Manufacturing Industry White Papers & Research | IndustryWeek

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Manufacturing Roundups

ERP- Going Mobile to Work Where You Do
Manufacturing's evolving workforce has introduced both challenges and opportunities to the manufacturing industry. With the increasing penetration of smartphones and tablets in the workplace, manufacturers are seeking ways to leverage their newly-connected workers to enhance the impact of the enterprise network and adapt to the needs of its employees and customers. Download this free ebook now to learn how deploying mobile collaboration technologies adds unparalleled value. Read Now!

Demand-driven Forecasting and Planning: Take Demand Responsiveness to the Next Level

The results are in – and they’re striking. Nearly 90% of manufacturers say their revenue would jump by up to 10% if they had better demand forecasts. The obvious questions: With all that revenue at stake, why don’t they have more accurate forecasts? What are they doing about it? And what can you learn to improve your own?

This free report, Demand-Driven Forecasting and Planning details how companies are using more advanced ways of forecasting to identify demand changes faster. And it puts hard numbers on the benefits: increased sales, reduced inventory and better service. It’s time to really work on sensing and shaping customer demand. Read Now!

Current white papers

- White Paper
  
  The Rise of Mobile Access to Your ERP Data
  
  Today, with how advanced technology has become, manufacturers need to stay in control—even on the go. With mobile user access to ERP, it allows businesses to push past their competitors and access their priorities whenever and wherever they are. View this whitepaper to learn how incorporating modern mobile ERP provides a measurable influence on quality and efficiency for manufacturers....More
- White Paper
  
  Mobile Applications Add Flexibility for Manufacturing
  
  As competition grows, it is vital to not only decrease time-wastage, but to also increase profitability, efficiency, and positive customer relations. As mobile access grows, the benefits that manufacturers can achieve are game-changing. With real-time updates and on-hand access, mobility provides huge advantages for manufacturers. View this whitepaper to see how manufacturers utilize mobility, and what to ask before investing....More
- Dec 18, 2014
  
  Article
  
  Quality in Manufacturing: A Compilation of IndustryWeek Editorial Content
  
  Brought to you by IndustryWeek in partnership with SAS, this eBook is a compilation of IndustryWeek Editorial Content from World Quality Day. Download now!...More
- White Paper
  
  Essentials of the Connected Enterprise
  
  Today’s production systems already throw off data at an unprecedented rate. But the sheer volume of data—coming as it does from isolated, disparate sources...More
- White Paper
  
  Harnessing the Potential of the Industrial Cloud
  
  Commercial technologies like cloud, mobility and big data are quickly migrating onto facility floors, and driving industrial companies towards an inflection point where their value proposition surpasses the complexities involved in implementing them. Recognizing the broad industrial potentia...More
- White Paper
  
  Unlocking the Promise of Demand Sensing and Shaping Through Big Data Analytics
  
  At the core of demand and supply alignment is an organization’s ability to acquire, interpret and use data that improves a decision maker’s vantage point and that supports profitability and growth. Find out how to apply high-performance analytics in your supply-chain....More
- White Paper
  
  See the Possibilities with Data Visualization
  
  Quickly Visualize Data on Mobile Devices and the Web Today, all organizations – regardless of their size – are inundated with data. It pours in from every conceivable direction: from operational and transactional systems, from scanning and facilities management systems, from inbound and outbound customer contact points, from mobile media and the Web. It is structured and unstructured; it is messy and overwhelming, flowing in at greater speeds than ever....More
- Sponsored
  
  Revolutionizing Manufacturing with 3D Printing: An Introduction
  
  With traditional manufacturing methods, it’s not practical to manufacture a single item or short run of products – it’s simply too expensive. But what if there was a way to fill those needs for far less expense?...More
- Sponsored
  
  Key Considerations for Operationalizing the Connected Industrial Enterprise
  
  How do you move from discussing and theorizing your connected enterprise to rationalizing and operationalizing it? Many factors need to be considered as you journey from concept to completion....More
- White Paper
  
  Creating connected manufacturing operations in the Internet of Things
  
  The next paradigm shift in manufacturing is towards connecting manufacturing operations across the value chain. To do so, organizations will not only need to connect their plant equipment and supply chain, but also their demand chain....More
- White Paper
  
  Design Considerations for Securing Industrial Automation and Control System Networks
  
  The industrial control system represents the heart of production, and the security of information used for control, configuration and monitoring is critical...More
- White Paper
  
