Managing Automation - January 2008 - (Page 3) 01-08 CONTENTS Managing Automation OPINIONS DEPARTMENTS NEWS in PERSPECTIVE Industries Vol. 23 No. 1 Technology Strategies For Progressive Manufacturers 6 l Take 1 By David R. Brousell The debate over whether IT really matters has faded from the scene as manufacturers embrace technology with even greater fervor than ever. 14 l Notes By Joshua Greenbaum In a reversal, companies are starting to pull their call centers back onshore to improve service; manufacturing will soon follow their lead. OUTLOOK: STORM CLOUDS D A V I D R . B R O U S E L L AHEAD? BY U.S. manufacturers’ confidence in the economy drops 14 points as the credit crisis spreads, a new MA poll reveals. 18 l COVER STORY 50 l Next By Rober t Malone Regardless of where goods are made, manufacturers’ success depends on delivering the goods, and that suggests a structurally sound infrastructure. 26 l SPECIAL REPORT CAN MES PLAY A LEAD ROLE? BY STEPHANIE NEIL PM Roundtable l 16 l Product Scan l 44 l Advertiser Index l 48 l The part requires more than a passing knowledge of enterprise systems. MES vendors are called upon to immerse themselves in ERP through formal alliances. Transformation Integration TechWatch 08 l At OpenWorld, Oracle Issues ‘Statements of Direction’ for Manufacturing 36 l TRANSFORMATION Giving Up the Paper Chase By Beth Stackpole 09 l IBM to Amplify Cognos Position, Officials Hope Driven by FDA regulations, medical device manufacturers are rethinking key business processes and implementing integrated systems to bolster their quality management practices. 10 l Rockwell Chief Says Revamp Nearly Complete 32 l INTEGRATION By Jef f Moad Trolling the BPM Waters As enterprise vendors push aggressively into business process management waters, manufacturers face a decision: Go with pure-play providers or wait for BPM tools from the ERP vendors to mature. 40 l INDUSTRIES Short Circuit B y M a r t y We i l 11 l Optessa Tries to Leverage the Algorithms 12 l RIA’s New Chief Reflects a Change In Robot Industry As automakers embed more electronics into their vehicles, testing and quality problems are rising. PLM tools may help, but vendors are just beginning to address the problem. Cover Photo: Vinko Murko MANAGING AUTOMATION magazine (ISSN 0895-3805) is published monthly by Thomas Publishing Company, LLC. 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. J.E. Andrade, Chmn. of the Board; C.T. Holst-Knudsen, Pres.; R.J. Anderson, V.P., Planning.; E.V. Dillon, V.P., Mkg.; M. Peipert, V.P., Finance; I.J. Molofsky, V.P., Human Resources. Executive Office: 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. Tel: 212-695-0500. Managing Automation: 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010541. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Station A, P.O. Box 12, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 No charge for subscriptions when requested by qualified readers in the U.S.A. and its possessions. Subscriptions to others in the U.S. are $60/year. In Canada, $75/year. All other countries, $125/year. Single copies within the U.S. are $10.00. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. MANAGING AUTOMATION (USPS 001-181). Postmaster: Please send address changes to MANAGING AUTOMATION, P.O. Box 1156, Skokie, IL 60076-9794. ©2008 by Thomas Publishing Co. 3 January 2008
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