Managing Automation- July 2008

FREE E-NEWSLETTERS SUBSRIBE NOW! news managingautomation.com maonline Go online for daily news updates in perspective effort by analysts Tony Friscia, Kevin O’Marah, Debra Hofman, and Joe Souza. In the top slot for 2008 is Apple Computer, courtesy of innovative product designs, “transcendent software interfaces,” and innovative delivery methods, AMR said. In addition, “Behind-the-scenes moves like tying up essential components well in advance and upgrading basic information systems have enabled Apple to handle the demands of its rabid fan base without having to fall back on their forgiveness for mistakes,” the report said. Following Apple in the top 10, which AMR devised based on its own input, peer scrutiny, and each company’s return on assets, inventory turns, and revenue growth, were Nokia, Dell, Procter & Gamble, IBM, Wal-Mart Stores, Toyota Motor, Cisco Systems, Samsung Electronics, and Anheuser-Busch. The list underscores the need for other companies to be customer demand-driven, according to the study’s authors. In the consumer goods realm, for instance, forecast accuracy is at least part of what separates the leaders from their CPG peers. In celebrating the efforts of P&G, Anheuser-Busch, PepsiCo (11th on the list), and The Coca-Cola Co. (13th), the AMR analysts noted, “Demand insight is a unifying thread among these big consumer brands. Major investments in better demand data visibility provide an edge to Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola.” Also, “PepsiCo has led with some sophisticated supply network planning to optimize its performance across businesses, a focus on innovation, and its Performance with Purpose program.” A focus not only on forecasting but also the associated inventory planning vaulted Samsung to ninth place. The Korean electronics company was “largely successful with one of the world’s best sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes, fine-tuning the supply-demand balancing decisions in all of its major businesses,” AMR stated. New ways of looking at the supply chain have paid off for other companies in the top 25. Cisco, a leader in wireless and networking products, has brought shop floor wisdom out from behind the four walls to great success, AMR said. “Some of Cisco’s initiatives have been especially compelling, including its Lean Forward effort, which takes principles of lean that work in manufacturing and inbound materials supply and extends them into the channel.” That’s doing more with your tail than most. — Chris Chiappinelli Alliances, Executive Appointments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Products Transform your business through technology FREE Newsletters include: • MA Daily News Alert Hot off the press news exclusives written by MA Editorial • MA Membership Alert The latest industry research, products, news and web events Compete in the new global economy for years to come can automate and integrate the entire innovation process, from idea creation to program management and measurement. Microsoft and its partners also will advise customers on best practices for developing their innovation strategies and culture, Richardson said. Among Microsoft’s partners on the initiative is The George Group, an innovation consultancy that Accenture acquired last September. “We can help customers jump-start innovation processes,” Richardson said. “It’s not just about collaboration. It’s about backing collaboration with formal processes, and it starts with developing a corporate innovation strategy.” The IPM initiative won’t directly incorporate product lifecycle management tools, Richardson said. That’s because, typically, PLM tools focus on the downstream portions of the innovation process rather than on idea and knowledge capture, where Microsoft is focused. “The challenge with PLM tools is that they are Don Richardson design-centric. The way they think about innovation is through design,” Richardson said. “We believe innovation can happen much further up the chain, much earlier in the organization, and that it should not be constrained by 3D design notions.” The IPM initiative will, however, focus on streamlining the transfer of new product ideas and projects developed using Microsoft’s collaboration tools with 3D design tools, Richardson said. — J.M. • Progressive Manufacturer • Viewpoint Provocative and inspirational, features the opinion columns in print with exclusives online SUPPLY CHAIN STANDOUTS HONORED BY AMR Sign Up Today at: MANAGINGAUTOMATION.COM /NEWSLETTERS T ® ime was, a company’s supply chain was something of a vestigial tail: an entity without any differentiating benefit to its owner, but one to be endured nonetheless. Today, with transportation costs scaling new heights, it’s tempting for manufacturers to look at distribution and logistics simply as cost centers to be managed. But the best of the best take a very different view, according to AMR Research. The analyst firm recently published its “Supply Chain Top 25 for 2008” report, a collaborative http://managingautomation.com http://MANAGINGAUTOMATION.COM/NEWSLETTERS http://MANAGINGAUTOMATION.COM/NEWSLETTERS

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Managing Automation- July 2008

Managing Automation- July 2008 Contents Take 1 HP's Acquisition of EDS May Face Integration, Global Delivery Challenges Rimini Plans to Woo SAP Support Users Rockwell Steps Up Its Activities in Software Microsoft Targets the Process of Innovation Supply Chain Standouts Honored by AMR Notes Who Are Today's Influential Thinkers? The Robot Revolution Is the Price Right? Without a Trace Harvesting the Suggestion Box Product Scan Advertiser Index Next

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