

If you are working outdoors, or in a hardhat industry, you will often need to coordinate with contractors and subcontractors bringing specialized equipment and materials to a jobsite.  Often these moving parts must all come together at once in order to complete a project.  Wouldn’t it be useful if your project management software were using real-time dynamic information (GPS, IoT sensors, mobile apps, etc.) that utilized real-world times, space and speeds to update schedules dynamically?

Calendars apps assume static locations and times, but is that how the real world works?  What if we assumed constant motion, changing variables, obstacles and dynamic schedules?  You know, like in the real world.  How would your mobile calendar apps behave differently?

A transformation in thinking and design needs to take place, one based on the real world, rather than on static models.
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Kevin Benedict
Writer, Speaker, Analyst and World Traveler
View my profile on LinkedIn
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***Full Disclosure: These are my personal opinions. No company is silly enough to claim them. I am a mobility and digital transformation analyst, consultant and writer. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.

IoT, Software Robots, Mobile Apps and Network Centric Operations

Articles about the IoT (Internet of Things) have moved from technical journals to our daily newspapers.  In this article we will go beyond the simplistic applications talked about in the local paper and discuss how IoT and complementary technologies, including software robots, can add real business value to the rugged outdoor work found in many industries.

In the rugged blue collar environment, vehicles, high valued equipment and other assets can be connected to the IoT to wirelessly report on their status, hours of operation, location, environment, maintenance and repair needs. This data can alert management when there is a problem, event or automatically create service tickets or send alerts when an action or decision is required. The IoT has the ability to provide "situational awareness" across large geographic areas and thousands of assets all at the same time.  This capability helps both decision-makers and automated systems (software robots) better understand how to optimize the use of experts, equipment and schedules across different geographic areas.

Today, sensors can be connected to many different pieces of equipment and are capable of bidirectional data exchanges.  That means they can both send data and receive data.  Data sent to them can include commands to perform a task.  These tasks may be to unlock a door, open a gate, increase or decrease the temperature, reposition a video camera, or to remotely operate equipment, think drones!  This capability is powerful and we are just scratching the surface of possibilities.

The IoT delivers on a vision of connecting physical and digital items to each other wirelessly through a network. These connections, and the data exchanged, can provide real-time access to information about the physical world in distant and remote locations.  This information can be analyzed by humans or software robots and turned into actionable intelligence that can be utilized by automated systems or human decision-makers. Connected IoT devices integrated into business systems can lead to many innovation and gains in efficiency and productivity that were never before possible.

A few of the key markets for IoT are:
  • Utilities/Smart grids
  • Defense
  • Fleet management/Automotive systems
  • Field services management
  • Rental equipment
  • Heavy equipment monitoring (think tractors, bulldozers, cranes, etc.)
  • Plant maintenance
  • Facility management
  • Connected homes/Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS)
  • Healthcare - fitness, remote patient and health monitoring
  • Medical equipment monitoring
  • Vending machines
  • ATMs
  • POS systems
  • Remote asset management monitoring
  • Security systems
  • Consumer electronics (eReaders, Wireless Printers, Appliances, etc.) 
  • etc.
In a world filled with data from mobile users, databases, websites and the IoT, the big question is what can be done with all of this data? This is where real-time analytics are required - analytic solutions that have the capacity and capability to analyze large amounts of incoming data in real-time.  The results of their analysis can be utilized by humans and/or software robots to optimize productivity and efficiencies.  Many of today's most advanced workforce optimization and scheduling solutions use software robots that can instantly react to the real-time data and optimize thousands of schedules and assignments in seconds (see ClickSoftware).

What are software robots?  According to a new study by my colleague, Rob Brown, at the Center for the Future of Work, titled The Robot and I, humans are working smarter with sophisticated software (robots) to automate business tasks that help humans attain new levels of process efficiency, such as improved operational costs, speed, accuracy and throughput volume.  In short, software robots are digital assistants and force-multipliers for humans.

Data and Real-Time Decision Making

Enterprise mobility apps offer significant value on their own, but when integrated into a network with many other applications, objects with sensors, software robots and other data collection technologies, the value of this "network of applications" is multiplied.   The challenge, as identified earlier, is to understand how to use this plethora of real-time data for the purpose of real-time decision-making and operational improvements.  Innovations within many modern military organizations offer lessons for us in the commercial space.

USAF Colonel John Boyd
USAF Colonel John Boyd is credited with the concept of the OODA loop. The OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide and Act) is a concept originally applied to combat operations and processes that involves analyzing real-time data and rapidly making decisions that enable you to out-maneuver an opponent.

According to Boyd, decision-making occurs in a recurring cycle of observe, orient, decide and act.  An entity (whether an individual, organization or software robot) that can complete a decision-making cycle quicker - observing and reacting to unfolding events more rapidly than an opponent, can thereby "get inside" the opponent's decision cycle and gain the advantage.