  4th Annual IDC Change in the (Supply) Chain
  
  UPS knows being a good partner means delivering more for its customers than just packages and pallets. That’s why UPS provides logistics solutions and key insights for various industries....More
- White Paper
  
  Mastering the Gemba Walk
  
  Take a few minutes to review the principles behind the Gemba Walk – a walk that leaders and teams take to see what is going on in the gemba, or “real place.” Understand its connection with leader standard work and learn some tips to help you launch an effective gemba walk practice for yourself and your organization....More
- White Paper
  
  Designing a New ERP
  
  A surprising proportion of ERP implementations in operation today were purchased by managers with worries about the Y2K bug in the late 1990s. This paper discusses how the rapid rate of change in technology, business and culture requires forward-looking ERP solutions that don’t shackle your business to the past, but prepare you for the future....More
- White Paper
  
  From Why to Why Not: Top 5 Risks of Delaying a Move to the Cloud
  
  Attitudes toward cloud are rapidly changing, and discussions about the potential downsides of cloud deployment are quickly evolving into evaluations of the risks associated with not making the move. Take a look at 5 risks you face by not moving to the cloud....More
- White Paper
  
  The Connected Enterprise Maturity Model
  
  How ready is your company to connect people, processes, and technologies for bigger profits?...More
- White Paper
  
  IDC’s The Future of Manufacturing Report
  
  You've heard the analysts and blogging pundits point to the manufacturing industry and expound on the new technologies reinvigorating the outlook for growth. This is the definitive whitepaper on where the manufacturing industry is going, how IT solutions support the endeavor and the journey you need to take to adapt and thrive. Download your free copy now!...More
- White Paper
  
  5 Key Factors in Optimizing Complex Manufacturing Business
  
  As products, customer demands and global market pressures increase, manufacturing processes are also becoming more complex. In a recent survey, nearly 90 percent of manufacturing executives named complexity as one of the top three issues to be addressed. This whitepaper provides insights on complexity and five ways modern ERP solutions help you streamline and simplify processes....More
- White Paper
  
  Stepping Up: How the CFOs of professional service firms are moving beyond traditional finance roles to support business strategy, execution and growth.
  
  This IndustryWeek management briefing examines how a growing number of CFOs and finance departments are taking business partnership roles in professional service firms....More
- White Paper
  
  Network and Security Services Because Infrastructure Matters
  
  Manufacturing Convergence – merging IT and manufacturing systems – has created the need for existence and interoperability between what were traditionally separate functions and systems...More
- White Paper
  
  In-House or Outsource?: Six Business Advantages of Owning an In-House 3D Printer
  
  The benefits of 3D printing and rapid prototyping are numerous and well recognized. Whether it’s design validation, functional testing or faster launch of new products, executives seldom need to be to be convinced of the benefits. Still, many businesses continue to outsource 3D printing because they believe ownership is cost prohibitive....More
- White Paper
  
  Research Study: Strategic Finance Gap
  
  Finance professionals are increasingly expected to play a more strategic role by providing reporting and monitoring to measure success, identify risks, and support global expansion and M&A. In "The Strategic Finance Gap," based on a survey of 334 finance professionals in the U.S., U.K. and Australia, Loudhouse Research examines finance's struggles to make a more strategic impact including the technology and process obstacles holding them back....More
- White Paper
  
  Top 10 Recommendations for Plantwide EtherNet/IP Deployments
  
  With cyber security and network performance at the forefront, follow a plan to help ensure the best industrial network design for your plant...More
- White Paper
  
  5 Practical Tips to Protect Trade Secrets
  
  Your sensitive and proprietary intellectual property is already under attack. Foreign governments, cyber criminals, competitors and disgruntled insiders all threaten disclosure of your valuable trade secrets....More
- White Paper
  
  Case Study: Troy Design and Manufacturing Company
  
  Troy Design & Manufacturing Company is on the cutting edge of innovation, especially with its implementation of RFID. TDM uses Motorola RFID solutions to automatically track and verify every step of its vehicle conversions in real time — from receipt to completion....More
- White Paper
  
  Physical Security Helps IT and OT Managers Improve Productivity and OEE
  
  Unlike the security methods of old that rely on isolation, a properly designed physical security platform unleashes the value of the Internet of Things in aggregating information from people, processes, data and things...More
- White Paper
  
  Optimization of Process Integration
  
  Optimization of process integration (OPI™) enables a unified communication solution comprising standard unmodified Ethernet and Internet technologies that use EtherNet/IP in combination...More
- White Paper
  
  Wireless Design Considerations for Industrial Applications
  
  Wireless communication in the industrial market has been practiced for many years, often targeted at point-to-point data transfer for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) purposes...More
- White Paper
  
  Are You Ready to Migrate Your Control Platform?
  
