ABSTRACT
Every enterprise must continuously compare the external progress of relevant technology to its internal use and needs. The assessment must be all-encompassing: evaluation of technology that produces products and services and evaluation of technology that supports all operations needed to produce and market the company business. Two areas must be tracked in technology. The first and obvious one relates to present business and present operations. The second consists of new and emerging technologies, particularly when they are very different from the company’s traditional know-how. At the same time, communication and the exchange of ideas with other organizations on a worldwide basis must be stimulated. Another approach, gaining popularity, is to outsource research and development of new technologies to organizations specializing in such endeavors as their main business. Realistically, however, there’s not much control over timing and results of pioneering research efforts performed in one’s own laboratories.
