DIGITALISATION –When the World Requires Realism
You find an interesting webinar, article, or ad under the headline “Digitisation”. You participate in the event and get to know the subject enthusiastically. You paint in your mind incredible ideas on how to grow your business. In the end, however, you press your gaze to the ground and sigh deeply, because truly genuine solutions did not exist. There is still no moon in the sky -moment, but instead “let’s go brainstorming together”.
There has been talk of digitisation ongoing for at least the last ten years, and various service solutions or products have been developed. In terms of maintenance, there have been discussions on analytics and simulation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile solutions, and virtual and augmented reality. As a result, fault prediction, “pre-chewed” data with decision proposals (read artificial intelligence) and ready-made maintenance instructions for smart glasses have been promised. For the most part, digitalisation has been described as a “Superman,” but so far it has shown up more in its day job.
In spring 2020, Covid-19 came and changed everything. Partly for an indefinite period of time, partly permanently. Earlier digitalisation was partly a choice, now it is forced. We are forced to find solutions and products that enable us to operate in changed circumstances. Solutions that can be implemented now, not in a five years’ time. Suddenly, digitalisation doesn’t have to be an all-encompassing miracle from the planet Krypton. An honest and reliable engineer is enough. And here, I think, lies the whole thing.
Ongoing digitisation discussion could be described as a 100-meter run. In the debate there has been a desire to run 100 meters in less than 10 seconds. This is possible, but the starting level has been at 13 seconds. Thus, we have to pull on our training clothes and humble ourselves to work towards the 10 second goal. It is good to know in which direction you are going, and there must be ambition. Personally, however, I also want to get a real picture and understanding of the present without the need to take off the mask.
For example, would real-time and visualised data, online training spiced up with virtual reality exercises, and good mobile solutions be the realism that already provides significant benefits?
Erkki Mäkelä
Business Manager Kiwa Impact
Digital Services at Kiwa