  Several years ago, the ARC Advisory Group published a white paper, "Automation System Migration for Increased Manufacturing Productivity." At that time, it was estimated that more than $65 billion worth...More
- White Paper
  
  Five Signs QB is Failing Your Business
  
  Top 5 signs your business has reached the limits of QuickBooks. In this white paper, we draw on the real-life stories of high-growth businesses that have converted to NetSuite from QuickBooks at critical junctures in their business development. You will find mentions of business process inefficiencies that you might see reflected in your own business: the telltale signs that your business has bumped into the limits of QuickBooks or perhaps, has already outgrown QuickBooks....More
- White Paper
  
  IMA: Evolving Role of The Controller
  
  This IMA research report provides insights into key trends that are shaping the finance function. Based on a survey of 567 finance executives, the IMA report lets you benchmark your evolving responsibilities and influence against the industry at large....More
- White Paper
  
  Outlook for U.S. Manufacturers for 2014 and beyond
  
  A recent benchmark study fielded to the IndustryWeek audience found several key ways successful mid-market manufacturers are staying ahead of the curve. Optimism and growth plans are driving their agendas, and cloud computing is one of the tools manufacturing leaders are using to set themselves up for success....More
- White Paper
  
  Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
  
  Rockwell Automation is honored to have actively contributed to the development of the Cybersecurity Framework that will help address cyber risks to critical infrastructure and manufacturing processes alike...More
- White Paper
  
  How OEM engineering leaders can create and scale a "future-ready" competitive edge
  
  The demands only keep mounting for leaders in industrial OEM (Original equipment manufacturers). To viably compete, they must contain costs and protect margins. When these demands exceed the bandwidth of in-house experts, OEM companies risk results that diminish company value. The good news is that engineering leaders at many OEM companies avert these risks—and successfully build and scale a ‘future-ready” competitive advantage— by using advanced delivery models for support services. This combines leaders’ strategic vision with efficient, cohesive processes in ‘industrialized’ engineering support operations....More
- White Paper
  
  Helping industrial manufacturing companies outperform through right operating models for support functions
  
  Industrial manufacturing faces significant challenges - cost and margin, supply-chain, pressure from competitors, evolving technology, and stricter regulatory guidelines. To keep pace will require an evolution of current operating models as well as other operation-intensive, clerical, or knowledge-based support processes. This paper describes a scientific, granular approach, enhanced with industry-specific experiences, to adopt the best-fit target operating model for industrial manufacturers....More
- White Paper
  
  Plugged In: The Brave New World of Customer-Centric Manufacturing
  
  Find out how successful companies like Nike, Apple, Boeing and Coca-Cola are infusing analytics into their marketing to better engage customers throughout the buying life cycle....More
- White Paper
  
  Best Practices for Shipping Perishable Goods Coast-to-Coast
  
  The food industry has made great strides in bringing perishable goods from the West Coast to East Coast markets in a safe and timely fashion. Yet even with today’s network of refrigerated rail cars, trucks, and intermodal containers, shippers of fresh produce, frozen foods, temperature-sensitive liquids, and other perishable goods face numerous hurdles to ensure that their products arrive on time, unspoiled, and with adequate remaining shelf life....More
- White Paper
  
  How Abundant Connectivity is Changing Manufacturing
  
  Today more and more equipment on a plant floor is capable of intelligence -- which is driving greater visibility, speed, and collaboration across manufacturing companies. Regardless of whether your product is simple or complex, your company must adapt to stay competitive. Find out about the developments your company should expect thanks to these intelligent devices and systems. Read this free research brief from ARC Advisory Group....More
- White Paper
  
  70,000 ppm to 150 ppm: How One Die Caster uses Technology to Profitably Produce a Challenging Automotive Castings
  
  Aallied was placed into an intense scenario involving high profile customers, which meant that our only option was to design our way to success. By using the most powerful and advanced tools at our disposal, such as MAGMASOFT, and our collective knowledge, the Aallied team had the confidence and ability necessary to charge forward without reservation....More
- White Paper
  
