Managing Automation - October 2008 - (Page 22)

[ COMPANIES TO WATCH] Transpara T Software provides real-time access to KPI data to combat decisionmaking paralysis brought on by information overload. ranspara Corp., founded in 2005 to address the problem of FOUNDED: 2005 information overload in asset-intensive manufacturing industries, PRODUCT/CATEGORY: Visual KPI/operational intelligence offers Visual KPI, a software product that provides real-time access to role-based data that helps users make quick, informed decisions. INDUSTRY SEGMENTS SERVED: Process manufacturing, including oil In process manufacturing environments, an abundance of data can & gas, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, pulp & paper, power generation hinder timely decision making. Transpara’s software lets users create KEY PROBLEM SOLVED: Knowledge workers in asset-intensive indusand distribute composite key performance indicators (KPIs) from systries are faced with overwhelming amounts of data that often gets in the way tems of record, and analyze and share information on-demand from of timely decision making. Visual KPI provides the customized and roleany device equipped with an Internet connection. based data — accessible on demand — required to coordinate fleet-wide “Visual KPI lowers the cost of curiosity by extending existing data asset management and improve collaboration among decision makers. to new [mobile] devices and, therefore, unlocking suppressed abilities DIFFERENTIATION: Collects, measures, and provides contextual inforin the workforce,” says Michael Saucier, Transpara’s founder and mation about KPIs from diverse systems of record on the fly and makes it CEO. “With the most important decisioneasily accessible to decision makers; maintains partnerships with major wiresupport data delivered in ways they haven’t less providers and supports more than 350 mobile devices. had it before, people are able to contribute CUSTOMERS: Research in Motion, Genentech, PEMEX, Tesoro right in the moment, solving problems before FUNDING: Privately funded they negatively impact the books and making a significant difference in aligning behavior Although we’re still somewhat early in our deployment, we’re quite optiwith corporate goals.” mistic that it will more than pay for itself.” Transpara customer Research in Motion impleTranspara recently announced an OEM deal with OSIsoft, through which mented Visual KPI following a manufacturing manTranspara will embed key features from OSI’s PI Server inside the Visual Michael Saucier agement change that emphasized a focus on KPIs CEO KPI product, Saucier says. Customers can also expect enhancements rein decision-making processes, says Brad Thurston, lated to end-user extensibility and support for BI cubes as data sources, as project manager for RIM’s manufacturing supply chain. “From a project well as additional scalability and throughput improvements. — Diane Himes management standpoint, the application is ultra-flexible and easy to deploy. i YourEncore.com I An online community fills the knowledge gaps left by retiring engineers and scientists. General Mills. YourEncore adds six to eight new clients per year. YourEncore got off the ground in 2003, when P&G, seeking engineering talent to increase new products under development, teamed up with consulting firm Bernard Associates LLC to come up with the idea of an independent website to recruit retirees with expertise across disciplines. YourEncore checks the qualifications of prospective experts and makes sure they are free of confidentiality constraints. The site also requires experts to agree to protect the intellectual property of companies that engage them. The site uses an online tool, based on features of the Facebook website, to communicate with and find experts for Brad Lawson CEO specific client projects. YourEncore CEO Brad Lawson says clients often use the site to find experts who bring fresh insights. In one case, he says, a CPG company developing a new diaper called upon aerospace engineers, who contributed advanced virtual modeling concepts that sped up the development process. It’s access to that kind of diverse technical expertise that makes YourEncore so valuable to its clients. “YourEncore is matching experienced professionals with companies that need problems solved, innovation accelerated, and new talent mentored on a project-by-project basis,” says Bob Parker, research vice president at IDC Manufacturing Insights. “Evidence of their early success comes from the impressive list of lighthouse customers — P&G, Boeing, General Mills, and Lilly.” — Jeff Moad t’s a familiar story: As aging baby boomers retire, taking their considerable knowledge and experience with them, manufacturers struggle to find replacements who can productively step in to fill the gaps. Now there’s a Web site that can help manufacturers find the engineering, product innovation, and other expertise they’re looking for. YourEncore.com connects a network of 4,000 retired and veteran engineers, scientists, and other professionals with manufacturers in need of specific expertise. So far, 30 organizations have signed up for the service, including manufacturing giants Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, Boeing, and FOUNDED: 2003 PRODUCT/CATEGORY: YourEncore, an online community that links manufacturing companies with retired engineering and science experts/social networking INDUSTRY SEGMENTS SERVED: CPG, life sciences, high tech, aerospace, and food KEY PROBLEM SOLVED: Fills knowledge gap left by the retirement of technical experts DIFFERENTIATION: Focuses specifically on manufacturing-related skills, such as quality, innovation, regulation, and packaging CUSTOMERS: Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, and Boeing FUNDING: Privately funded. Among customers, General Mills has purchased a small equity stake. i ma 22 2008 October http://www.YourEncore.com http://www.YourEncore.com

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

Managing Automation - October 2008 Contents Take 1 Systems Integration Market Braces for a Wave of Consolidation Kinaxis Launches Program to Lure i2 Customers Patent May Give Mobility a Needed Shot in the Arm New Group Aims at More Efficient Smart Devices Solar, Life Sciences Will Be the Next Frontier For Robots Notes Cover Story:�2009 Companies to Watch Special Report:�Siemens plus UGS: Is the Merger Working? Transformation:�Driving Energy Efficiency Integration: How Clean is Your Data Industries:�Fed Raises Red Flag on Chemicals Product Scan Advertiser Index Next

Managing Automation - October 2008

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