Who Am I?

My name is Nick Blackburn. I am an Information Communications & Telecommunications (ICT) Engineering student majoring in Software. I have a background in industrial design and product development graduating from Industrial Design in 2008 from the University of Western Sydney.

Why take the studio?

I am taking the Summer Studio C IoT product development from a data perspective as I believe IoT is a growing field of product development and engineering. IoT has many problems to solve, with my background in Industrial Design combined with my current studies of ICT Software Engineering I believe I can solve many issues to the benefit of everyday users.

I would like one day help businesses and communities in building more efficient processes through data collection, analysis and machine learning to lead product development in overcoming everyday and business problems and challenges.

I am a firm believer that collecting qualitative data with thorough analysis in consultation with idea stakeholders will result in improving problem resolution, quality of life / work and improvement in performance enjoyment of carrying out tasks.

My Objectives for the Studio

I hope to gain further understanding of how I can collect and implement data to build a product that will help people. In gaining this further understanding I will extend my technical knowledge. This studio will continue to equip me in my goal to improve people’s lives through technology. The Internet of Things is one technological area that improves people’s day to day lives.

What is my idea?

In my work in Sydney’s hospitality industry, I have seen many opportunities for the development of IoT products to enhance and make more efficient systems of managing stock and produce.

One such area exists in stock management and control with a focus on efficiency with error minimization in stock handling of alcohol. There is never a system of weights and measures that can fully eliminate wastage of stock in bars. My project aims to minimise stock wastage and human error in stock handling through efficient use of data with real time feedback.

My solution includes more efficient means of sock control with the outlook of providing real time data on stock management. This will in turn potentially saves time in running full monthly or biweekly inventory stock takes maximising management’s time in other facets of their roles.

Physical full inventory audits will always be necessary when taxation and finance is concerned at the front of house level of hospitality. The frequency in which they are run will be minimised, to near zero, with an IoT solution such as my proposal saving money in man hours opening management to more creative sales pursuits.

Extending this system to other facets of transport and logistics, specifically for the hospitality industry can continue data flow of product from producer to retailer through wholesale supply chains. Devices built to measure climate of storage centers and weights of palettes in real time will allow those trading in wine to manage and control their product stock levels from anywhere in close to real time.

This is highly important in reference to alcohol. if the product breaks or spoils in transit the fallout can be mitigated before sale has been made or promises of delivering product that is rare or in short supply is finalised. This makes doing business in a highly competitive market faster, more reliable and efficient giving a competitive edge when doing business.

The implications of such a system are to automate paperwork and streamline processes so those that wish to concentrate their time to further research on product or negotiation with producers and suppliers can fulfill their demand while balancing the demands already on their day to day business.