[kriro]

Very interesting read, especially since I had a production management focus at university that I've only partly used so far (when developing ERP software not when running my own company).

"""A good, defensible manufacturing strategy is one where you’re applying and protecting (ideally via patent) a faster, cheaper, more reliable way of doing something in your industry, by borrowing a proven approach from a parallel industry."""

I very strongly disagree with this and find the thought process very unnatural. Patenting something you copied almost feels like it's against human nature to me. Humans essentially learn via copy and improve. Thankfully business practice patents are not valid in some countries.

I also disagree with the thoughts on not focusing on software or at least think the author undervalues the potential role software can play. I think some of the major problems in production management are very ripe for algorithmic innovations. Plant layout planning and job scheduling (basically most operations research) seem very suitable to AI/learning based approaches. Non trivial simulations are also very important for well run production companies (anecdotally, from the ERP development experience).

[huhtenberg]

> Patenting something you _ copied _ ...

Strawman. That's not what your OP's quote says.

[kriro]

The OP describes competition teardown and learning from what they do, essentially reverse engineering their processes and also applying things from other domains to your own domains. I think seeking patent protection for your own processes when you actively recommend tearing down processes of your competition is a bit odd.

"""borrowing a proven approach from a parallel industry"""

I've translated that to copy+improve. I mean what if that approach was patent protected? How would you go about borrowing that proven approach?

[coldtea]

>I've translated that to copy+improve. I mean what if that approach was patent protected? How would you go about borrowing that proven approach?

That's why he talks about borrowing it from ANOTHER domain, where even if its patented, it doesn't apply to yours.