Collaborative-innovation

In today’s world, the speed of technology evolution along with its pervasiveness, morphing of the world to an inter connected human network and the ubiquity of the classic 3Cs (communication, connectivity and consumer) is a technological marvel to reckon with. This thriving, though relentless age has brought about an exponential increase of data. Data is being generated and captured at the time stamp an event occurs. The challenge now is to tap on this humungous data and sort and assimilate it into useful information which can be leveraged upon in a timely mode.
If an organization were to work in isolation, it may potentially make itself capable and efficient enough to manage this data. However no single company can survive in today’s world as an island of know-how and expertise. It works and thrives in an eco-system - and this is where the biggest challenge for data extraction, management and utilization lies. An organization cannot but depend upon its partners, suppliers, customers and other members of the supply chain for this effective data management. So how does an organization compete in such an inter-linked, fast paced and competitive market place? One of the answers to this lies in Collaborative-Innovation.
Collaborative-Innovation.is the extension of scale and scope of external collaborations, alliances and partnerships to access and exploit new technologies, markets and customers. It leverages on the niche competencies and the individual strengths of the member entities. It enhances the sum capabilities of an organization and its relevant co-innovation partners from the ecosystem through an integrated network of domain expertise, leading edge technologies and platforms.
Key benefits of Collaborative-Innovation. include
• Acceleration of technology adoption and enablement.
• Facilitation of targeting new markets – especially where trade barriers are insurmountable by any one single entity
• Cost reduction and improved efficiency
• Increases options for biz development
• Helps in better management of uncertainties – market, technology&competition
• Generation of innovative ideas, new product concepts and development and testing of prototypes
• Profitable innovation

The process of Collaborative-Innovation. involves formulating strategic intent, assessing capability for innovation, building strategic alliances and partnering agreements etc. – all with the objective of selling and delivering value to the customer.

Collaborative Innovation

In today’s world, the speed of technology evolution along with its pervasiveness, morphing of the world to an inter connected human network and the ubiquity of the classic 3Cs (communication, connectivity and consumer) is a technological marvel to reckon with. This thriving, though relentless age has brought about an exponential increase of data. Data is being generated and captured at the time stamp an event occurs. The challenge now is to tap on this humungous data and sort and assimilate it into useful information which can be leveraged upon in a timely mode.
If an organization were to work in isolation, it may potentially make itself capable and efficient enough to manage this data. However no single company can survive in today’s world as an island of know-how and expertise. It works and thrives in an eco-system - and this is where the biggest challenge for data extraction, management and utilization lies. An organization cannot but depend upon its partners, suppliers, customers and other members of the supply chain for this effective data management. So how does an organization compete in such an inter-linked, fast paced and competitive market place? One of the answers to this lies in collaborative-innovation.
Collaborative-innovation is the extension of scale and scope of external collaborations, alliances and partnerships to access and exploit new technologies, markets and customers. It leverages on the niche competencies and the individual strengths of the member entities. It enhances the sum capabilities of an organization and its relevant innovation partners from the ecosystem through an integrated network of domain expertise, leading edge technologies and platforms.
Key benefits of Collaborative-innovation include
• Acceleration of technology adoption and enablement.
• Facilitation of targeting new markets – especially where trade barriers are insurmountable by any one single entity
• Cost reduction and improved efficiency
• Increases options for biz development
• Helps in better management of uncertainties – market, technology and competition
• Generation of innovative ideas, new product concepts and development and testing of prototypes
• Profitable innovation

The process of Collaborative-innovation involves formulating strategic intent, assessing capability for innovation, building strategic alliances and partnering agreements etc. – all with the objective of selling and delivering value to the customer.

Blending Technology buzzword called SOA with Business

Thanks to the development of technologies, it is no longer processes we are talking about but the business activities which make up a process. Hence it is becoming possible to design many business activities akin to kids world of Lego blocks. What is SOA ? just a new way of designing and deploying software that supports business activities and finally a process.  Each activity can be termed as a "Web Service".

What are the business Activities which can become candidates for Web Services ? This could be derived  on :

Business Value : An Activity or a process which is very critical for your company so that your efficiencies , Uniqueness and gives you competitive advantage determines the Business Value.

Current Performance : If the performance of the business activity is very poor , Will investments made on the same justify the higher performance you can derive from the same 

Predictability : If the performance of the business activity is highly unpredictable then neither can it be shared or shifted out.

More often then not When SOA is being applied with out rethinking the overall design of the business , then the full potential and the opportunity to create a much more focussed , efficient and flexible organization is lost.

Hence Building SOA or buying SOA should be the last step and not the first step in creating a New Operating Model which could be analyzed keeping in mind : 

Primary : Should be kept In-house 

Shared : Can be shared with others / divisions

Shifted : Can be outsourced to customers / specialists 

Automated : If capabilities and User interface can be automated then it can be turned into a Web service

This is a summary from HBR June 2008 issue