Manufacturing Executive - November 2008 - (Page 3) November 2008 ● Vol. 1 No. 3 Technology Strategies for European Industry Leaders OPINIONS 4 l Editor’s Letter By Paul Tate There may be trouble ahead. It’s time to transform that archipelago of isolated technologies and processes into a rolling landscape of efficiency and excellence. 6 l Opinion By Lisa Bodell Contrary to popular belief, an economic downturn is an excellent time to encourage the staff to generate new ideas and get new projects under way. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT MES & ERP: TWO PATHS TO 12 l MES UPDATE 42 l Opinion By Pier francesco Manenti BY MARK HALPER SAP’s acquisition of MES provider Visiprise in July redefined a competition with automation companies over so-called manufacturing operations management, where critical manufacturing data resides. Manufacturing execs now face a key decision point in how they will run their companies. As green initiatives show ROI, they are rising in importance, from the operations and shop floor level to the heights of boardrooms. 18 l SUPPLY CHAIN Home Is Where the Market Is By Mark Halper 24 l INTEGRATION DEPARTMENTS 8 l Starters By Mark Halper & Paul Tate Blending MES and ERP By Mark Halper Shell Goes Virtual for Collaboration Supply Chain Battle in the Air Europe’s Terminal Spend Is Full of Life So, When’s the Recovery? Getting Discrete About Wireless “Nearshoring” takes on new meaning as manufacturers set up plants near booming markets while also bringing them closer to headquarters. Ahold Coffee executives gain valuable manufacturing insights from the integration of MES and ERP, improving their decision making and saving money. 26 l TRANSFORMATION The Price Is Right? By Chris Chiappinelli 10 l Road Trip By Mark Halper 22 l CASE STUDY By Mark Halper Maintenance Software Makes for a Good Mix England’s Simpsons Malt had to impose cultural changes to reap full rewards. Most executives intuitively know that pricing matters, but few have the tools to determine either how much it matters or how to start fixing it. But that may be starting to change. Like Copenhagen’s renowned astronomical clock, finely tuned manufacturing relies on integrating information from across the universe of operations, ranging from the shop floor to the enterprise. 29 l INTEGRATION B y M a r t y We i l 32 l Dialogue By Paul Tate Harvesting the Suggestion Box Too many manufacturers ignore the information generated by their customer service processes. Now an emerging set of tools can help them improve products and processes by capturing, analysing, and applying this valuable data. Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre Director David Stephenson talks about a techenabled business philosophy for manufacturing service. Cover Photo: Jupiterimages MANUFACTURING EXECUTIVE magazine is published April, September and November 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. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010541. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Station A, P.O. Box 12, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. Postmaster: Please send address changes and undeliverable U.S. addresses to MANAGING AUTOMATION, P.O. Box 1156, Skokie, IL 60076-9794. ©2008 by Thomas Publishing Company. November 2008 3
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