"The world is full of opposites. In contrast to the eighteen months of rough sailing, the next eighteen months will offer a market platform for a select few interconnect companies to pull ahead of the pack. By using the road mapping process, these companies will link their products and investment strategies to capture real world technologies such as digital broadband, RF/microwave or embedded passives in a cost-effective manner. At the same time, these companies will reduce their risks by minimizing the blind spots in the supply chain, establishing strong OEM links on the procurement side that provide product visibility through the EMS and contract manufacturing cycle."
Bob Forcier, President and CEO of OEM Roadmaps, LLC
Recently, Bob Forcier, President and CEO of OEM Roadmaps, LLC, a start-up venture that offers technology forecasting in the electronics, biotechnology, defense, power generation, and communications markets, wrote an article about how technology companies could avert repeating the inventory glut or a market slowdown. What was refreshing about his article is not that he wrote about road mapping, the tech sector is easily overrun with buzz words, but rather his clear and simple review of recent events in the technology sector and common sense suggestions that are involved in this thing called "road mapping."
Since March this year, the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company has been in the midst of developing their strategic plan for development of the Communications and Information Technology Sector. The effort was titled the C&IT Road map. This effort has focused on the viable opportunities for rapid development and the steps needed to promote this sector’s steady growth. As we embark in the implementation of this new plan, it is poignant that we reflect on what a successful road mapping exercise requires.
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