Manufacturing Business Technology - February 1, 2008

A division of London-based Rexam, an $8-billion packaging manufacturer with 24,000 employees and operations in 20 countries, the business had invested heavily in automating its 17 North American beverage can plants, which supplied cans to customers such as Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola. A single instance of SAP's R/3 enterprise application suite linked the plants to the administrative processes ...

• Columnists
• Back Talk
• Sidney Hill, Jr.: Oracle changes tactics, but not intent
• In Perspective
• Cindy Jutras: Have we entered the era of disposable ERP?
• Alison Smith: 2008 will be the year of the perfect storm for manufacturing operations
• Up Front
• Kevin Parker: Gauging the changing nature of change

• Computing Infrastructure
• Network acceleration cures congestion for pharma supplier
• Data storage growth now a pressing issue for mid-tier manufacturers
• Three-in-one combination mobile tablet eases operator setup, data integration
• Industrial wireless: Driving connectivity beyond the office

• Enterprise/Supply Chain
• Lean beacon: German industrial giant pioneers Toyota-style initiative; SAP integration to follow
• Pharmaceutical industry shows progress with demand-driven model; more work to be done
• Supplier networks offer more than just reduced prices
• Supply chain redesign gives Volvo CE options in after-sales service

• Plant Operations
• As energy consumption goes strategic, new programs target efficiency
• Market moves of Siemens, Rockwell quicken digital manufacturing drum beat
• Enterprise asset management secures a foothold in software user group agendas

• Product Engineering
• Rich retrieval: Autodesk, Google, Microsoft simplify CAD file search
• When worlds connect: IBM sees potential for IM, virtual role playing in PLM processes
• Embrace the role and value of master data management
• CAD data finds new use in manufacturing supply chain, support organizations
• Design-to-cost tool raises dividends for aerial platform maker JLG

• View From the Front
• Adobe technology makes MFG.com an easier place to buy, sell goods
• China's surge as steel exporter linked to trade-distorting energy subsidies
• PTC unveils new version of Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, plans for CoCreate