On 9/17/08 10:47 AM, Frank Feather wrote:
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The use of the biology analogy would seem to parallel that of what is called “complex adaptive systems” or CAS.

If this is what you are looking for, a lot of work has been done in this area by the Santa Fe Institute.

In terms of organizational application, the John Deere company uses a blend of mass-customization and complexity theory. In the mid-1990s, the company began using biological algorithms that previously were used to build scheduling software for the U.S. Department of Defense. Those algorithms originally were developed to analyze cell division. The software, called Optiflex, was used to create perfect assembly schedules at the company’s plants. I don’t know the current status of what they are doing.

I also imagine something similar is used by Dell to operate its mass-customization computer assembly operations.

If you search for CAS, Deere, Dell, and Optiflex you are sure to find some current applications.

Personally, I am conducting in-depth research on the whole phenomenon of social networking (which is biological in nature) and I hope to apply that work to business settings in the near future.

We are also currently witnessing the complex biology of the global financial system, and how some organizations (such as AIG) are so complex that the government felt the need to bail them out, because of the potential catastrophe of allowing them to fail. However, the financial service companies, including AIG, clearly are not using biological strategies, or else they would not get themselves into such chaotic messes.

On 9/17/08 10:38 PM, Shava Nerad wrote:
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My new business is based on a visual stimulus response in humans, and a media independent way to harness that for entertainment, marketing, and medical applications. But at root, we’re an entertainment company with a bunch of brain power to devote to what reaches into the brain!

So while we aren’t really working with biology in terms of getting wet, we will be working with medical groups for both validation of our ideas, and to help them develop therapeutic uses of the method under license.

My partner is an artist, I’m a geek, and we’re both interested in brain science. It’s a fun combination.

Hi Simon

That’s an interesting angle. Some of the work I have been involved in has looked at VOC’s and the role they play in attracting insects to plants. There is probably a way of changing the VOC content to create a signature that repels the flies withought changing the dynamics of the mixture you need for the steel. It might be an idea to connect directly on LinkedIn. Send me your email or you can use mine phil.richardson@thoughtcrew.net

thanks again for the answer

Phil

On 9/17/08 11:31 AM, Simon Hamer wrote:
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We catch dragonflies from the river to keep the flies down.

Flies are attracted to the chemicals in tool steel, and the bugs that build up in swarf coolant.

Phil Richardson wrote:

Hi Paul

Thanks for the answer. The sort of information I am interested in relates to the use of biological systems in solving business problems. There is work going on at Philips creating a lab on a chip using technology based on cilia. Another example is the development in Germany of insulation based on polar bear fur. I’m working with biological systems as a way of developing innovative strategy, processes and products. If you would be interested in connecting to keep in touch my email is phil.richardson@thoughtcrew.net

thanks again for the answer

Phil

On 9/17/08 12:53 PM, Paul Ward wrote:
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Genetic algorithms and packing algorithms are common for marketing analysis and shipping logistics. Is this the kind of stuff you’re looking for?

Hi Nitin

Many thanks for the reply. I’ve been working alongside Philips and they have created a lab on a chip using cilia that they have fabricated at the micro metre level. There is also some interesting work going on the the DoD using non-sticky adhesive based on the gecko’s foot. I have been looking at the application of biomimetics in process and strategy and getting some excellent responses from global business brands thanks again for the reply

Phil

On 9/17/08 6:09 PM, Nitin Kumar wrote:
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Biometric security systems, retinal scans in access control devices are getting very common in the world of information secuity.

There is also rumors of human and animal DNA being used for steganography transmitting stealth messages.