The Technology Machine: How Manufacturing Will Work in the Year 2020

How will autonomous agents emergent systems and chaos theory change the way we live and work in the twenty-first century? As todays manufacturing and production systems grow increasingly complex tomorrows science of complexity will produce paradoxically simple solutions argue technology experts Patricia Moody and Richard Morley in this astonishing vision of the year 2020.. Containing both cutting-edge insights and simple truths that provide a roadmap to the future of business -- and illustrated by case examples from such companies as Motorola Honda GM Solectron Intel Silicon Graphics Modicon Flavors NeXT Japanese Railway and Andover Controls -- The Technology Machine challenges readers to understand the spirit and core drivers of growth: technology knowledge and individual excellence.. By combining rigorous research with their extensive experience with technology advances that have changed industry Moody and Morley are able to supply simple guidelines for future growth and detail their keen vision of future systems leaders and workers. They isolate the three bad business habits at the root of manufacturing problems today -- shortsightedness restrictive structures and unbalanced improvement fads -- show how to break them and supply four infallible predictors of the types of breakthrough technologies that will come to dominate the world of the future. In that world customers and suppliers are linked by real-time online systems; business is driven by customer-designed point-of-consumption replication of product; and a wide gap grows between The Island of Excellence organization of the future -- with its holistic approach including two-year apprenticeships uniforms and morning exercises -- and The Others the non-elite sweatshop-like breakeven companies of the past. The book is eloquent original and essential reading for managers in every area of business and industry.