Manufacturing Business Technology articles from November 2008

Manufacturing Business Technology archives from November 2008

I've seen the future, and it's SOA-enabled.
November 1, 2008... By Sidney Hill, Jr., executive editor As we approach the end of another year, there is much uncertainty about what the future holds. On a personal level, many people are wondering if they will have jobs 12 months from now. On a national...

Manufacturing operations Q4 wrap-up: Not the perfect storm we expected.
November 1, 2008... By Alison Smith We dubbed 2008 the "Year of the Perfect Storm" in January, but not with the economic climate in mind. As 2008 draws to a close, the troubled economy is just the storm manufacturers needed to catalyze broad business process...

Shifting sands of globalization require a firm applications base.
November 1, 2008... By Cindy Jutras Globalization strategies once were fueled by a combination of unprecedented opportunities from emerging markets, and the quest for lower costs. Yet the rapidly changing world economy is impacting strategies that determine...

Trying to pick a winner.
November 1, 2008... By Frank O Smith, contributing editor Competing industrial wireless standards stir--rather than clarify--issues Wireless technology is proving itself in industrial settings. A number of manufacturers--lured by potential cost savings or...

Voice-directed warehousing & distribution report speaks to new heights in accuracy.
November 1, 2008... By Jim Fulcher, contributing editor (jimfulcher@comcast.net) While much has been done to improve operations in distribution centers and warehouses, there's always room for improvement. In fact, results of a recent study conducted by...

Almost business as usual: Software AG remains upbeat despite global economic crisis.(Company overview)
November 1, 2008... By Frank O Smith, senior contributing editor (fosmith@thewritinggroup.com) Software AG executives presented a positive message at the company's Innovation World 2008 user conference held in Miami in early November: third-quarter operating...

A strategic platform.(Company overview)
November 1, 2008... By Malcolm Wheatley, senior contributing editor Chemical maker finds ERP fully supports its growth-through-acquisition strategy Vertellus Specialties , a $450-million-a-year manufacturer of chemicals, could be the subject of two...

Executive decision: Know when and how to choose a turnaround consultant.
November 1, 2008... By David Priestley Today we hear of one economic sector after another seeking help in turning around their declining businesses. From airlines and breweries to retailers and online search companies, everyone is taking steps to make the...

Change your view: Enterprise vendors want users to embrace ERP as a strategic tool.(Conference notes)
November 1, 2008... By Sidney Hill, Jr., executive editor (shill@reedbusiness.com) Most manufacturers rely on ERP systems to take orders, track inventory, record payments, and process other major transactions. Now ERP vendors want users to embrace their...

In brief: Epicor fends off takeover.
November 1, 2008... By Staff At the same time the company was preparing to introduce a new version of its ERP suite to customers, the board of directors for Epicor Software was pondering what to do about a takeover bid by one of the company's largest...

ERP-enabled response management fulfills dynamic customer demand.
November 1, 2008... By Staff A world-class provider of design engineering and manufacturing services for electronic products, BreconRidge collaborates using voice, video, and data applications with the world's leading communications, industrial, medical, and...

Automotive supplier finds system to support Lean internal processes, customer requirements.
November 1, 2008... By Staff London, Ohio-based Nissen Chemitec America , a plastic injection molder serving automakers like Honda and Toyota , thought it was making the sensible choice in adopting an ERP system touted as tailor-made for auto industry...

Packaging solutions specialist supports end-user versatility with an ETO/CTO business model.
November 1, 2008... By Staff Small companies like De Pere, Wis.-based Campbell Wrapper routinely rely on key people who are well versed in a number of functional areas. "I wear multiple hats here," says Todd Goodwin, VP of finance and administration for...

World view:Manufacturers make the most of the multiplant model.
November 1, 2008... By Hope Neal, contributing editor In 1999, saddled with an antiquated IT system from a vendor that had gone out of business, Brooklyn-based Lee Spring , a privately held manufacturer of industrial components, issued a request-for-proposal...

Employee misunderstanding: Use assessment technology to rate confidence and competence.
November 1, 2008... By Frank O Smith (fosmith@thewritinggroup.com) Employee misunderstanding in the manufacturing industry comes in many forms, and can result in devastating consequences. For a line worker who misunderstands how to operate a piece of...

Open secrets.
November 1, 2008... By Jim Fulcher, contributing editor Globalization requires manufacturers to allow controlled access to intellectual property It can be argued that a manufacturer's intellectual property (IP) is its greatest asset. It is, after all, the...

Six categories, one big prize: WTG honors manufacturers for game-changing business process projects.
November 1, 2008... By Malcolm Wheatley, senior contributing editor (malcolm_wheatley@compuserve.com) A state-of-the-art manufacturing execution system (MES) in use at the historic St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin gained international recognition at World...

Managing innovation: Microsoft forum showcases tools, processes for successful product development.
November 1, 2008... By Sidney Hill, Jr., executive editor (shill@reedbusiness.com) If you had an idea for a new product, would you know who to contact about getting it to market? If the answer is no, you're part of the majority of corporate employees. A recent...

Hurricane strength: 3PLs use software to smooth supply chain disruptions.
November 1, 2008... By Jean Thilmany, contributing editor (thilmanyj@gmail.com) As Hurricane Ike bore down in September and threatened to disrupt offshore oil supplies, manufacturers that source from the Texas area and use Ryder for logistics and...

Cradle to grave: IBM Consulting PLM offering makes for greener products, processes.
November 1, 2008... By Jean Thilmany, contributing editor (thilmanyj@gmail.com) Manufacturers are more focused than ever on eco-friendly design, production, and distribution. But enacting the right design, manufacturing, and shipping practices that ultimately...

Before you sign: Consider the pros and cons of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) adoption.
November 1, 2008... Thomas J. Hall, Of Counsel, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, PC Growth of the Internet, and particularly of reliable broadband connections, opened the door to a new commercial model--Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)--in which...