Re: Technology Characterization

Larry Perlov (D83884@tsp.eskom.co.za)
Tue, 10 Jan 1995 11:31:58 GMT+200

Regarding Steen Martin's request to classify technologies and use a
method to communicate technology to the rest of the organization. I
have attended a Technology Management course at the University of
Cape Town - Graduate School of Business. The course was given by
Prof Rias van Wyk. Prof van Wyk's theory on technology
classification and communication is given below. See various papers
by Prof van Wyk for more details.

The theory is that any technologty can fit into a nine cell matrix,
and that matrix is therefore the way to classify technology.

The matrix is as follows:

Process Transport Store
+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| | | |
Matter | | | |
| | | |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| | | |
Energy | | | |
| | | |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| | | |
Information | | | |
| | | |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+

For example, a computer is an information processor, a battery is an
energy storage device, a conveyor or a truck is a matter transport
device, a transmission line is an energy transportation device, etc.

Regards,

Larry Perlov *** *****
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E S K O M

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* Larry Perlov - e-mail: D83884@TSP.Eskom.Co.Za *
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