  Spokane Industries: Simulation provides solutions
  
  At Spokane Industries, it’s clear that their use of process optimization software is yielding benefits across the entire business environment, from design through material use, production through part validation and in differentiating them from its competition. The result is more work being processed more efficiently, with the plant’s capacity utilization being much higher and more profitable, according to Spokane personnel....More
- White Paper
  
  Usability Drives Profitability
  
  Why should manufacturers care about the look and feel of their ERP system? Does a consumer-like user interface really matter? Yes! Usability in ERP solutions is about more than pretty screens with bright colors. Although a pleasurable experience is one benefit of improved usability, the real benefits for manufacturers come from the improved productivity and increased efficiency. Intuitive screens with easy-to-find, contextual information speed decision making and ensure best practices are met. Improved ease of use also helps employee engagement, reduces training required and supports agile, responsive attention to meeting customer expectations. Learn more in this white paper by Manufacturing Performance institute (MPI)....More
- White Paper
  
  Social Business: From nice-to-have to necessity
  
  The use of social media concepts in business environments is growing rapidly: but to many executives, the applications and benefits are unclear. In this white paper, we'll examine how social media and social business differ, how social business is being used, and why companies should care....More
- White Paper
  
  Designing Security into The Connected Industrial Enterprise
  
  New technologies that securely connect plant information with enterprise systems and the Internet can improve productivity, asset utilization, and decision-making. But connecting plant-floor data with the enterprise and the cloud poses Cybersecurity risk....More
- White Paper
  
  Master the Multi-Site Contact Center: A Management Model that Works
  
  In today’s flatter, more global environment, price and product are no longer enough to keep the connected consumer loyal to a brand. New value has been placed on customer–facing initiatives like service, engagement, and experience. While the contact center has always been an important interface between companies and customers, it’s now more valuable than ever....More
- White Paper
  
  Manufacturing Outlook: Improving time to market, operational effectiveness and innovation in a highly competitive environment
  
  Manufacturing production is expected to grow over the next few years but many manufacturers are still struggling to recover from the contraction in the industry that began in 2008. As the industry rebounds, manufacturers now face a more competitive environment where they must do more with less. They will have to optimize resources, choose projects wisely, better manage risk and find the time and budget to innovate in order to thrive....More
- White Paper
  
  Time-to-Market: The Need for Speed in the Automotive Industry
  
  Bringing new vehicles to market quickly has never been more challenging. Not only are new vehicles more complex than ever before, but supply chains are stretched, consumers are more demanding and even small delays can cost millions of dollars per model. To bring new models to market on-time and on budget, automakers need an Enterprise Project Portfolio Management solution that can improve financial management, provide greater operational excellence, and risk mitigation through project or portfolio analysis....More
- White Paper
  
  Integrated Business Planning: Powering Agility in a Volatile World
  
  Integrated business planning aligns demand, supply and finance plans for a clear line of sight across an organization. With this complete view, businesses can test the financial impact of different “what if” options in the supply-demand continuum in response to global marketplace volatility and changing customer demands. This paper outlines seven success strategies for maturing your Sales & Operations Planning process toward full Integrated Business Planning....More
- White Paper
  
  Safety Maturity: Three Crucial Elements of Best-in-Class Safety
  
  Best-in-class manufacturers are showing by example the value of having a safety program that can support the promise of an information-enabled connected enterprise. Integrated safety technologies are improving diagnostics and reducing unscheduled downtime...More
- White Paper
  
  Market Trends and IT Innovations for Manufacturing Verticals
  
  Product and industry experts outline their predictions for the evolving market trends in manufacturing and how IT solutions will change in order to meet new demands. The predictions offer valuable insights on vertical industries and point to future growth opportunities for manufacturing companies. The whitepaper will help you envision pending market changes and how software innovations will impact your operational potential....More
- White Paper
  
  Five Levels of Collaboration in Manufacturing
  
  How to plan and build an effective collaboration platform for the stringent demands of manufacturing. Learn how business collaboration is different from social media and how integrated collaborative tools serve as a knowledge management platform and help manage transactional data, speed decisions and support proactive attentions to issues....More
- White Paper
  
  Social Business: Big Benefits for Manufacturers
  
  Accelerate and elevate information sharing with action-oriented, strategic conversations. Social tools offer manufacturers many benefits, including the ability for users to immediately send, search, receive, sort, and digest information. Social media is a faster, more efficient way to communicate than emails, phone calls, and meetings....More
- White Paper
  
