IT for Manufacturing Executives
The New 'Blue Collar'
August 20, 2010 11:22 am | Videos | CommentsOne South Carolina-based plant has combined the roles of programmer, machinist, and quality control engineer into one position. Adex Machining Technologies has taken a high-tech approach to manufacturing, where employees spend as much time in the office as they do in the plant. Meet the new "blue collar" workers.
Safety First
August 20, 2010 6:29 am | Product Releases | CommentsOmron Scientific Technologies (Fremont, CA) introduces the G9SP programmable safety controllers for a variety of applications. Three base models with a range of I/O options and four types of expansion I/O units are available for hard-wired diagnosis or standard signals.
Economic Indicators See Small Rise In July
August 20, 2010 5:20 am | by Tali Arbel, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — A private research group said its gauge of future economic activity edged up in July, suggesting growth will be sluggish for the rest of the year. The Conference Board said Thursday that its index of leading economic indicators rose 0.1 percent last month after dropping 0.
Labor Department: Layoffs Are Back
August 20, 2010 4:32 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Layoffs are back, and that's bad news for the fragile economic recovery. New applications for unemployment benefits hit a nine-month high last week — a spike that suggests private employers may shed jobs this month for the first time this year. Workers are losing construction jobs in Georgia and manufacturing jobs in Indiana.
U.S. Warns Of Chinese Cyber Attacks Against Businesses
August 20, 2010 4:31 am | by Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. for the first time is publicly warning about the Chinese military's use of civilian computer experts in clandestine cyber attacks aimed at American companies and government agencies. In a move that is being seen as a pointed signal to Beijing, the Pentagon laid out its concerns this week in a carefully worded report.
Caterpillar CEO: Manufacturing Is On The Rise
August 20, 2010 4:28 am | by Josh Funk, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsCaterpillar Inc. officials said Thursday they don't expect a double-dip recession because the world's central banks haven't made major errors and the economy has been improving throughout 2010, especially in the developing world. New CEO Doug Oberhelman and other executives met with analysts in New York and discussed the opportunities ahead for the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment.
U.S. Government Deficit To Exceed $11.3 Trillion
August 20, 2010 4:26 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) -- This year's U.S. government deficit will exceed $1.3 trillion, Congress' official budget analysts projected Thursday in a report underscoring election year perils both parties face as they struggle to balance conflicting demands to trim budget shortfalls, spark the economy and cut taxes.
Workplace Dealths Reach Lowest Level Since '92
August 20, 2010 4:25 am | by Sam Hananel, Associated Press Writer </p> | News | Commentsby Sam Hananel, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of workers who died on the job fell by 17 percent last year to the lowest level in nearly two decades, as workers logged fewer hours during the recession, the Labor Department said Thursday. The 4,340 workplace fatalities recorded in 2009 was the smallest total since the Bureau of Labor Statistics first began tracking the data in 1992.
Consider The Total Cost Of Cloud Solutions
August 19, 2010 12:03 pm | by Dylan Persaud, Managing Director, Eval-Source | Articles | CommentsThere are a number of benefits to implementing enteprise software systems into a manufacturing enterprise, but the total cost of ownership must be understood before the investment is made. Cloud software is all the buzz right now and vendors are rolling out new offerings extremely quickly.
Exports Go Green
August 19, 2010 11:59 am | by Amanda Earing, Manufacturing.net | Articles | CommentsSmall to medium-sized manufacturers must understand how to capitalize on foreign demand for clean technology products. Between the U.S. Recovery Act, which included funding to stimulate training for high, tech, green manufacturing jobs and the National Export Initiative, the U.S. government has a strong interest in companies looking to export clean technology products to India and China.
Double-Dip Drama
August 19, 2010 10:53 am | Videos | CommentsIs the United States doomed to experience a double-dip recession? One expert, Fortune editor Shawn Tully, believes it's very unlikely. He states that the economy will recover, but that the recovery process is going to be very slow. Furthermore, some economists are worried whether a tremendous buildup of U.
Conditioned To Provide Power
August 19, 2010 7:22 am | Product Releases | CommentsPepperl+Fuchs (Twinsburg, OH) introduces the VAN-KE2-2PE two-network AS-Interface power conditioner. A panel-mount power conditioner, it can enable two AS-Interface networks to be operated from a single DC power supply. That enables users to power a dual network gateway, both segments before and after a repeater, and both segments after a set of two repeaters.
Intel Buys McAfee For $7.68 Billion
August 19, 2010 6:27 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Intel Corp. said Thursday it is buying computer-security software maker McAfee Inc. for $7.68 billion as the chip-maker adds to its arsenal of tools to serve an increasing array of Internet-connected devices, including mobile phones. The $48-per-share price represents a 60 percent premium over McAfee's Wednesday close of $29.
Grim U.S. Economic News Hits World Markets
August 19, 2010 6:26 am | by Pan Pylas, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsLONDON (AP) — European and U.S. stock markets slid Thursday after another batch of disappointing U.S. economic data stoked fears that the world's largest economy could be heading back into recession. The dollar was back under pressure and heading towards a fresh 15-year low against the Japanese yen.
HP Conducts Search For New CEO
August 19, 2010 6:25 am | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hewlett-Packard Co. says it has hired executive-search firm Spencer Stuart to lead the hunt for a new CEO to replace Mark Hurd. The job is coveted because of HP's role as the world's largest technology company. It is also troubled: Hurd and his predecessor, Carly Fiorina, were both forced out in public dispute with the board of directors.
