IT for Manufacturing Executives
NetApp And Sun Microsystems Settle Patent Dispute
September 10, 2010 4:21 am | News | CommentsSUNNYVALE, Calif. (AP) — NetApp Inc. and Sun Microsystems, which was acquired by Oracle Corp. last year, have agreed to settle a three-year-old patent lawsuit. The companies, which both provide data storage equipment for corporate customers, released few details about their agreement.
Nokia Dumps CEO, Turns To Microsoft Exec
September 10, 2010 4:20 am | by Matti Huuhtanen, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsHELSINKI (AP) — Nokia Corp. is replacing CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo with top Microsoft executive Stephen Elop as the world's top handset maker aims to regain lost ground in the fiercely competitive smartphone market. Elop, head of Microsoft's business division, has held top posts at Juniper Networks Inc.
Behold, The Bloom Box
September 9, 2010 12:40 pm | Videos | CommentsLarge corporations in California have been testing a new device that can generate power on the spot, without being connected to the electric grid. They're saying it's efficient, clean, and saves them money. Will a version of this device one day power manufacturing plants across the globe? Behold, the Bloom Box.
Trade Deficit Narrows, Exports Climb
September 9, 2010 6:52 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The trade deficit narrowed significantly in July as exports climbed to the highest level in nearly two years, reflecting big gains in sales of U.S.-made airplanes and other manufactured goods while imports declined. The July deficit fell 14 percent to $42.8 billion, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
New U.S. Jobless Claims See Steep Decline
September 9, 2010 6:51 am | by Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in two months, an encouraging sign that companies aren't resorting to deeper layoffs even as the economy has lost momentum. The Labor Department reported Thursday that new claims for unemployment aid plunged last week by a seasonally adjusted 27,000 to 451,000.
Apple Publishes Guidelines For App Approval
September 9, 2010 6:50 am | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Apple Inc. gave software developers on Thursday the guidelines it uses to determine which programs can be sold in its App Store, yet it reserved for itself broad leeway in deciding what makes the cut. The move follows more than two years of complaints from developers about the company's secret and seemingly capricious rules, which block some programs from the store and hence Apple's popular iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices.
Ten Warning Signs That Your ERP System Is Killing Your Business
September 8, 2010 1:21 pm | by Plex Systems | White PapersSelectingan ERP system means success or failure to a manufacturer’s overall performance. These ten questions move you toward success.
Google Offers Free Phone Calls
September 8, 2010 8:45 am | Videos | CommentsIn an effort to compete with Skype, Google now offers Gmail users the opportunity to call someone via their computer. Domestic calls can be made for free, while international phone calls cost only a few cents. What makes this technology desirable for some is that no additional software needs to be installed.
What To Make Of Apple's Latest Offerings
September 8, 2010 8:28 am | Videos | CommentsApple has announced updates to its three iPod models -- Nano, Shuffle, and Touch. Furthermore, the tech giant redesigned Apple TV in an effort to make a less expensive, more attractive option for tech consumers. So what should tech consumers make of these redesigned Apple offerings? If you're having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
What SaaS Can Do For You
September 8, 2010 8:26 am | by Plex Systems | Videos | CommentsWhy should manufacturers consider purchasing and implementing a SaaS solution? Mark Symonds, President and Chief Executive Officer for Plex Systems Inc., answers that question and explains what specific areas of a manufacturing enterprise can benefit from the implementation of a SaaS solution. If you're having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
BMW's Mid-Life Crisis
September 8, 2010 8:24 am | Videos | CommentsMuch like many other manufacturing enterprises, German automaker BMW is trying to deal with an ever-aging workforce. According to a recent study, Americans over the age of 65 will make up roughly 16 percent of the U.S. population in the next 10 years. An aging workforce, coupled with the decline of young people who pursue careers in the manufacturing indistry, forced BMW to get creative.
HP Sues Ex-CEO Hurd Over $950K Job At Oracle
September 8, 2010 4:34 am | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hewlett-Packard Co. is suing former CEO Mark Hurd to stop him from taking a job at rival Oracle Corp. The complaint filed Tuesday in a California state court comes a day after Oracle hired Hurd as co-president to help lead the database software maker as it tries to muscle in on more of HP's turf.
Boeing Cuts Jobs In Military Unit
September 8, 2010 4:31 am | News | CommentsST. LOUIS (AP) — Boeing is slimming down its military aircraft business and cutting workers as the government moves to cut defense spending. The airplane manufacturer will consolidate six divisions of the business into four. Boeing Co. will cut jobs, starting with 10 percent of the group's executives.
Chinese Plants Idled So Energy-Saving Targets Are Met
September 8, 2010 4:30 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Chinese steel mills and mobile phone factories are being idled and thousands of homes in one area are doing without electricity as local governments order power cuts to meet energy-saving targets set by Beijing. Rolling blackouts and enforced power cuts are affecting key industrial areas.
Kia CEO Resigns After 100,000 Vehicles Recalled
September 8, 2010 4:28 am | by Kelly Olsen, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The top executive at Kia Motors has resigned after the company recalled more than 100,000 vehicles worldwide over defective wiring, the automaker said Tuesday. Chung Sung-eun, vice chairman and CEO of South Korea's No. 2 automaker, stepped down on Friday, according to company spokesman Michael Choo.
