Managing Automation - August 2008 - (Page 3)

08-08 CONTENTS Managing Automation Vol. 23 No. 8 Technology Strategies For Progressive Manufacturers SPECIAL ISSUE OPINIONS DEPARTMENTS NEWS in PERSPECTIVE 6 l Take 1 By David R. Brousell As Microsoft’s co-founder moves into the next stage of his career, the software industry he helped form enters a new era in its evolution. 14 l Notes By Joshua Greenbaum Supply chain management means little if it doesn’t address risk management to forestall the effects of supply disruptions, large and small. 54 l Next TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT U.S. manufacturers want the federal government to play an active role in ensuring industry’s competitiveness. In this special issue, manufacturers express their feelings and offer recommendations to the presidential candidates on a host of policy issues affecting the industry today and in the future. By Rober t Malone Rescuing manufacturing from daunting energy, security, and recession problems will require deep, aggressive action grounded in reason. 16 l POLL: It’s Time for Action By David R. Brousell 30 l HEALTHCARE By Jef f Moad An Unhealthy Situation Although rising healthcare costs are putting manufacturers in a competitive hole, there’s no consensus on how far government should go to reform the system. Product Scan l 42 l Advertiser Index l 52 l U.S. manufacturers are seriously concerned about the state of industrial competitiveness, and they are upset that the major political parties have not put this issue front and center this election year, according to an exclusive Managing Automation/Thomas Publishing reader poll. 34 l ENERGY 8 l After 18 Months, the Oracle/SAP Suit Has Little Effect on Maintenance Sales 22 MANUFACTURING COUNCIL Q&A Examining U.S. Competitiveness By Jef f Moad l Exploring Alternatives By Stephanie Neil The MA Manufacturing Council convened at the Progressive Manufacturing Summit in June for a wide-ranging discussion on what can be done to boost American competitiveness. U.S. manufacturers, hit hard by escalating oil prices, agree that new energy sources and government policies are essential for their survival. Figuring out what to recommend is the hard part. 9 l At 100, Foxboro Reinvents Around Its Customers 10 l New Private Equity Firm Eyes Software 38 l TRAINING & EDUCATION Math and Science: Key to the Future By Diane Himes 26 l INTERNATIONAL TRADE Leveling the Field By Chris Chiappinelli 11 l A Software Suite Just for Manufacturers Fed up with trade policies that they see as stacking the deck against them, U.S. manufacturers are looking to the next administration for truly fair trade. Of all the issues facing U.S. manufacturing, the need to replace an aging workforce with appropriately skilled people may be the most significant — and daunting. 12 l i2 Chief Focuses on Services Plan Cover Photo: Dieter Spears 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 Company. All rights reserved. MA and Managing Automation are registered trademarks of Thomas Publishing Company. 3 August 2008

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Managing Automation - August 2008 Contents Take 1 After 18 Months, the Oracle/SAP Suit Has Little Effect on Maintenance Sales At 100, Foxboro Reinvents Around Its Customers New Private Equity Firm Eyes Software A Software Suite Just for Manufacturers i2 Chief Focuses on Services Plan Notes It's Time for Action Examining U.S. Competitveness Leveling the Field An Unhealthy Situation Exploring Alternatives Math and Science: Key to the Future Product Scan Advertiser Index Next

Managing Automation - August 2008

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