Technology and Operations

[GOS]

•   Investing in new technologies should be the last resort in squeezing the maximum out of your existing resources and capabilities
•   It should only be used where there is a clear business case, and more than one just based on some process-reengineered theoretical productivity improvement
•   Investment should be made when there is a clear, proven step-chain shift in the fundamental “technology” or “system” being used

[Empirica-Consulting]

I have led many projects to evaluate the need, or otherwise, for capital expenditure in assets/technology in production and supply chain networks. In all that work, avoidance of unnecessary investment in assets/technology is the common theme.

Often modelling and analysis work will highlight opportunities to delay or avoid investment by using existing assets/technology in a more effective way, by leveraging external/partner assets, or by making other intelligent trade-offs in the operations strategy.