The Edge Blog by ManagingAutomation.com
A Discussion of Business & Technology Issues Critical to Manufacturers
Jul 24, 2009 2:34 PM

Imagine strapping on a headset that senses your brainwaves and translates them into signals that control a computer or factory floor machine. The technology is here today, and it will be everywhere tomorrow...



Posted on Jul 24, 2009 2:34 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[7] |

Jul 21, 2009 3:54 PM

The death last week of Walter Cronkite has provoked an examination of the past, present, and future of journalism in this country. Manufacturers have a great deal at stake in how this examination plays out...



Posted on Jul 21, 2009 3:54 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[1] |

Jul 10, 2009 11:12 AM

Supply chain woes are putting the brakes on Boeing’s ability to push its 787 Dreamliner aircraft away from the gate and onto the tarmac. What went so wrong? 



Posted on Jul 10, 2009 11:12 AM |  Permalink   |  Comments[7] |

Jul 2, 2009 3:47 PM

As the state of California begins issuing IOUs in place of payments, one of its denizens sounds the call for a greater reliance on manufacturing...



Posted on Jul 2, 2009 3:47 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[5] |

Jun 26, 2009 4:00 PM

When RFID technology hit the supply chain scene on the coattails of the "Wal-Mart mandate," most people thought it was the end of the barcode scanner. Not so fast...



Posted on Jun 26, 2009 4:00 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

Jun 19, 2009 5:05 PM

This week I’m beginning a list of food products that haven’t been recalled due to E. Coli contamination. Nestlé’s Toll House brand almost made it, but, alas, its cookie dough appears to have come down with a curious case of E. Coli...



Posted on Jun 19, 2009 5:05 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

Jun 12, 2009 12:57 PM

Does a company have to be in trouble to innovate? Does a crisis situation create better conditions for innovation? Those were some of the questions that arose in the wake of this week's Progressive Manufacturing Summit...



Posted on Jun 12, 2009 12:57 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

Jun 8, 2009 8:13 AM

Now would be a good time for manufacturers to begin to change the capital-preservation-at-all-costs, bunker mentality that has dominated over the past 18 months and position themselves for recovery. Here are a few steps to consider...



Posted on Jun 8, 2009 8:13 AM |  Permalink   |  Comments[3] |

May 29, 2009 2:51 PM

Like lemmings jumping off a cliff, we’ve joined the social networking circles. But if you're like me, you're fumbling down a technology trail that doesn't always make sense. For your company's sake, it should...



Posted on May 29, 2009 2:51 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

May 22, 2009 4:39 PM

For years, manufacturers have ordered a steady stream of goods from China’s voluminous product catalog, all the while swallowing the associated risk. Will the recession finally make the risk too great?



Posted on May 22, 2009 4:39 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[2] |

May 15, 2009 2:55 PM

Members of InnoCentive's network are challenged to solve any of a range of science and engineering problems, with handsome cash prizes awaiting the winning solution.



Posted on May 15, 2009 2:55 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

May 8, 2009 4:23 PM

Rather than aggressively representing the rights and interests of user members, user group leaders often seem more interested in getting their smiling pictures taken onstage with the vendor’s CEO...



Posted on May 8, 2009 4:23 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

May 1, 2009 4:53 PM

How is Chrysler going to build an eco-friendly car without also conducting a major overhaul of U.S. factories? Technology advancements go beyond product R&D. In order to move Chrysler into the competitive category it must be ready to fund some automation and infrastructure upgrades...



Posted on May 1, 2009 4:53 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[1] |

Apr 24, 2009 5:09 PM

 the ability to drive change in organizations set in the old ways of thinking — and can take some examples from U.S. manufacturers doing just that.



Posted on Apr 24, 2009 5:09 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

Apr 21, 2009 9:24 PM

Ever since SAP announced its plan to raise maintenance prices, customers have been asking: What value will we get for this higher-priced product?



Posted on Apr 21, 2009 9:24 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

Apr 17, 2009 4:24 PM

U.S. manufacturers ought to be able to muster some positive PR to promote the profession along with their brands.



Posted on Apr 17, 2009 4:24 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

Apr 11, 2009 12:44 PM

A glance at some recent headlines may indicate a change in our economic fortunes.



Posted on Apr 11, 2009 12:44 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[4] |

Apr 3, 2009 8:12 PM

Why the hostility toward manufacturers while we're encouraged to swallow banks' mammoth bailouts and bank leaders get to keep their jobs and bonuses?



Posted on Apr 3, 2009 8:12 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[47] |

Mar 28, 2009 10:58 AM

Rethinking manufacturing has to be about more than a new controller on the assembly line like building a sustainable business model.



Posted on Mar 28, 2009 10:58 AM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |

Mar 20, 2009 4:02 PM

Student interest in IT and computing is up. But what about business and finance?



Posted on Mar 20, 2009 4:02 PM |  Permalink   |  Comments[0] |