Manufacturing Discussions
great article. Although M2m has been here for a while. At this time, we have the computer capabilities and core telecommunication infrastructure to really take advantage of M2M. The example from the Brazilian government to reduce deforestation is the best example so far.
DBK
Putting M2M to Work
5/20/2013 10:25:51 PM
Linda Campbell is right; getting support for changes is really difficult and I believe that this is mainly because stakeholders want an idea or concept that's sure to offer a "productive" output. Although, as per Campbell's observations, M2M technology is already being used in different fields today, this is nothing compared to the changes Campbell suggested, where cars can communicate directly with each other. I guess the best way to bring in positive thinking stakeholders is by first showing them a definitive plan or example of how things will look like once M2M technology is leveraged into a higher level.
Gigi
The Future of M2M for OEMs
5/20/2013 11:49:09 PM
we're talking about a seismic shift in how people work and the potential elimination of millions and millions of jobs at a time when unemployment is a major issue all over the economies of North America and Europe.
@David, true loss of jobs is real concern. But then lets not forget same concerns were raised when computer was newly introduced. People thought computers will destroy jobs and will increase the unemployment rate, but in reality computers created many jobs.
batye
Poll Intro: 3D Printing’s Increasing Political Scrutiny
5/11/2013 6:55:58 PM
"They've been given a three-month extension (to July 3, 2013) to comply with the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 to come into effect."
Sudha, these companies know they will get minimum 3-4 times these 3 months extension until the final implementation. The same is happening for digitalization of cable networks and they got all together more than 3 years of extension.
Gigi
Indian OEMs Given an Extension
5/15/2013 3:05:20 AM
"India's new National Electronics Policy has made it immediately mandatory for all government organizations to give preference to domestically manufactured laptop PCs and tablet PCs. The move is designed to promote domestic manufacturing, but it's also believed to be in the interest of National Security."
Sudha, I agree with these types of policies and may be good in terms of domestic products and security. But how many companies &products we have to cater our requirements. For PC & laptop I think only HCL is going to benefit out of this.
Gigi
India's Government Procurement Policy May Have Affect on OEMs
5/21/2013 12:20:32 AM
Very interesting article, Curt. I think ther eis so much potential here that you just scratched the surface int he time that you had. For one, i think we need to combine this with perfume ads so that we have really great smelling wifi.
Gigi
Tiny Transformer
5/21/2013 12:22:49 AM
This quesiton of whether American and Chin switch places seems to be about whether you're willing to make a bet on someone seizing on an opportunity. It still seems like a guess to me whether it will happen. But i know this-- the only way America becomes a manufacturing powerhouse again is if IT helps us be so productive that we close the wage gap entirely.
Susan Nunziata
Trading Places: A Vision of the US as Manufacturing Power
4/30/2013 1:21:38 AM
Great post Curt, what a fascinating story. It's fun to learn about the business and technology decisions involved in getting these candy treats to market.
it's hard to imagine anyone making sense of information contained in 400 spreadsheets a month. This is a prime example of how mobility combined with business analytics can be used to improve operations.
What advice do you have for other organizations who may be considering a similar upgrade? What metrics should be considered as you weigh the ROI for a deployment of this scope?
the plant's owner said the robot has ended up creating new jobs at the facility in areas such as materials handling, parts prep, and finishing work, while relieving employees of a really boring task.
@Susan, thanks for the post. Its good to know that robots are creating new jobs but its also a known fact that they are destroying many jobs. I am curious to know the overall impact of robots on job market.
mejiac
OEM Automation, Robotics & Human Jobs
5/19/2013 2:47:11 PM
It is all about the love of old stuffs and not willing to spend money to improve. There are also some slight resistence from users (few of whom kind of do not like any changes). I wonder, how can someone still run a 15 year old ERP?
singlemud
Old & Bad ERP All Over Manufacturing
4/22/2013 3:09:26 PM
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:45:52 PM
Thanks, i should get on to my Poll wrap article. Nice talking to you guys.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:45:36 PM
Thank you, @Sara. And thanks, @Dave, for the great debate. Good topic!
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:45:26 PM
@Sara- It was huge in the 90's and expect it will be again. IT changed the way we ship product, manage inventory, etc
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:45:09 PM
Okay gentlemen, I'm afraid I must skedaddle. Thanks for the chat!
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:44:43 PM
We had similar problems with global supply chains in the '90s and we were able to fix those with MRP and ERP and other major changes to supply chains in the last decade
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:44:18 PM
I wonder how large a part IT systems integration plays in deciding what suppliers to use... that's just a passing thought
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:44:06 PM
@Curt- True, but not all countries or other types of geographical concentrations are built the same. But as you point out, this isn't the problem with the idea of cloud manufacturing for a single company. This is the problem of the large scale...
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:42:13 PM
@David, even when there are national concentrations there are generally options within the countries. If you build your product around a component that has only a single source, that's a design decision. It might or might not be a good decision,...
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:41:09 PM
Still, I'm all for doing this. I think it is important to design your suppliers and your in-house talent understanding what might happen.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:40:18 PM
For instance, there aren't very many places right now except Japan to get certain components for computers. That isn't because other places couldn't make them. It is because other places surrendered the market in order to specialize on somehting...
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:38:33 PM
Basically, this model relies on the belief that certain countries have centers of talent or resources. As we accept this and rely on it, the more you re-concentrate risk as economies specialize.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:37:05 PM
@Curt- No doubt this is true in many aspects of the company.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:36:40 PM
Multiple sources of silicon? Awesome. multiple sources of programming contractors? Harder, but possible. Multiple sources of people dealing with your proprietary data to build a new product for you? Frightening to most.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:36:19 PM
@David, I would argue that cloud manufacturing makes it ever more a question of choice rather than necessity.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:35:26 PM
@Curt- Well, the thing is that single vendor lock-in happens in two different ways. One way it happens is by choice, the other is by necessity.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:34:45 PM
It is absolutely true of materials sourcing. Human talent is harder to re-source. that said. The belief is that it will make things less vulnerable.
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:34:38 PM
@David, I think you're making an argument against "Single Vendor Lock-in" on a topic not related to IT infrastructure!
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:34:08 PM
maybe that's not the case with EVERY supplier, but I don't see how it's any worse than the status quo
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:33:49 PM
@David, the nice thing about cloud manufacturing is that it should be much easier to route around knots in individual hoses. There are thousands of fab operations around the world who would love to pick up emergency work building just about...
Thursday July 28, 2011 12:33:24 PM
It depends on what gets cut and how much you are willing to trust another small shop to pick up with no knowledge of your company or previous products.
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