Managing Automation - February 2009 - (Page 4) 02-09 DEEP DIVE COLLABORATION: TEAMWORK 2.0 BY STEPHANIE NEIL Web 2.0 technology — wikis, blogs, Twitter — is quickly becoming the collaborative CONTENTS Managing Automation Vol. 24 No. 2 Technology Strategies For Progressive Manufacturers 20 OPINIONS DEPARTMENTS NEWS in PERSPECTIVE 8 l Take 1 By David R. Brousell Dealing with the recession has taken center stage, but manufacturers would be well-advised not to forget key trends that are reshaping the industrial market. engine of manufacturers that need better ways to share information internally as well as with suppliers, customers, and field service. 17 l Notes By Joshua Greenbaum 26 l WEB TECHNOLOGY UPS THE COLLABORATIVE ANTE BY STEPHANIE NEIL As ailing industries turn to the U.S. government looking for a bailout, it may be instructive to look at France’s experience with Groupe Bull. New social networking and other Web 2.0 tools for manufacturers can create tight-knit communities where conversations and information flow freely and decisions are made on the fly. But rules must be enforced to maintain good business practices. 50 l Next By Rober t Malone 30 l EXPERT Q&A: THE FUTURE HOLDS INCREASED INFORMATION SHARING BY DIANE HIMES We enjoy a cornucopia of scientific and technological miracles, but the proper application of those miracles requires good management. To get an expert’s view on how far collaboration has progressed in manufacturing, MA spoke with Benjamin Friedman, research manager, product lifecycle strategies, at Manufacturing Insights, an IDC Company. Mailbox l 10 l Product Scan l 44 l Advertiser Index l 49 l 31 l USER RESOURCES BY CHRIS CHIAPPINELLI Here are Web links to an arsenal of information to support your company’s quest for collaboration. WAITING FOR FUSION 34 l SPECIAL REPORT BY JEFF MOAD 12 l 13 l 14 l 15 l 16 l Axeda, Questra Merger Reflects Slow Adoption of Machine-to-Machine Tech Tech Isn’t Aiding Corporate Goals, McKinsey Finds For Plexus, a Rose by Any Other Name SAP Price Hike Not Going Over Well, Analysts Say Lumigent Nabs Funding Despite Weak Economy Oracle’s self-imposed deadline for making its next-generation applications suite generally available has come and gone, leaving customers to wonder whether, when, and how to plan their transitions. OUT OF CASH 40 l TRANSFORMATION B Y L A U R E N G I B B O N S PA U L As pricing schemes and fulfillment channels proliferate, manufacturers are finding that the order-to-cash process is becoming increasingly complex and difficult to manage. Luckily, a host of software solutions can ease the burden. Cover Photo: Liv Friis-Larsen 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. ©2009 by Thomas Publishing Company. All rights reserved. MA and Managing Automation are registered trademarks of Thomas Publishing Company. 4 February 2009
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