  Increasing Employee Engagement
  
  Employee engagement is a critical issue to business continuity and organizational performance. Increasing employee engagement requires strong leadership and the right tools to facilitate communication and collaboration. Learn how to marry business information with business processes. This means your employees will be able to communicate and collaborate more easily, promoting employee engagement and talent retention....More
- White Paper
  
  The Connected Industrial Enterprise
  
  Learn how unlocking data can enable you to build a connected enterprise, vital to the future of manufacturing...More
- White Paper
  
  Solving Common Problems in Hydraulic Actuators by Using Electric Actuators
  
  Electric actuators are quickly becoming the preferred method of automating manufacturing processes. This white paper outlines the problems associated with hydraulic actuators and how they can be solved or avoided by using electric actuators while improving performance, providing a safer system, cutting costs and leaving a smaller footprint....More
- White Paper
  
  On the Clock: The Possibilities of Workforce Mobility
  
  Your workers use smartphones and tablets during their time away from work. So at work, why are they still relying on a bulletin board in the back room, filling out paper forms, and making phone calls to request a day off? Workforce mobility is changing the way companies operate, and the ROI is quick. Read this free white paper to learn how companies are enjoying greater productivity thanks to mobility....More
- White Paper
  
  Minimizing the Impact of Recalls
  
  More than half of supply chain and operations executives say they wouldn't be able to execute on a recall quickly. The stakes are high, since the average recall cost for food and consumer products companies is $10 million -- and that doesn't count damage to brand reputation and lost sales. Learn why traceability is so important, and how you can protect your company and your customers....More
- White Paper
  
  On the Trail to Traceability
  
  Today's supply chains are more complex, and that makes supply chain traceability a huge challenge for manufacturers -- since only 54% are fully compliant with existing traceability rules. In this easy-to-read presentation complete with data and charts, you'll see why companies should be worried about their current tracking capabilities, and where the opportunities are....More
- White Paper
  
  Moving to Cloud Financials: Adoption, Expectations, and Guidance
  
  Existing systems are inadequate and inflexible in meeting their business requirements. But to run Finance in the Cloud, CFOs must provide leadership...More
- White Paper
  
  Real CIOs of the Cloud
  
  True innovation is happening ONLY in the cloud. This new whitepaper features two technology leaders discussing their cloud strategy...More
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  What Your Peers Are Doing to Prime Their Human Resources and Financial Systems for Growth and Change
  
  Organizations like Sallie Mae, CareerBuilder, and AAA are realigning their HR and finance systems to accommodate growth and change...More
- White Paper
  
  10 Critical Requirements for Cloud Applications
  
  Growing interest in cloud computing has prompted almost every enterprise software vendor to claim it's "in the cloud." However, in the industry's rush to fulfill demand...More
- White Paper
  
  Generate Greater Cash Flow by Optimizing Opportunities
  
  Unlocking existing contingency funds can boost operational agility and give your company more room to develop future profit. This report explains how visibility and increased governance is key to reducing risk. It contains the latest findings from The EPPM Board. You'll learn how business value can be gained from greater executive oversight into performance....More
- White Paper
  
  The Future Of Procurement Collaboration White Paper
  
  Virtually all companies are under intense pressure to find the next generation of cost savings given both the commoditization of their products and mandates from customers to deliver more. This is particularly true for manufacturing companies, most of whom have wrung out costs for the past decade. Learn the implications for logistics procurement....More
- White Paper
  
  CEOs Are Increasingly Being Held Accountable
  
  How susceptible is the CEO's reputation to poor performance across the project portfolio? What impact can delivery failures have on the executive board, and what are the challenges they face to introducing greater accountability? These are the central questions behind this research report, which examines how a lack of operational visibility, allied to the inherent risks that accompany any large capital investment, can have a direct impact on bottom line results -- and by extension the career prospects of senior executives....More
- White Paper
  
  How Share Price Affects a Company's Senior Leaders
  
  Senior executives are more accountable than ever before for operational failings that contribute to poor share price performance. In this independent report, you'll see the intrinsic connection between long-term capital investment and short term market performance -– and how this can impact the profit outlook. It examines existing research, industry examples, and explores practical approaches to maintaining effective visibility and control over key operational metrics....More
- White Paper
  
  Supply Chain Segmentation Enabled Why Focusing on Operations and Using New Technology Makes All the Difference
  