In the business world, OODA loop is an emerging concept for making better decisions, faster, and managing more effectively.  The ability to observe and react to unfolding events more rapidly than competition requires data collection, communication, analytics and solutions that can use the data to optimize operations. Some of the different enterprise solutions that can exploit IoT data are:
  • Field services solutions
  • Fleet management systems
  • Supply chain management systems
  • Optimized workforce scheduling solutions
  • Solutions using predictive analytics and machine learning
  • Enterprise asset management solutions
  • Plant maintenance systems
  • Facility management solutions
  • CRM solutions
  • Healthcare management systems
  • etc.
Many of these solutions are already utilizing software robots to quickly accomplish complex tasks and to analyze and act on incoming data.

Let us walk through a field service scenario together.  Mobile apps and sensors (human and machine) supply the data that enables a field services manager or software robot to observe.  Business analytic systems can be used to help managers or software robots to be oriented as to what the data means, and how it impacts the mission/project/task.  Next the manager or software robot needs to decide what actions to take, and then act.

OODA Loop
The “loop” in OODA Loop refers to the fact that this is a continual process. Each time you complete a cycle in the OODA loop you again observe, orient, decide and act based upon the results you see from the prior cycle.  The speed at which you cycle through the loop can be greatly enhanced by the use of supporting software robots.

Those involved in agile development projects will recognize these cycles.  If the results are positive, you can continue down that path and improve it. If the results are negative, you quickly adjust. It is a fast moving process of trial, error and adjustment until you get the results you want.

The OODA loop is particularly useful in environments that are unpredictable.  In these working environments, decision-making is often very difficult and without the appropriate training, or automated systems (software robots) - indecision, inaction, inefficiency or even chaos may occurs.  The OODA Loop is a decision-making process that is well suited to helping people or software robots make decisions and act in situations where there is no identified plan or obvious right answer.  

The military has effectively implemented the OODA Loop decision making process for use in many different areas including air combat, tank warfare, maneuver warfare strategies and daily in Special Forces operations.  Today, predictive analytics and software robots are utilizing OODA Loops with machine learning to cycle through analysis, decision-making and action even quicker.  In fact, many of today's most advanced jet fighters require the use of ultra-fast software robots in order to maneuver and stay airborne.

In a world where nearly 40 percent of the workforce is mobile, companies must learn and implement these concepts in order to successfully manage mobile and remote operations and services.  To be successful implementing and integrating the OODA loop, software robots and Network Centric Operational concepts into field services operations it requires the following:
  1. Data collection systems, sensors (IoT)
  2. Mobile apps 
  3. Real-time mobile communications
  4. GPS tracking - real time knowledge of the location of your mobile workforce, assets and inventories
  5. Real time knowledge of the capabilities and expertise of your mobile workforce
  6. Real time status and progress updates of the tasks, work assignments, projects and the schedules of the mobile workforce
  7. Real time knowledge of the location of all materials, equipment, tools and other assets required to complete specific tasks
  8. Field service management system that assigns, schedules and dispatches specific assignments to specific members of your mobile workforce (often utilizing software robots)
  9. Real-time business analytics 
  10. OODA Loop or similar rapid decision-making processes
All of the items listed above help provide the real time visibility into your field operations that is required in a networked field services organization practicing OODA Loop strategies and processes.

One of the remaining challenges, however, with the systems listed above is that humans quickly become overwhelmed by large volumes of data.  Complexity can become an inhibitor to the practice of OODA.  It is not enough to have real time visibility into massive volumes of data, one must be able to orient, or understand what the data means and how it will impact the mission.  That is where automated systems/software robots solve a real problem.  Let's consider the following scenario in a Networked Field Service environment:
  1. A high value bulldozer with an engine sensor wirelessly notifies a service provider that maintenance is needed.
  2. The information is instantly integrated into the work order management system of the service provider.
  3. The business intelligence feature analyzes the scheduling requirements related to the maintenance code that was received.
  4. Automated processes (software robots) quickly search for maintenance updates or alerts from the tractor’s manufacturer that might be related to the received code.
  5. Automated processes (software robots) search for the location of the nearest available and qualified diesel mechanic
  6. Automated processes (software robots) review all qualified mechanics' schedules and compares them for the purpose of optimizing all schedules.
  7. Automated processes (software robots) search for the nearest location where there is an inventory of parts for that particular make and model of tractor.
  8. Automated processes (software robots) looks for the nearest inventory of tools and repair equipment that may be necessary to complete the job.
  9. Automated processes (software robots) search for and reports on the current account status for the customer and any relevant warranty or service contract details.
  10. All of this data is unified and wirelessly sent to the service technician’s smartphone.
All of the above steps can be performed in seconds, with the right data, analytics, processes, solutions, software robots and strategies, but only when accurate and real-time data is available.

In summary, the Network Centric Operations concept seeks to translate an information advantage, enabled in part by mobile, IoT, analytics, management solutions and software robotics into a competitive advantage through the robust networking of well informed geographically dispersed people and assets.   This networked organization, using the OODA loop decision making cycle, has the tools necessary to make good and quick decisions in chaotic and unpredictable environments.



