Managing Automation - October 2007 - (Page 4)

10-07 MOBILE COVER STORY: THE CONTENTS Managing Automation Vol. 22 No. 9 Technology Strategies For Progressive Manufacturers ENTERPRISE OPINIONS DEPARTMENTS NEWS in PERSPECTIVE 8 l Take 1 By David R. Brousell As the TomorrowNow downloading dispute heats up in court, both Oracle and SAP seem to be making tactical errors in judgment. 20 l Notes By Joshua Greenbaum Doing IT the American way — that is, with a decentralized management structure — adds considerable value, according to a recent study. 54 l Next 22 Hold the phone! Despite the many wireless technology deployments in manufacturing companies, the lack of a unified wireless architecture has resulted in largely tactical applications. The upshot is that many manufacturers are not yet turning mobility into a strategic advantage. 30 Manufacturers believe wireless networks can help them reduce production costs and improve plant flexibility. Before widely deploying the technology, however, they want to know: Is wireless reliable enough for the plant floor? By Rober t Malone WANTED: A UNIFIED NEEDED: GREATER INFRASTRUCTUREN E I L RELIABILITYF F M O A D BY STEPHANIE BY JE Recent infrastructure failures and product recalls demontrate — yet again — the importance of quality control procedures in manufacturing. Mailbox l 10 l Product Scan l 48 l Advertiser Index l 52 l 36 l SPECIAL REPORT INNOVATION: WHY ARE SO MANY COMING UP SHORT? B Y D AV I D R . B R O U S E L L 12 l New Selling and Fulfillment Product Leads Plan to Transform Sterling Commerce A new MA reader poll shows that though manufacturers may be doing a good job generating new ideas, a lack of process for commercializing those ideas is plaguing many. 13 l Comtrol Closes Bizarre Chapter Involving Founder Transformation TechWatch Integration Industries 40 l TRANSFORMATION Beating the Odds in Global Supply By Lauren Gibbons Paul 44 l INDUSTRIES By Beth Stackpole 14 l New Omron COO Outlines Four-Part Growth Agenda Metals: Tracking Carbon Footprints Pending regulations on greenhouse gases will likely require metals manufacturers to track and report on emissions, as well as execute credit transactions. Here’s how IT systems are evolving to meet the need. 17 l New Mfg. ‘Czar’ Will Have a Full Plate of Issues Manufacturers face ever more uncertainty, making risk management a major challenge. A variety of software tools can help manufacturers assess demand and react to unforeseen events. 18 l Lawson Embraces The Trend of Fewer Upgrades Cover Photo: Steve Rabin MANAGING AUTOMATION magazine (ISSN 0895-3805) is published monthly except combined issues of Jan/Feb 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. ©2007 by Thomas Publishing Co. 4 October 2007

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Managing Automation - October 2007

Contents Take 1 Mailbox New Selling and Fulfillment Product Leads Plan to Transform Sterling Commerce Comtrol Closes Bizarre Chapter Involving Founder New Omron COO Outlines Four-Part Growth Agenda New Mfg. ‘Czar’ Will Have a Full Plate of Issues Lawson Embraces The Trend of Fewer Upgrades Notes Wanted: A Unified Infrastructure Needed: Greater Reliability Special Report: Innovation: Why Are So Many Coming Up Short? Transforamation: Beating the Odds in Global Supply Industries: Metals: Tracking Carbon Footprints Product Scan Advertiser Index Next

Managing Automation - October 2007

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