Issues and Priorities
Materials, energy and technology are
the three basic components that have always been associated
with human civilization. Materials are used in making
products. Technology is the method of making products.
Energy is used in making and using products. Materials
are required everywhere for making various products. Without
(best) materials, it is not possible to manufacture (world
class) products, provide dependable services, increase
productivity or compete internationally - or become a
developed (prosperous, strong, mature and compassionate)
country. This indicates that materials, energy
and technology are the basic components that
matter. Everything else follows.
The demand for value for money
has made building quality and reducing cost a password.
Style is giving way to substance. Meeting application
requirements, service conditions and customer likes (and
dislikes) has become the order of the day. The need to
prevent breakdowns, ensure safety and get appreciative
feedback from the users have made analyzing failures,
addressing customer complaints and ensuring product reliability
the first priority. Developing products better than the
best in quality and lower than the lowest in cost has
become the key to success.
Testing is the only way to determine
quality and it helps minimize rejects, prevent failures
and reduce waste. It is carried out at all stages - before,
during and after manufacturing and many times
at periodical intervals during the entire life of products.
R&D is the root of technology and is the only route to
improve quality, stay ahead of competition and reduce
cost. Taking decisions in isolation is out. Detailing,
making integrated approach and finding total and cost
effective solutions through testing and R&D is in.
Precision, accuracy and traceability
of measurements, soundness and impartiality of judgments,
reliability of results and value addition have become
the primary focus in testing and technical reports.
The need to understand the know-how
and know-why, keep the cost to minimum and ensure
unhindered and continuous growth have made developing
indigenous technologies a necessity. The benefits of indigenous
development and self-reliance have made concentrating
on applied R&D the best and cost effective solution.
Due to busy production schedules, time
constraints and high cost and low utilization of in-house
test and R&D facilities, the industry is looking for strategic
partnerships and to outsource testing, failure analysis,
applied R&D, quality improvement and related programs.
Institutions concentrating on pioneering and frontier
research are looking for organizations for engineering
their research into technologies and products.
During outsourcing, the credibility and
the capability to deliver are becoming more important
than the past experience.
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