IT for Manufacturing Executives
A Good Read
August 31, 2010 12:16 pm | Product Releases | CommentsCognex Corporation (Natick, MA) recently unveiled the DataMan® 8000 handheld industrial ID scanner. Designed for the factory floor, it features patented IDMax® technology for reading 1D and 2D codes regardless of size, quality, printing method, or surface.
Pricing: A Reliable Competitive Advantage
August 31, 2010 10:58 am | Articles | CommentsManufacturers who use fact-based analysis to improve their pricing structures often become more agile in the industrial marketplace and find that pricing can be a reliable competitive advantage. Doug Fuehne, Vice-President of Professional Services for PROS, a business-to-business pricing software firm, recently spoke with Manufacturing Business Technology about the advantages of pricing effectively, misconceptions about pricing, and some of the technological tools out there to help manufacturers improve their pricing structure.
Automating The Bottom Line
August 31, 2010 10:54 am | Articles | CommentsManufacturers should always be looking for ways to improve processes, and accomplishing that task should be a focus shared by every member of the enterprise. Metcam is a manufacturing company located in Alpharetta, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Founded in 1989, the company specializes in custom sheet metal fabrication serving a diverse industry base including commercial HVAC, healthcare, electronics, automotive, food service, and air filtration.
The Do's And Don'ts Of Purchasing Laptops
August 31, 2010 10:48 am | Videos | CommentsThere is a wide array of questions IT professionals must ask themselves when considering the purchase of laptop computers. Much has changed in the laptop market over the course of the past few years, so here are is an updated breakdown of laptop purchasing do's and don'ts. And remember... If someone tries to sell you a laptop that weighs more than five pounds, just walk away.
Selecting Manufacturing ERP For ISO 26000 Compliance
August 31, 2010 6:07 am | by IFS | White PapersISO 26000, the new standard for corporate social responsibility is influenced heavily by the UN Global Compact. What are the implications for ERP and other enterprise software industrial companies use to run their business? APICS-certified expert Bill Leedale offers tips for selecting and configuring ERP for ISO 26000 compliance.
HP Agrees To Pay $55M Fine To Settle Kickback Claims
August 31, 2010 4:43 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Justice says Hewlett-Packard has agreed to pay $55 million to settle claims it paid kickbacks to companies so that they would recommend its products to federal agencies. Hewlett-Packard Co. has already announced earlier this month it will take a charge of 2 cents per share in the third quarter to settle the claims.
Intel Makes Push To Join Mobile Phone Market
August 31, 2010 4:42 am | by Jordan Robertson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As the world's biggest maker of computer chips, Intel Corp. can't afford to ignore its huge blind spot in mobile phones. Eighty percent of today's personal computers use Intel processors. But Intel is absent in smart phones, which are threatening PCs as gateways to the Internet.
Obama To Take Aim At China's Aluminum Export Industry
August 31, 2010 4:40 am | by Foster Klug, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Analysts say the Obama administration, under congressional pressure to take a tough stance on Chinese trade policies, is expected to declare that China unfairly helped its aluminum industry. The finding, which could spark higher import duties, was anticipated Tuesday as the White House attempts to strike a delicate balance ahead of November congressional elections that will be dominated by the weak U.
India BlackBerry Ban Averted For 60 More Days
August 31, 2010 4:37 am | by Erika Kinetz, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsMUMBAI, India (AP) — India said it withdrew a threat Monday to ban BlackBerry services for at least two more months after the device's maker, Research In Motion Ltd., agreed to give security officials "lawful access" to encrypted data. The Ministry of Home Affairs, which wants real time access to encrypted corporate e-mails and instant messaging, said in a statement it would review RIM's security proposals over the next 60 days after the Department of Telecommunications studies the feasibility of routing BlackBerry services through a server in India.
Ford Settles Lawsuit Over Employee Stock Losses
August 31, 2010 4:36 am | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. has settled a lawsuit over losses suffered by nonunion employees and retirees who held company stock in retirement accounts. The company will offer free investment advice for four years but no money will be paid except to lawyers. In a court filing Friday, lawyers for plaintiffs say Ford Motor's improved health and stock price could have helped the company win the lawsuit or defeat some claims.
Machinists Chapter Takes Issue With Pratt Layoffs
August 31, 2010 4:33 am | News | CommentsCHESHIRE, Conn. (AP) — A local chapter of the International Association of Machinists is challenging the layoffs of 38 workers at a Pratt & Whitney plant in Connecticut, in a complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board. District 26 of the union filed the complaint Monday, saying the layoffs at the Cheshire plant were retaliation for a union lawsuit that stopped Pratt from closing the facility and another plant in East Hartford.
Dude, Where's My Charger?
August 30, 2010 10:28 am | by Kedar Bhatawadekar, Product Application Engineer-Circuit Protection, Tyco Electronics | Articles | CommentsThe superabundance of techie gadgetry at your fingertips makes your heart sing, but the hectic search to find the right charger to fit your cell phone, PDA, or other handheld device makes you want to call it quits. It’s a love/hate relationship. The superabundance of techie gadgetry at your fingertips makes your heart sing, but the hectic search to find the right charger to fit your cell phone, PDA, or other handheld device makes you want to call it quits.
Food AND Fuel
August 30, 2010 10:18 am | by Luke Simpson, Associate Editor, Chem.Info | Articles | CommentsA lot of great ideas are developed by imagining a magical black box through which you can process an input to produce a desired output. A lot of great ideas are developed by imagining a magical black box through which you can process an input to produce a desired output.
GPS Technology And Your Privacy
August 30, 2010 9:45 am | Videos | CommentsAdvancements in technology have led to increased concern about the protection of people's privacy... and for good reason. For example: GPS devices and technology have been used in law enforcement applications for some time now. However, in some states, agencies can place a GPS device on a vehicle to track a person's whereabouts -- without a warrant.
Tough Computer Industry Means Deals On Equipment
August 30, 2010 5:34 am | by Jordan Robertson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — If you're looking for bargains on personal computers, bad news from the industry could be good for your pocketbook. Computer makers are scrambling for ways to goose faltering consumer demand after a weak start to the back-to-school shopping season. That could mean deeper price cuts and other promotions beyond the incentives that the industry dangled in front of shoppers to lure them into stores during the worst of the recession.
