Manufacturing And Warehousing IT News For VARs — October 21, 2014
By Trisha Leon, contributing writer
In the news, articles explore Analytics-as-a-Service for manufacturing and software-intensive manufacturing. Also, smart manufacturing can give U.S. manufacturers an edge in the global market.
Can Your Manufacturing Clients Benefit From Analytics-as-a-Service?
Mithun Sridharan writes for SmartData Collective that business analytics has taken on a more encompassing role. With this in mind, more companies are offering Analytics-as-a-Service, which allows businesses to, according to Sridharan, “spend more time analyzing data and less in hardware and software administration.” The amount of data generated by businesses can be overwhelming; therefore, experienced data management operations provide an invaluable service. With their data analysis needs being met by an outside source, manufacturers can then focus on what they do best — creating and delivering products that meet customer needs.
Integrating Technology Has ROI For Manufacturers
The article, “Software Intensive Manufacturing — The Game Changer?” in Manufacturers’ Monthly, says that though pipes, molds, and cables are and will always be a part of manufacturing, manufacturing is not strictly limited to these physical things. According to article, “high value technology enabled devices and products” are also valuable to the manufacturing sector. Bibek Banerjee writes that the future of manufacturing is dependent on “an integrated approach” to handling mechanical parts and electronic and software systems. By implementing such an approach, manufacturers can “achieve increased revenue, drive innovation, decrease time to market, and garner increased market share.”
“Smart Manufacturing” Can Give Your IT Customers An Edge
The article “Data is the Key to the Factory of the Future,” published by The Center for Data Innovation explains how “smart manufacturing,” the development of advanced manufacturing technologies, can make U.S. manufacturers more competitive in the global economy. According to writers Daniel Castro and Mark Doms, data can streamline the design process, Improve factory operations, and manage the risks associated with a complex supply chain. They emphasize that the health of the manufacturing sector can affect the overall health of the economy; therefore, implementing these manufacturing technologies within an enterprise is key to its future success and that of the nation.
Manufacturing And Warehousing IT Talking Points
NASA has long been at the forefront of American innovation. Now they are in the midst of deploying massive amounts of data to the cloud. Roopangi Kadakia, NASA’s web services executive, is quoted in the Computer World article, “NASA Launches Massive Cloud Migration,” as saying “There’s a whole set of different ways to think about the cloud. If we get folks to that point, we can really start creating a strategy so you can have better access to information anytime and anywhere.” This migration is a huge undertaking for NASA, but they see the advantages of cloud computing. According to the article, “now that they’re (NASA) on the cloud, updating the website has gone from taking twenty minutes to two minutes.” Cloud computing can save corporations both time and money, something NASA knows first hand.
Eric Lail of Transportation Insight writes for Industrial Distribution, listing seven major “wastes” that occur in businesses and how they can be addressed by lean practices. According to Lail, “when starting a lean journey, an organization must look at the ‘big picture’ to see where waste exists.” This important first step will lead businesses to look for ways to extend lean principals to their supply chain as well. According to the article, “it is estimated that fully 75 percent of the actual waste in the chain lies outside the boundaries of operation controlled by any single ‘enterprise.’” When applied, these lean principles can enable businesses to remain competitive and gain market share.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Manufacturing And Warehousing Tech Center.