Manufacturing Business Technology - May 1, 2009

While scenarios for sharing design data may invoke grandiose thoughts of enhanced collaboration or disparate design center interactions, sometimes all a company really needs to do is make it easier for two engineers sitting in the same office to work together on a project. Just ask Black Diamond Equipment, a Salt Lake City-based manufacturer of climbing and skiing equipment.

• A new of wave prosperity: AT&T chairman sees mobile devices driving economic development
• Virtual commerce: Serious gaming is becoming a real business tool
• Emerging markets

• Columnists
• Viewpoint
• Social networking sites: No place to fool around

• Enterprise/Supply Chain
• Supply chains at risk: Companies tap new technology to enact smart contingency plans—inbound and outbound

• Plant Operations
• A matter of commitment

• Views From the Front
• Hot Tomato: Food supplier hopes 'recall drills' will assure customers in a real crisis
• Corporate fraud on the rise with market slowdown
• Spending lag prompts supply chain management makeovers