We have been harping for years that today’s technology and it’s move more and more toward “artificial intelligence” is making the workforce dumber … and leading to a lack of creativity and worker competence.<\/p>\n
See our post ” Is CAD\/CAM Making Your Shop Dumber” HERE<\/a><\/p>\n The WSJ article goes on to blame the slowdown on weak business investment in new equipment … software … and facilities that could boost worker efficiency.<\/p>\n I would agree partially … but would add\u00a0that investment should be made in equipment and software that facilitates and sharpens worker’s skills\u00a0\u00a0and know-how … because when TOO MUCH automation\u00a0is employed … skills suffer.<\/p>\n My belief \u2026 in manufacturing anyway \u2026 is that complex software that performs ALL the tasks automatically are to blame for today\u2019s \u201cdumber\u201d shops \u2026 and possibly the skills drain that shops are experiencing … and in this case the productivity decline.\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Human-focused software \u2026 like our Kipware<\/a>\u00ae \u2026 engages the operator with lots of prompts and pushes people harder to think, act and learn. Our skills develop and get sharper only through practice when we use them regularly. In our recent article I made the point that \u2026 programming a rectangular pocket or the roughing of a multi-step shaft is not rocket science \u2026 but it is tedious. Kipware\u00ae can assist by creating this simpler G code quickly and easily \u2026 but it\u2019s imperative that the user have the ability to create that G code manually if he had to. The message \u2026 \u201d I could do it if I had to but it\u2019s faster and more efficient this way.\u201d \u2026 must be valid. If the user can\u2019t do it \u2026 and is relying on the computer to perform a task he is incapable of \u2026 that\u2019s a problem. The pilot having the ability to land the plane if he had to \u2026 is a lot different than him relying exclusively on the auto-pilot because he doesn\u2019t know how to land the plane.<\/p>\n If measuring your shop’s productivity puts it in step with the overall decline in productivity … it’s time to step up. How?\u00a0Invest in human-focused software and equipment to GROW your workforce … not in numbers but in effectiveness. Statistics show that advances made from newer technologies is less than compared with those from past technologies.<\/p>\n Again a point we constantly harp on … just because a technology is out there doesn’t mean it’s a must-have. \u00a0Driverless cars? Come on … doesn’t the thrill of driving mean anything to anybody ??? And aren’t we a richer person through the driving experience? \u00a0A more skilled person? But I digress.<\/p>\n The point being that rushing out to purchase the latest technology\u00a0is not necessarily a guarantee of increased efficiency and productivity. Instead … expand the\u00a0“human focused ” technology available … and grow the potential of your workforce … and thereby grow it’s potential for greater productivity.<\/p>\n Kenney Skonieczny – President![\"WSJ_IMAGE\"](\"http:\/\/kentechinc.com\/kipware_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/WSJ_IMAGE.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe WAY Forward?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nKentech Inc.<\/p>\n