Manufacturing Business Technology

• Lessons in sustainability
  
  Renee Robbins, November 3, 2009
    As one of the few remaining large textile manufacturers in the U.S., Mount Vernon Mills has long been recognized for its industry leading environmental initiatives that meet or exceed regulatory requirements. Its programs also extend to helping its customers comply with regulations.
  
• IBM consulting service tracks environmental standards, safety, cost, performance
  
  , November 3, 2009
    New IBM Sustainable Supplier Information Management services seek to eliminate waste.
  
• Harting says Fast Track Ethernet Switching augments automation IT performance
  
  , November 3, 2009
    Standard Ethernet IEEE 802.3 networks and Harting Fast Track Switching help automation IT by giving automation priority over other Ethernet messaging, company says.
  
• PTT Chemicals implements i2 supply chain planning solutions
  
  , November 2, 2009
    i2 Technologies says PTT Chemicals, one of the largest producers of petrochemicals in Asia, used i2 software to reduce inventory 30% and improved visibility, in a 15 month effort involving multiple PTT entities (including logistics, manufacturing, marketing) and spanned demand planning, master planning, production scheduling and order promising.
  
• Manage inventories carefully during economic restart, says Zebra Technologies
  
  , November 2, 2009
    As manufacturers ramp up production during economic recovery, they need to ensure they do not create too much inventory, says Zebra Technologies Corp., which designs and manufactures products and solutions to identify, track, and manage assets, transactions, and people.
  
• How to manufacture a 5S program for your facility
  
  Mark T. Hoske, October 28, 2009
    Changing processes in a lean, consistent way can improve workflow, quality, attitudes, and safety, according to S&C Electric Co. experiences.
  
• AVG Technologies and Tom Ridge: How to fight cyber security threats
  
  , October 28, 2009
    Manufacturing IT can benefit from cyber security tips, suggests AVG Technologies, which offers various software security packages for businesses.
  
• Faster KPI views needed, says MESA metrics study
  
  , October 28, 2009
    Business value of production metrics confirmed at MESA Europe Conference.
  
• i2 Factory Planner improves user experience, increases planner productivity
  
  , October 27, 2009
    i2 Factory Planner version 6.3.4 maximizes schedule adherence, reduces lead times, lowers inventory, and reduces overtime and premium shipments.
  
• Autodesk announces support for Windows 7
  
  Renee Robbins, October 27, 2009
    Effective immediately, Autodesk is supporting customers using nine products, including AutoCAD 2010, AutoCAD LT 2010 and the Autodesk Inventor 2010 family of software, on the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.
  
• PARTsolutions 3D CAD technology is on a roll at Hamilton Caster
  
  , October 27, 2009
    Hamilton Caster uses PARTsolutions' technology, embedding 3D CAD designs into an online parts catalog, expanding a 3-year partnership, according to PARTsolutions.
  
• Apriso: Enterprise approach to quality management cuts manufacturers' cost of quality
  
  , October 27, 2009
    With Apriso, manufacturers can embed the execution of quality processes across manufacturing operations for an easier, more cost-effective, closed-loop, enterprise approach to quality management.
  
• Dassault Systèmes to acquire IBM's product lifecycle management organization
  
  Sidney Hill, October 27, 2009
    Dassault is making a major change in the way it sells its product lifecycle management software, announcing its intention to purchase the IBM organization that has been selling and supporting Dassault software for more than 20 years.
  
• Manufacturers seek supply chain sustainability, carbon use reductions
  
  , October 26, 2009
    Transplace: Efficient strategies help customers and suppliers establish sustainable operations practices.
  
• Holistic trade: Eliminate redundancy, share info electronically
  
  , October 26, 2009
    American Association of Exporters and Importers promotes holistic approach to trade, identification of risks, and harmonized use of electronically shared information.
  
• Oracle announces new mobile, social enhancements for CRM On Demand
  
  Renee Robbins, October 22, 2009
    CRM software help users collaborate with colleagues and customers, complete frequent tasks while out in the field, and close deals more quickly while on the road. For example, users can capture impressions immediately after a meeting via their Blackberry, rather than risk losing specific details.
  
• Supply chain complexity hampers medical device company operations, compliance
  
  Renee Robbins, October 22, 2009
    A survey of medical device industry professionals reveals insufficient systems for complying with industry mandates and maintaining supplier quality. Nearly 60 percent of respondents reported that they had not begun preparing for the electronic medical device reporting mandate (eMDR), which requires automated submission of post-market adverse events.
  
• Risk Study: Manufacturers more worried about recovery than recession
  
  Renee Robbins, October 22, 2009
    According to an AMR Research study, 44 percent of respondents believe the recovery cycle is the biggest risk in 2010 because of potential commodity price increases, limited internal skills after workforce reductions, and problems meeting new demand with constrained capacity, low inventory, and transportation constraints; only 23 percent are worried that the recession will continue, resulting in weak customer demand.
  
• People management even more essential as skills gap widens
  
  Renee Robbins, October 22, 2009
    According to a new study, many of today's most profitable manufacturers assign a higher importance to implementing people management practices than to increasing customer service orientation. These leading organizations are taking proactive steps to attract, retain and develop their employees and others can and should do the same.
  
• Demand management during an economic downturn
  
  Milind Patil, October 21, 2009
    Lack of a clear step-by-step procedure for supply chain management is hampering its goal of providing seamless integration across the business network. Demand management is most important.