Manufacturing Business Technology

• Group Outlook: Raw materials, energy expenses are top of mind for SMEs
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 27, 2008
  Chicago-based Prime Advantage, a buying consortium for small and midsize enterprises (SME), says costs for raw materials and energy have been the top concerns of manufacturing executives in this sector during the early part of 2008.
  
  
  
  
• A slap in the wallet: EU imposes record fine for Microsoft’s “unfair benefits”
  
  Deutche Press-Agentur, February 27, 2008
  The European Union hit Microsoft with an 899-million euro (1.34 billion U.S. dollars) fine on Wednesday, alleging that the company has ignored the EU’s long-standing request to provide competitors key software at a fair price.
  
• FPC advisory: Manufacturers need to plan now for 76 million boomer retirements 
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 27, 2008
  New York-based FPC (F-O-R-T-U-N-E Personnel Consultants) says manufacturers are ill prepared for the the massive baby boomer retirement wave expected in the next five years. "The mass retirement wouldn't be so bad if there were enough people coming into the workforce," says Ron Herzog, CEO and president, FPC.
  
  
• MCA Solutions launches on-demand service parts planning
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 27, 2008
  MCA says OnDemand can be up and running in as little as 30 days after receipt of data—said to be faster than any other service parts planning solution on the market.
  
• A note of caution: IBM exec says growth of India’s IT industry raises security risks
  
  Press Trust of India, February 25, 2008
  As India vies to beocme the world's most favored IT hub, companies in that country need to be aware of security risks, particularly "internal attacks" generated by the "insiders", a top IBM official says. 
  
• Remote connections: New Motorola architecture enables central management of wireless LANs
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 25, 2008
  The Enterprise Mobility business of Motorola Inc. has unveiled new access points that allow for extending wireless LAN (WLAN) coverage to branch offices and other remote sites without adding new networking equipment or IT staff at those locations.
  
• Global campaigns: HP and Dell competing for title of “greenest computer maker”
  
  Opinion, Butler Group, February 25, 2008
  For several years, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Dell have battled fiercely for the top spot in the personal computer market, where HP currently holds a slight lead. Now these two industry giants are engaged in a war of words over which is the more environmentally friendly company.
  
  
• Analyst report: Use of business intelligence does not match the hype
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 25, 2008
  The manner in which companies are using business intelligence (BI) technology does not exactly match the picture painted by vendors and other industry experts. That’s the conclusion from a survey of more than 1,900 BI users and consultants conducted by the Business Application Research Center, a software industry analyst firm based in Germany.
  
  
• Boeing chooses MSC.Software simulation tools
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 25, 2008
  The agreement adds new technology from MSC.Software’s SimEnterprise solutions, including a multidiscipline solver technology.
  
• ERP specialist Deacom joins personal products council
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 25, 2008
  PCPC holds 600 member companies, and is considered a leading voice on scientific, legal, regulatory, legislative, and international issues for the personal care product industry.
  
• Skillful solution: Fieldglass supports all types of human capital acquisition
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 25, 2008
  What is said to be the first unified technology platform for acquiring all forms of human capital, including contingent workers, service providers, and direct hires is available now from Fieldglass.
  
• Infotainment specialist Harman/Becker tunes up global operations with Visiprise MES
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 25, 2008
  
  
• Rapid PLM: Dassault targets midmarket with “express” version of ENOVIA SmartTeam
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 22, 2008
  Dassault Systèmes has introduced an easy-to-install product life-cycle management solution tailored for medium-size companies. This is a departure from Dassault’s history of catering primarily to top-tier manufacturing organizations. 
  
  
• A time saver: Sony shrinks vehicle development cycles with 3D CAD software
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 22, 2008
  Sony’s Professional Services Division  greatly reduced the time it takes to produce custom-made outside broadcast  vehicles by automating its design process using the Pro/ENGINEER 3D CAD software suite from PTC.
  
• An unspoiled ride: Bike that cleans water wins pedal-powered product design contest
  
  Karen Dilger, contributing editor, February 22, 2008
  Environmentalists have long advocated bicycle commuting as a way of reducing the harmful emissions from automobiles. But the winners of an innovative product design contest have developed a prototype for bicycle that also combats water pollution.
  
• Exploring new dimensions: Manufacturers finding many practical uses for 3D CAD models
  
  Kenneth Wong, contributing editor, February 22, 2008
  Interactive product manuals developed by Logicom might bring out the handyman in you. In the repair manual for a boiler, the program guides you through the intricate wirework and mechanical layouts of the device in animated steps, visually directing you to the critical springs and control panels. This is just one example of the practical uses some forward-thinking manufacturers are finding for 3D CAD data. 
  
  
• Global response: Vendor alliance blends logistics and trade management capabilities
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 20, 2008
  JDA Software Group, Inc. says an alliance with a supplier of trade management applications has produced a solution that will help companies get the most out of their globalization strategies.
  
• Functionality on demand: Glovia adds inventory management module to GSInnovate
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 20, 2008
  Glovia Services Inc. has added an inventory management module to its on-demand enterprise software suite. 
  The new solution—GSInnovate Inventory Edition—integrates seamlessly and complements current ERP and manufacturing systems and applications, according to Jim Errington, director of sales support for Glovia Services.
  
  
• Billing accuracy: New WMS module allocates costs to individual customers
  
  By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 20, 2008
  HighJump Software, a provider of supply chain execution solutions, has unveiled an application that allows third-party logistics providers (3PL) to improve billing accuracy by capturing charges on a client-by-client basis.
  
  
• Windows on the road: Microsoft Auto becoming entertainment platform for more cars 
  
  Sarah A. Webster, Detroit Free Press, February 20, 2008
    Microsoft Corp. plans to announce another deal with a major automaker to use its Microsoft Auto operating system by the end of the year. The global software giant already has two deals worldwide, including one to power Ford's popular Sync wireless hands-free communication and entertainment system.