  Today's supply chains -- stretched by globalization, outsourcing, and the rapid proliferation of SKUs and product configurations -- are exceedingly complex. They're also exceedingly hard to manage. Companies know that in order to provide customers with more customization, more service, and more intimacy than ever, they need to segment their supply chain. But most still rely on a "one-size-fits-all" approach....More
- White Paper
  
  Choosing the Right LED Product for Industrial Applications
  
  The way to reduce that massive energy expense is to upgrade to intelligent industrial LED lighting, which can reduce lighting energy use up to 90%. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of industrial LED alternatives....More
- White Paper
  
  Shift Your Focus - Exploring the Future of Manufacturing Execution Systems
  
  If manufacturing drives your business, then business should drive your manufacturing IT. Forward-looking manufacturers are shifting the focus of manufacturing IT from operational tactics to a holistic business strategy. HP takes a closer look at today’s most advanced Manufacturing Execution Systems....More
- White Paper
  
  Reengineering the Foundation for B2B Information Exchange in the Supply Chain
  
  Cloud platforms represent a truly radical shift in how companies exchange information with one another. Examine the shortcomings of yesterday’s technology and how new platforms based around the economics of cloud are enabling companies to become agile and hyper-efficient networked organizations. Without the extra-enterprise nervous systems to see and control the supply chain, companies are at a strategic disadvantage in their markets, and this paper explains why....More
- White Paper
  
  Industry Edge: Aerospace Edition ezine
  
  The aerospace industry is navigating challenges and opportunities: ranging from going global, seeking growth markets, overcoming complexities, and driving innovation and differentiation. Learn how HP helps aerospace and defense companies harness the new style of IT with solutions that enable innovation and growth....More
- White Paper
  
  Accelerating Speed to Market in the Highly Competitive Automotive Industry
  
  Dramatic changes in the auto industry are making speed a necessity for product development and production. You need a funnel for innovative ideas and resource management -- to accelerate your time to market. Learn why timely product releases are growing in importance throughout the automotive world, and how your company can ensure speedy product launches....More
- White Paper
  
  5 Core Principles of Supply Chain Excellence
  
  Supply chain management has evolved into a science, and achieving an efficient supply chain from end to end is a priority. Read about the 5 core principles of manufacturing supply chain excellence (including customer centricity, differentiated services through segmented supply chains, and more) in this free white paper....More
- White Paper
  
  Cloud Information Technology: A Model for the Networked Company
  
  Cloud technology is rapidly changing the way B2B interactions are carried out. It provides a benefit that no amount of investment in traditional software can obtain — the exponential effect a robust network of companies with a common goal has on the quality of the technology and its users. As companies move to cloud-based software, their IT teams must correspondingly adapt the department’s structure....More
- White Paper
  
  Post Accident Cost Control and Accident Prevention
  
  What’s the best way to minimize the cost of an injury? The answer is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. The simple truth is that workplace accidents will happen. What happens next, however, can significantly impact the productivity and profitability of any company—large or small.....More
- White Paper
  
  Manufacturing Solutions Enable IT And Business Execs To Address Key Strategic Priorities
  
  Today’s leading manufacturers are aggressively implementing wireless solutions throughout their industrial facilities and using these wireless solutions to enhance agility. This study focused on identifying key strategic and business priorities of IT executives and business decision-makers enabled by WLAN/Wi-Fi and other wireless infrastructure technologies....More
- White Paper
  
  What’s Missing from Your Lean Initiative? TPM’s integral role, with 5 takeaways to guide your strategy.
  
  Most business owners and general managers recognize just how critically important proper equipment maintenance is, particularly in an asset-oriented work environment. Simply put, poorly maintained equipment leads to production downtime, lost revenue, dissatisfied customers, and low morale. Yet, in the context of lean initiatives, debates crop up regarding the role of preventive and predictive maintenance versus Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). Read more......More
- White Paper
  
  When Disaster Strikes
  
  Disasters that affect the supply chain will never be avoidable – but the operational and financial havoc created by them can be. Globalization and the concept of a lean supply chain exposes companies to more risk from major disasters than ever, and companies must plan for and act confidently when they occur. Hear stories of disruptions and the best strategies for handling them with cloud technology....More
- White Paper
  
