Feature Article

The right system: Infotainment specialist Harrman/Becker tunes global operations with MES

After successful deployments in several Asian plants—as well as a new product introduction facility in Farmington Hills, Mich.— auto infotainment system maker Harman/Becker reports it chose the right manufacturing execution system. But Harman/Becker didn't just stumble into the right solution. It referred to Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) reports for an independent assessment of which system best met its needs.
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Clear signals: SaaS approach makes performance dashboards more accessible

A new company out of Lafayette, Colo., called myDIALS, introduced in February what it says is the first hosted software solution for template-based development of interactive displays to analyze operations, production, and business metrics. Tools maker Snap-on already is rolling out the solution to 4,000 users.
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Paperless trail: Parsec automation unveils electronic audit solution

Parsec Automation Corp., a supplier of real-time performance management solutions, has released a new application that can create electronic records and signatures for all changes made to the production-related data. The solution—called AUDITTrak—will ensure a company's compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 21 CFR Part 11.
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Tips from Dow Corning: How to keep your plants well oiled and running smoothly

A frequently cited study from M.I.T. estimates that approximately $240 billion—6 to 7 percent of the U.S. gross national product—is lost due to downtime, repairs, and damaged equipment caused by poor lubrication. Phil Grellier, Dow Corning global solutions development manager, offers three tips for keeping plants well oiled and running smoothly.
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Research

A different kind of WIP: Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence Architectures Still a Work in Process

Demand for manufacturing performance visibility and enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) continues to grow, and vendors from all corners of the market have joined the fray. However, depending on where you sit within your organization, the phrase enterprise manufacturing intelligence evokes everything from production and asset performance indicators displayed as Web parts in plant-level Microsoft SharePoint portals to higher level intelligence and integration frameworks like SAP’s MII. Users get the highest returns from their EMI investments when they take an architectural approach that blends these very different applications to take full advantage of their respective strengths. AMR Research says prospective users need to recognize that achieving manufacturing performance visibility isn’t as simple as buying a one-size-fits-all software application. They should focus on roles, use cases, and the design of an information architecture that can be tapped at multiple levels to serve up what's needed by the various consumers—in a form that's easily digestible and role appropriate.
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