Manufacturing Business Technology - September 1, 2008

Does something get lost in translation when you try to communicate with your suppliers—particularly the smaller ones located halfway around the world? If so, you're not alone. As supply chains reach farther, manufacturers may struggle to effectively collaborate with vendors and business partners.

• Columnists
• In Perspective
• Alison Smith: New organizational mash-ups: a cure for the convergence conundrum
• Cindy Jutras: Energy costs have consumers and manufacturers looking twice at location
• Viewpoint
• Sidney Hill, Jr.: Let's talk supply chain management, or whatever else is on your mind

• Computing Infrastructure
• To SaaS or not to SaaS
• Kepware partnerships solidify hardware/software connectivity
• Free space: Applimation archiving solution stores excess application data
• Wilson Sports bats 99+ compliance with Zebra RFID technology
• HP application modernization promises a clear path for legacy system upgrades
• Printing Technology Update
• Hailing high speed: Midrange and desktop printers reach new heights in custom options and service

• Enterprise/Supply Chain
• Scanning platform puts documents directly into electronic workflows
• Taxpayers beware: New survey reveals high price of troubled projects everywhere
• Web-based solution has tool set to run projects from vision to success
• Transplace delivers useful blend of transportation software, logistics and consulting services
• Stainless strategy: Elkay taps cost-efficient, hosted BPM
• ILOG expands SC network optimization to address new global realities

• Plant Operations
• Green enterprise maturity model seeks to reduce carbon footprint
• SAP and partners unveils energy management solution to reduce power consumption
• Learning to track ROI

• Product Engineering
• Now we’re talking: Survey reveals major adoption of virtual collaboration technology
• New version of CATIA helps satellite maker meet strict project deadline
• Farnborough Air Show features advances in products and PLM
• Nimble new product introduction: Collaboration and other myths
• Nimble new product introduction: Collaboration and other myths

• Views From the Front
• Caught unaware: Beijing games signal supply chain snafus ahead
• Fit as a fiddle: Current manufacturing slump greatly exaggerated
• Vendor consolidation: Acquisition of i2 Technologies points to supply chain market shift
• Group Outlook industrial survey: The bad news, and the good news
• A “BRIC” house: Emerging multinationals pose threat to established global players