Pictures of the Future      Fall 2001

A look into our future

Edward G. Krubasik

Prof. Edward G. Krubasik, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, has special responsibilities for Corporate Technology as well as for various Groups in the Transportation and Automation and Control business segments

The global electrical and electronics marketis growing at a rate of between 7 and 8 % each year, making it the world's most dynamic large-scale industry. It is an industry characterized by constant technological and structural transformation. The pace of progress in microelectronics and software development remains high, and product and system cycles are becoming ever shorter. New products and services, price pressures, globalization, more customer focus and e-business—these are the challenges we now face. There is no doubt that we are entering a new age—described by some as the fifth Kondratieff cycle—in which information and communications will reshape all areas of life and enhance the significance of services, knowledge and expertise in the creation of value. But what's the best path into the future? Which new technologies and business concepts should companies employ to meet the demands of tomorrow's customers? These are exciting questions, and the ability to provide the correct answers will determine who will prosper in this new age.

Innovation management,a strategy for "the future," is becoming practically indispensable. At Siemens, one of the world's leading electrical and electronics companies, Corporate Technology and the Groups have developed a new procedure called "Pictures of the Future" for implementing such a strategy. Pictures of the Future are sophisticated studies presenting Siemens' technological visions for five key corporate areas: information and communications, automation, energy, transport, and healthcare. These studies, which are continuously updated, are used to derive information on market potential, technological trends and new business opportunities. They can also lead to the development of new ways of working and identify the technological breakthroughs that will enable us to achieve our goals.

Our Pictures of the Future magazinealso marks a new approach. By leading off with scenarios of the future and building on these with profound articles, we want to provide our readers with comprehensive and expert insight into current research and development activities at our company. Each issue will focus on a few specific themes that will be presented from the perspective of both Siemens researchers and developers and the users of evolving technologies. International developments will also be reviewed. Our goal is to provide you with a look into a future that all of us will create together. What could be more exciting than that?