It’s curious how a single word can come to have two almost opposite meanings. In physics, the word “quantum” can mean “the smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently”, whereas in more general use it can mean the opposite: “a large quantity; bulk”. Both of these definitions are easily found in dictionaries.
There’s a lot of discussion about the “Internet of Things”, which some prefer to think of as “Ambient Intelligence”. There will be an inevitable explosion in the number of devices worldwide that will be able to communicate amongst themselves, as well as with a rapidly increasing number of managing systems. Take for example the ability to remotely control a domestic intruder alarm or domestic appliances from a mobile phone or PDA.
Whether we like it or not, this explosion will impact on PLM. I personally like it a lot because I am interested in whole-of-life PLM and lifecycle management in general: “Closing the Information Loops across All Phases of All Kinds of Lifecycles”.
However, this explosion will not be sustainable without considerable efforts both in standards and product development in order to address some quite significant challenges. The wise know that the “Internet of Things” and “Ambient Intelligence” can only truly become reality if important societal, political and cultural concerns can be properly overcome.
It’s no surprise that both earlier definitions of “quantum” apply in the context of Quantum Lifecycle Management, the name chosen by The Open Group for the new standards consortium it is in the process of forming. Its name implies the quantum leap required to harness the technologies and direction of the “Internet of Things”, embracing the trillions of additional entities that will be introduced to the challenge of lifecycle management.
“Managing particles” will have a significant and unavoidable impact on PLM – are you preparing for it?
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