  Manufacturers Take Risky Bets on Supply Chain Resiliency
  
  A recent BBK and IndustryWeek survey indicates manufacturers may not realize the risks that lurk within their supply chains. Findings from the BBK/IndustryWeek Supplier Risk Survey indicate a deficiency gap in the perceived strength of supplier risk management systems and the actual knowledge of potential problems that exist throughout the supply chain. While many manufacturers expressed confidence in their company’s supply chain processes, they cited challenges that could negatively impact their networks. These include a lack of talented supply chain professionals, little visibility into supplier finances, logistics issues and capacity and resource constraints....More
- White Paper
  
  A U.S. Manufacturing Renaissance
  
  Renaissance Era = Evolving customer priorities, an expanding marketplace, and rising competition Manufacturing’s new era is about transformation - in how you view the market and adopting a new approach to doing business....More
- White Paper
  
  Comau and Siemens Collaborate to Develop a Revolutionary “Digital Factory” for Automobile Manufacturing
  
  At Comau, a $1.8 billion global provider of advanced vehicle production systems, a game-changing modular, automated design enables time-saving parallel production, reduces work-in-process, improves material logistics, saves energy and reduces floor space up to 50%....More
- White Paper
  
  Manufacturer IT Applications Study
  
  What kinds of downtime problems are manufacturers currently facing, and what are they doing to prevent downtime from impacting their operations? Read the results of this IndustryWeek study to pick up insights into companies' downtime woes, and to learn about the strategies and best practices manufacturers are using to prevent it....More
- White Paper
  
  Five Steps to a High-Performance Supply Chain: A Guide to Reaching New Levels of Agility by Enhancing ERP Software with Collaborative Cloud Technology
  
  Traditional ERP systems are no longer enough to make the cut in this complex global manufacturing arena. To extend the functionality of their legacy software, companies are plugging into a cloud-based supply chain network – one that connects partners, shows a complete supply chain picture through better visibility and data quality, and allows for a new level of collaboration and efficiency....More
- White Paper
  
  Is it Time to Purchase a New ERP?
  
  According to data collected for the Mint Jutras 2011 ERP Solution Study, 62% of businesses with ERP installed are running the first solution ever implemented in the company. Why? Because for years most people equate replacing ERP to brain surgery....More
- White Paper
  
  Kaikaku: Moving Beyond Kaizen One Organization’s Story of Radical Process Change using 3P
  
  3P is a method by which teams develop and deploy radical improvement in product and process design....More
- White Paper
  
  Selecting ERP for Engineer to Order (ETO) Manufacturing
  
  Most enterprise resource planning ERP software was not designed for a project-oriented environment like ETO. How do the needs of ETO manufacturers differ from more traditional manufacturers?...More
- White Paper
  
  Unlock Innovation: Create a Collaboration-Driven Ecosystem to Accelerate Innovation from Idea to Product
  
  Today, product-based companies face tremendous business challenges—driven primarily by continued worldwide economic uncertainties that contribute to weak and fluctuating product demand....More
- White Paper
  
  Smart Manufacturing and Competitiveness; How technology-driven productivity improvement is shaping the future of U.S. industry
  
  Special Report: Smart Manufacturing and Competitiveness; How technology-driven productivity improvement is shaping the future of U.S. industry....More
- White Paper
  
  Treating Maintenance as an Asset, not an Expense
  
  In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, everyone from top floor to shop floor is being asked to do more with less. That expectation is requiring companies to explore new approaches for maintaining lower operating budgets while increasing efficiency....More
- White Paper
  
  Selecting and Implementing Secure Mobile ERP
  
  Is Mobile ERP Security an oxymoron? With bring your own device (BYOD) comes the realization that data from enterprise applications like ERP will wind up on mobile devices. In this white paper, IFS CTO Rick Veague discusses technological, process-based and cultural ways to handle this change in how enterprise data is handled....More
- White Paper
  
  Data Usage in Manufacturing
  
  This metrics-rich report is based on a survey conducted by IndustryWeek to investigate data collection and usage among manufacturing companies....More
- White Paper
  
  Why ERP Fails at Enterprise Project Management
  
  Most ERP does a poor job with enterprise project management (EPM), management of enterprise-wide projects like engineer-to-order, engineering procurement construction and process manufacturing initiatives....More
- White Paper
  
  Siemens Integrates the Drive System for Optimized Efficiency
  
  The ARC Advisory Group has researched how the industry sources, designs, specifies, deploys and maintains industrial drive trains, across a number of industries around the globe....More
- White Paper
  
  Has Your BOM Solution BOMBED?
  
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