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Kevin Benedict
Writer, Speaker, Senior Analyst
Digital Transformation, EBA, Center for the Future of Work Cognizant
View my profile on LinkedIn
Learn about mobile strategies at MobileEnterpriseStrategies.com
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Subscribe to Kevin'sYouTube Channel
Join the Linkedin Group Strategic Enterprise Mobility
Join the Google+ Community Mobile Enterprise Strategies

***Full Disclosure: These are my personal opinions. No company is silly enough to claim them. I am a mobility and digital transformation analyst, consultant and writer. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.

Networked Field Services and Real-Time Decision Making

Investment in space travel has provided many direct and indirect benefits to society.  For example, weather forecasting technology, solar energy, scratch resistant lenses, water purification systems, enriched baby food and air quality monitoring have all made advancements because of investments in space travel research.  Likewise, the military has made huge investments related to the implementation of Network-Centric Warfare technologies and mobile data collection strategies that are now providing benefit and revolutionizing the way commercial field services organizations operate.

One of the most important capabilities that mobile solutions offer organizations today is the ability to provide better visibility, in near real time, into the activities and events taking place in the field – let’s call it situational awareness.  Historically, it has been difficult to ensure that quality and service standards and processes are followed on remote jobsites and in mobile environments.  The lack of real time visibility often means critical operational decisions and optimized scheduling choices are delayed which results in the inefficient utilization of resources and assets.

Better communication and visibility about the work completed or not completed on remote jobsites can ensure that proper policies and operational and safety processes are followed and assistance is provided when needed.  Receiving, processing and sharing sensor (M2M) data from equipment, digital images, streaming video and real time mobile app updates with management and other process experts can often resolve challenging issues quickly and efficiently.

Today mobile applications support mobile data collection, real time database queries, alerts, mobile business processes, work order dispatch, location tracking, optimized scheduling, customer updates and alerts in most areas of the world.  Situational awareness is a new capability for most organizations.  It virtually enables managers and experts from anywhere in the world to be “digitally present” on remote jobsites.  Being “digitally present” is accomplished today using a variety of tools available on most smartphones. These tools include:
  • Phone
  • Photos
  • Video
  • Voice/Audio
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Augmented reality
  • Bluetooth add-on equipment
  • GPS/Maps/Tracking
  • Custom mobile apps
Most organizations have yet to understand and exploit these capabilities to maximize efficiency and optimize returns. Each of these tools can and do play an important role in a networked field services operation.

The New Networked Organization

The most advanced militaries are developing and implementing strategies based on the concept of Network-Centric Warfare.  These strategies, methodologies and concepts have direct relevance to commercial enterprises and field services organizations today under the name Network-Centric Operations or Networked Field Services.

The military uses rugged handhelds, radios, laptop computers, satellites, radio scanners, drones (UAVs), human resources, video surveillance, aerial surveillance, infrared cameras, remote sensors of all kinds and many other embedded mobile devices to create a web or grid of data collection points that are all wirelessly networked together.

Collected data is securely and wirelessly sent to a central server where it forms a real time and unified view of operations that can be used for analysis, forecasting, resource allocation, planning and real time decision making.  This networked approach enables users to see where their assets are located, where they are needed and how best to manage them at all times to successfully and efficiently accomplish the mission.

Network-Centric Warfare, goes by the name Network-Centric Operations in commercial environments and is a relatively new military doctrine.  It seeks to translate an information advantage (real-time data collected in the field) into a competitive advantage by using it for real-time decision-making.   This networking, combined with real-time data, analytics, AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning, enable organizations to behave and respond in ways never before possible.  This strategy is based on the following four beliefs:
  1. A robustly networked workforce improves data sharing.
  2. Data sharing enhances the quality of information and supports situational awareness.
  3. Shared situational awareness enables collaboration, and management and resource agility.
  4. Points 1-3 support an optimized and efficient workforce
In order to optimize the performance of a military operation or a field services organization, it is critical to know, in real time, the location of all resources, the status of each job, the assets and equipment needed, and the time each job will require. When effectively coordinated and managed, human resources, equipment, assets and mobile inventories can be shared between multiple projects, and the right experts with the right levels of experience can be used on the right projects at the right time.  The bottom line is that a leaner, more efficient organization can be put in the field that can accomplish more work with fewer resources and generate a higher return on investment.

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Kevin Benedict
Writer, Speaker, Senior Analyst
Digital Transformation, EBA, Center for the Future of Work Cognizant
View my profile on LinkedIn
Learn about mobile strategies at MobileEnterpriseStrategies.com
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Subscribe to Kevin'sYouTube Channel
Join the Linkedin Group Strategic Enterprise Mobility
Join the Google+ Community Mobile Enterprise Strategies

***Full Disclosure: These are my personal opinions. No company is silly enough to claim them. I am a mobility and digital transformation analyst, consultant and writer. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.

Interviews with Kevin Benedict