The Research Division provides a major part of the labs' attraction. THE LAB Reassuring visitors that IBM has their corporate interests in mind plays a major role in the whole process. In a typical day at the labs, the client team from the Global Industries unit that acts as host first gives its visitors the opportunity to address IBMers about their companies and concerns. IBM personnel then discuss their view of the visitors' industry and related industries. After interactive discussions, the meeting adjourns for lunch, followed by working sessions on steps that the visiting company might take to solve specific problems.
Research also benefits from the ISLs' activities.
You learn a very great deal by getting real end-users to give you feedback. Our researchers get inspired by seeing how their technology can solve real-world customer problems. The Research Division has moved up a fast learning curve. But many of them have come around to see its value and have gained a great deal of insight. For example, on hand for a visit to the Hawthorne ISL by executives from a South African paper mill company was a former line manager from IBM's East Fishkill, New York, facility who is an expert on preventive maintenance - an approach to manufacturing that seeks to detect and eliminate the causes of potential problems before they happen.