Manufacturing Business Technology - August 1, 2008

International Paint was experiencing the kind of problem a manufacturer would love to have. An operating unit of Netherlands-based Akzo Nobel, the company was running its Houston-based plant full-tilt with three shifts, but needed more capacity to handle the growing business. The question was whether to expand, or find new means to improve productivity.

• Columnists
• Sidney Hill, Jr.: Real innovation makes life easier
• In Perspective
• Julie Fraser: Close the loop between planning and execution
• Ed Miller: Industry spotlight: Executives discovering value of PLM software

• Computing Infrastructure
• Platform as a service: Kerry Group extends enterprise apps into the cloud

• Enterprise/Supply Chain
• Beyond documents: Trade management moves to the financial side of the street
• Unplanned events: Rolling with the punches is the vital component in S&OP
• Oco on-demand business intelligence solution smartens up SMB market

• Innovation Insight Awards Process Category
• Invensys Process Systems Global Consulting: Energy producer creates method for responding to market swings
• Co-winners Qualcomm and Motorola: A whole new angle
• Advanced Technology Services: Plant technicians move from memory reliance to knowledge database advantage
• Apriso: Operations execution system raises Volvo CE to global enterprise status
• Exact Software: Business analytics solution soothes international growing pains for Alltech Biotechnology

• Innovation Insight Awards Product Category
• Rockwell Automation/Cisco Systems: Customer needs pave Ethernet's way from factory floor to executive suite
• ILS Technology: Equipment data finds its way into enterprise systems via automation appliance
• Right Hemisphere: Graphics management platform makes a picture worth a thousand simulations for Bell Helicopter
• Co-winners Honeywell and Emerson: Solving the hard problems

• Plant Operations
• Job scheduling/planning system integration yields profitable unattended operations
• The writing on the wall: Your 10-year road map for environmental innovation and trends

• Product Engineering
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers use PLM to swallow bitter regulatory pill
• Open innovation: NineSigma uncovers solutions to the tough engineering problems
• Design contest proves CAD software accelerates the innovation process

• Special Report
• Emerging Technology
• The code in the machine

• Views From the Front
• Business requirement: Be SAS-70 saavy
• Lean and green: Benefits automation system unearths more value from ERP
• Tips for financing in tight times