Second Life for our Industry?
On a recent drive into downtown Houston with Eddie (Founder & CEO of PAS), we mused about the traffic and why so many humans in the western world drive extended distances to work each and every day.
If we had it to do all over again – from scratch – would we build downtown core areas, far-flung suburbs and enormous freeways to move each individual in metal cocoons that we call cars?
Like developing countries putting in cellphone networks in place of copper wire, wouldn’t we also use technology to come up with a new solution?
What would that solution look like? And could we get there from here?
>> Our quick consensus was likely not, since the human race already has so much invested in the automotive, petroleum and construction industries… besides, we believe that we need to see each other face-to-face and in the flesh to do business effectively, right?)
After a few minutes, our conversation led to the topic of the Second Life virtual world.
If you’ve never heard of Second Life, you’re not alone…
In a nutshell, Second Life is a virtual world created by a company in California (where else, right?) in which people take on a virtual persona to socialize and transact business – in real dollars.
Read more here...
Second Life’s first millionaire “resident”…
But, let’s go back to how the Second Life might change EVERYONE”s idea about telecommuting….
Companies could have their own Second Life domains, with employees checking in to the virtual world much like they come to the office. Enhance the user tools to provide a stronger platform for business, add in a good dose of videoconferencing, and today’s notion of telecommuting looks as archaic as the horse and buggy!
Is it possible that a private virtual corporate worlds could come to pass for daily business use? Entertainment – which is Second Life’s primary function today – does have a way of leading reality…
But why blog about virtual worlds and the like? Because the likely most important attribute for corporate success is our ability to change.
As our natural resources diminish, change is necessary.
As our technical talent resigns, change is key.
As a new generation takes over the operation of our chemical plants, power plants and oil refineries, there is no way that the same-old same-old ways will lead to any form of success.
So change is an imperative.
And change means new ways of working, new ways of using technology.
In the future, that may mean a Second Life type of approach.
But today, that means adopting automated alarm management solutions like AMO-Rt, and knowledge/collaboration solutions like Integrity.
At PAS, we struggle with change like every other company on the planet. Our advantage in the process industries, however, is that we are not tied down by plant and equipment in the same way as our colleagues at manufacturing sites.
So we constantly look for new opportunities – new ways of working – new ways to use technology.
Is there a Second Life for the process industries?
You bet.
And at PAS, we’re proud to be both looking for those opportunities and developing them into solutions that can make a difference.
Join us in making a difference, won't you?
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