semweb2slide22
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The second feature is Incremental Automation. Let’s assume that every step of a cross-organizational process is initially performed manually, using tools such as email, Web browsers and phones. One day, Joe in GSA’s stock room, decides he’s got better things to do than manually check a web site to determine whether there are sufficient PCs on hand. He tasks his Personal Agent to check the inventory levels for him, and if there are less than 100 on hand, to email a purchase request (or fill out a web-based order form) for approval by his supervisor Bill. We depict this by showing Joe slightly grayed out – he’s still there to handle the rest of his job as well as unexpected events concerning stocking PCs, but he’s got one less task to do manually.
Joe assumes his agent’s request will continue to be processed manually by Bill. However, at some point, Bill gets smart and has his Personal Agent automatically approve routine requests that are within budget and pass them along to John in purchasing. In similar fashion, John might have his Personal Agent pass along routine purchase orders to approved suppliers (e.g., Ingram). At the supplier, an order entry clerk might task her agent to check if the order can be fulfilled from stock on hand, and if not, to pass it along to the manufacturer (HP) for drop shipping to the customer (GSA).
Imagine tens of thousands of individuals at thousands of organizations in a supply chain, each independently and for their own reasons deciding to automate some routine parts of their jobs. The result is a form of emergent intelligence, where complex processes are automated not through an explicit design process, but rather through the independent actions of many, one person and one task at a time.
This instance of mass collaboration is a very appropriate segue to our tour of Web 2.0.
