With over 500 events, in more than 30 towns and cities around New Zealand, Techweek is a National Tech Innovation Week aimed at building enthusiasm around new technologies. Beta Solutions hosted a Business Breakfast event during Techweek 2019, drawing over 50 attendees interested in innovation and Industry 4.0. The event addressed common questions entrepreneurs and company staff face: what is Industry 4.0, why it matters, and what steps to take when no ready-made solutions exist.
Industry 4.0 Overview
Aaron Fulton, Beta Solutions' Systems Developer, covered several transformative technologies:
- End-to-end digitization and data integration
- Cyber-physical systems
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Cloud computing
- Cognitive computing
The presentation emphasized that successful businesses need focus in two areas: Digital Maturity and Organisational Mastery. Companies must adapt quickly to new opportunities while managing rising customer expectations.
Attendee feedback highlighted: "Industry 4.0 isn't a term I'd heard before, and Beta Solutions' R&D process is inspiring."
Case Studies
Resene SmartTouch
Mark Glenny from Resene Paints shared their R&D journey for conductive coatings. The SmartTouch product exemplified Industry 4.0 principles through cyber-physical systems, user-centric design, mechanical and electrical engineering, microcontroller integration, and connectivity.
Omeo Personal Mobility Device
Kevin Halsall described the development and commercialization of Omeo, highlighting prototyping and user testing challenges throughout the R&D process.
R&D Process and Partnerships
Sixty percent of survey respondents rated the R&D session most valuable. Terry Southern, Beta Solutions' CEO, explained that effective R&D requires understanding its dual nature, "Research" and "Development", each with distinct roles.
Cynefin Framework
The company employs the Cynefin Framework to manage project complexity, recognizing that "not all ideas, systems nor R&D projects are created equal."
R&D Process Components
- Project management
- Design
- Prototyping
- Validation and testing
- Regulatory considerations
- Manufacturing
Partnership Considerations
Successful innovation partnerships should feature:
- Demonstrated value creation
- Shared common values
- Clear structure decisions (in-sourcing, outsourcing, or hybrid approaches)
Key insight from attendees: "Doing it alone is the exception. Find the right partner."
Conclusion
Key recommendations for innovation success:
- Ideas alone don't constitute innovation
- Use decision-making frameworks like Cynefin to understand R&D complexity
- Develop realistic expectations through proper R&D process knowledge
- Leverage partnerships that accelerate market entry
- When no off-the-shelf solutions exist, innovate with purpose
Beta Solutions plans future Techweek events to continue sharing industry insights.
