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The computer and the network that connects them are
both inextricably linked to the success of any business. This truth is at the heart of our
contemporary connection economy.
“The
computer patiently measures and reports. [T]he network creates value in
connection. The connection economy values the bridges between the nodes as much
as the nodes themselves.” – Seth Godin
This train of thought explains why Uber is worth more
than the independent cars it connects.
It also describes the imperative for enterprises to redefine their
network in order to operate in the modern data economy. The instantiation of today’s data economy lies
in the digital
supply chain that links customer demand and organizational products. This reality surfaces the need for
organizations to transform their supply chains into demand and product
networks. This strategic vector increasingly includes the Internet of Things
(IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and their joint ability to
support new and varied digital products.
Networks and networked devices are just
as vital to a business as they are, in many cases, integral to the digital
product itself. Many modern business
models boil down to having the ability to connect information seekers to
service providers that serve as information sources. Uber, AirBNB, and
Travelocity are all examples of this sort of business transformation that can
be created through the real-time management of information accessible via network
connected devices. This same business model could be just as effective in any company
if it was able to focus on delivering customer centric services in a rapid,
network enhanced manner. Linking
chain-of-delivery communications, for example, could optimize just about any
business model that could benefit from gaining scheduling efficiencies.
Another impressive reality lies in how IoT is becoming the
glue of the extended network supply chain. Through the use of
machine-to-machine communications, physical product sensor data can now provide
new and different insights into supply chain efficiency and customer service
levels. These innovations are even
providing direct linkage between maintenance contracts and original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs).
With extended digital supply chains supported by business
driven IoT technologies operating over a software defined networked
environment, the digital economy is directly connected to the larger
enterprise. With this capability,
companies can effectively respond to real-time information, capture
opportunities and flexibly solve their customer’s problems. This concept
transforms supply chain silos into product and demand networks. It facilitates
real-time information exchange and drives the required focus on customer
centricity and speed. This approach also
leads to a successful accomplishment of seven
key tasks that enables your business model to thrive in today’s connection
economy:
- Deliver sustainable product innovation that wins market share and meets regulatory and quality requirements
- Execute demand-driven business processes that effectively address strategic, financial, sales, and operational goals
- Sense customer demand, orchestrate your production supply chain and respond with appropriate services in real-time with profit
- Maximize automation and enable full visibility and transparency of your internal and external operations
- Integrate your digital supply chain, physical logistics and order fulfillment processes in a way that delivers wildly satisfied customers
- Operate and manage all assets at lower risk, improved security, higher safety, better quality and with improve return on assets
- Monitor and measure everything using real-time network management tools that sense, analyze, and predict events and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Accomplishing
all of these tasks requires a competent and experienced enterprise network
management team that can ensure efficient connections and improved network
agility. These two attributes are
essential to attaining the twin organizational goals of reduced cost and reduced
complexity. At a minimum, your team must
be adept at network management automation, software defined networking and
cloud networking operations. Needed
capabilities could also include:
- Enterprise WAN redesign
- Rapid expansion of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)
- Software defined networking to enable end-to-end programmability and automation
- Cognitive computing advances for more capable network assurance and troubleshooting capabilities.
- Location-based services that support enterprise applications
Your return on these network investments will be
realized through less network downtime, improved staff efficiencies and
enhanced industry competitiveness.
