Manufacturing Business Technology articles from September 2008

Manufacturing Business Technology archives from September 2008

Let's talk supply chain management, or whatever else is on your mind.
September 1, 2008... By Sidney Hill, Jr., executive editor As a writer, I like getting email--or any form of communication for that matter--about my work. It tells me that at least someone out there is reading it. It's even more gratifying when a reader's...

Energy costs have consumers and manufacturers looking twice at location.
September 1, 2008... By Cindy Jutras Unless you happen to be a city dweller that long ago traded in your car in favor of public transportation, you are faced with the rising cost of energy every time you pull up to a gas pump. It's a painful reminder that hits...

New organizational mash-ups: a cure for the convergence conundrum.
September 1, 2008... By Alison Smith In our last column, (see June 2008, The time has come for the Operations Data Warehouse ), we suggested that manufacturing operations organizations put on their IT hats--a timely tip given the airplay that the "convergence"...

To SaaS or not to SaaS.(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... By William Atkinson, contributing editor Companies have their own reasons for choosing on-demand or on-premise applications There's no doubt on-demand applications represent a viable option for many businesses, particularly start-ups...

Free space: Applimation archiving solution stores excess application data.
September 1, 2008... By Karen Dilger, contributing editor (kadilger@comcast.net) Transaction data usually remains in the application database long after its useful life. But excess data puts a strain on application performance and leads to longer response...

Kepware partnerships solidify hardware/software connectivity.
September 1, 2008... By Jim Fulcher, contributing editor (jimfulcher@comcast.net) Manufacturers need information from equipment and lines on the plant floor, but the prevalent issue that remains connectivity between hardware and software. That's where Kepware...

Hailing high speed: Midrange and desktop printers reach new heights in custom options and service.
September 1, 2008... By Frank O Smith, senior contributing editor (fosmith@thewritinggroup.com) As bar-code labeling compliance reaches deeper into the supply chain, manufacturers and distributors have more options for industrial thermal printing in solutions...

HP application modernization promises a clear path for legacy system upgrades.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Hewlett-Packard (HP) says it now has a way of steering companies onto the right path when it comes to updating legacy systems. If the methodology works as promised, it could spur a cycle of supercharging aging applications that...

Wilson Sports bats 99+ compliance with Zebra RFID technology.
September 1, 2008... By Frank O Smith, senior contributing editor (fosmith@thewritinggroup.com) When Wilson Sports moved on deck to address Wal-Mart 's call for the next round of suppliers to meet the retailer's RFID mandate, the Chicago-based sports equipment...

Safety in numbers: Supply chain networks bolster global business model.
September 1, 2008... By Hope Neal, contributing editor Does something get lost in translation when you try to communicate with your suppliers--particularly the smaller ones located halfway around the world? If so, you're not alone. As supply chains reach...

Transplace delivers useful blend of transportation software, logistics and consulting services.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Transplace is creating a compelling niche for itself as both a third-party logistics provider (3PL) and an on-demand transportation management software (TMS) vendor--a hybrid capable of delivering a custom mix of services...

Stainless strategy: Elkay taps cost-efficient, hosted BPM.
September 1, 2008... By Jean Thilmany, contributing editor (thilmanyj@gmail.com) Plumbing products maker Elkay Manufacturing Co. , considered midsize in scope, derives much the same functionality from its business performance management (BPM) solution as does a...

Web-based solution has tool set to run projects from vision to success.
September 1, 2008... By Bill Atkinson, contributing editor (w.atkinson@mchsi.com) Effective project management requires interactive updates to keep everyone on track. The key is making the process quick and easy so users can spend time working on the projects,...

Taxpayers beware: New survey reveals high price of troubled projects everywhere.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Research from project management resources provider ESI International and Independent Project Analysis (IPA), a project benchmarking company, confirms that troubled projects are costing taxpayers millions. Study findings...

Scanning platform puts documents directly into electronic workflows.
September 1, 2008... By Staff The manufacturing process generates plenty of paper--especially the engineering change order (ECO), which must be tracked and archived throughout product development and manufacturing cycles. Copying and distributing these...

