Ultrasound… A Jack of All Trades

The Swiss Army Knife of Condition Monitoring

“Versatile” is an attribute often used to describe ultrasound technology. Some have even coined it the “Swiss Army Knife” of condition monitoring. Depending on your perception of Swiss army knives, that could be both flattering and condemning at the same time. The knife itself is iconic with Swiss-made quality, while the phrase “Swiss Army Knife”, over time, morphed into an adjective to describe craftspeople with diverse skills, capable of practically any task.The Jack of All Trades evolved from a simpler time. Before technology spawned the need for “specialists”, handymen were called upon to fix practically anything. They remain a holdover from our rural roots, when it was good economy to just fix it yourself. My father is a JAT personified.

For some ultrasound brands, the swiss army knife analogy to durability and quality are appropriate. Yet there is a tendency to be wary of things — and people — who claim they can fix everything and anything. A “Jack of all Trades” may seem handy at times, but he also comes with the stigma of being good at many things, but master of nothing.