ILOG expands SC network optimization to address new global realities.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Supply chain management processes gain complexity as economic and environmental concerns gain executive mindshare. "Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers traditionally turn to offshore suppliers based largely on inventory...

Collaboration, strategy, execution comprise integrated business plan.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Cross-functional planning incorporates all aspects of product strategy, network design, and financial input from each respective area. Enterprise Optimizer, an integrated business planning system from River Logic , enables...

Anti-counterfeiting system establishes mutual trust in the supply chain.
September 1, 2008... By Staff In the battle against counterfeiting, information flow between the involved legal and inspection parties usually is insufficient, resulting in ineffective countermeasures. SAP says a project code-named PROduct Verification--or...

Learning to track ROI.(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... By Malcolm Wheatley, contributing editor Data collection technologies offer true business value--if you know where to look In May 2007, Wagon Automotive discovered a serious compliance problem. An audit showed that the New Hudson,...

SAP and partners unveils energy management solution to reduce power consumption.
September 1, 2008... By Sidney Hill, Jr., executive editor (shill@reedbusiness.com) A new solution developed out of SAP 's Value Network for chemicals enables companies to better measure and consume energy by combining the SAP Manufacturing Integration and...

Green enterprise maturity model seeks to reduce carbon footprint.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Santa Rosa, Calif.-based operations consulting firm The Results Group (TRG) says its Green Enterprise Maturity Model enables companies to assess green maturity relative to their industry, set up green initiatives, and create a...

Video extends expert's reach from desktop out into the field.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Tandberg 's FieldView video device enables an expert or engineer to collaborate from a desktop with anyone in the field in need of detailed domain expertise. Similar in appearance to a 35-mm camera, FieldView combines...

MES connectivity tools track, analyze, reduce process variation.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Manuvis offers a new suite of standard integration tools, an intuitive drag-and-drop charting engine/user interface, and interactive reporting capabilities embedded within its FactoryMRI manufacturing execution system (MES) to...

Desktop options for RoHS compliance detection.
September 1, 2008... By Staff A new option is available to companies wishing to establish in-house control in testing for compliance to hazardous substance (RoHS) regulations. Skyray XRF desktop and portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers perform...

Next-gen iFIX SCADA offers reliable analytics.
September 1, 2008... By Staff GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms calls the latest release of its iFIX SCADA system a "next-generation visualization, control, and real-time information management solution" that gives users a more flexible and reliable tool for...

Nimble new product introduction: Collaboration and other myths.
September 1, 2008... By Pamela J. Gordon, lead consultant, TFI Technology Forecasters Inc. recently encountered a compelling new product introduction (NPI) scenario involving an OEM, a semiconductor company, and a printed circuit board (PCB) design firm seeking...

Caught unaware: Beijing games signal supply chain snafus ahead.
September 1, 2008... By Jean Thilmany, contributing editor (thilmanyj@gmail.com) The Chinese government's attempts to limit pollution during the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing have some U.S.-based manufacturers adjusting their supply chain strategies. ...

Group Outlook industrial survey: The bad news, and the good news.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Prime Advantage , a Chicago-based buying consortium for midsize industrial manufacturers, says findings of its Group Outlook Survey for the second half of 2008 once again place raw materials--including stainless steel, nickel,...

A "BRIC" house: Emerging multinationals pose threat to established global players.
September 1, 2008... Frank O. Smith By Frank O Smith, senior contributing editor (fosmith@thewritinggroup.com) Globalization is reshaping more than the reach of markets, according to a new study by global business consultancy Capgemini and U.K.-based...

Fit as a fiddle: Current manufacturing slump greatly exaggerated.
September 1, 2008... By Karen Dilger, contributing editor (kadilger@comcast.net) While the U.S. manufacturing downturn has dominated the news, conflicting analysis says the outlook isn't quite as pessimistic as it's being portrayed in the media. In fact, the...

Vendor consolidation: Acquisition of i2 Technologies points to supply chain market shift.
September 1, 2008... By Sidney Hill, Jr., executive editor The pending $346-million acquisition of i2 Technologies by JDA Software is a signal that supply chain management--while still an extremely important strategic function--is no longer the highly...