PTC’s X-Factory shows a path to Industrie 4.0. Here we examine the assembly, testing and packaging, warehouse, production management, and solution integration for X-Factory.
Manufacturing
Process and discrete manufacturing
IoT: From Hype to Adoption – Part One
Small and medium manufacturers and wholesale distributors are trying to determine where IoT fits into their business strategies, within the constraints of limited budgets, inhouse expertise, bandwidth, and technical resources. This requires prioritizing many potential IoT initiatives. In part one of this two-part series, we look at three areas that manufacturers and distributors are implementing IoT: 1) on the plant floor, 2) in supply chain and logistics, and 3) in service and repair.
End-to-End at E2open
At the recent E2open Leaders’ Forum, we learned more about their vision, approach, and roadmap to providing a comprehensive end-to-end platform and network. Recent acquisitions have punctuated the differences in strategy from other network platform providers.
How Infor is Helping to Realize Human Potential
At Inforum 2018, we learned more about the third phase of Infor’s evolution, addressing the future of work, AI, and human potential. Their Control Center announcement was of particular importance in the emerging race to implement autonomous supply chain capabilities. We also take a look at the role that HCM and Talent Science plays.
The Rise and Fall of the Demand Planner
In our continuing series on Thinking Machines, we discuss the role of the Demand Planner as an essential protagonist within the corporation. The Demand Planner is a star in the supply chain, interacting with all levels within the enterprise. But now, could the Demand Planner be replaced by AI?
Will AI Bring Another Gilded Age?
AI has the potential to make society better, but history has shown us the potential for these kinds of major economic transformations to cause society-wide upheaval and disruption as well. A lot will depend on the response of our governments in helping people make the transition to new skills and jobs.
How Some Manufacturers and Distributors Are Thriving in the Age of Amazon: Part One – Differentiating
Amazon (and others) have profoundly raised customer expectations for frictionless commerce, fast-free delivery, and nearly infinite selection. This impacts not just retailers, but manufacturers and distributors as well. Here we explore three examples of companies thriving in this competitive environment by differentiating with unique services and experiences.
Enabling Growth: More Than Just a Tagline for NetSuite
At this year’s SuiteWorld conference, we heard about new developments and numerous customer examples showing how NetSuite enabled their growth.
Healthy Growth and Innovations Highlighted at Ariba Live
SAP Ariba is getting serious about managing direct materials spend, as well as innovating in areas such as machine learning, blockchain, integrating with other networks, and more. We explore these and other highlights from this year’s Ariba Live conference.
Diverse Use Cases at Autodesk Accelerate 2016
The use cases on display at Autodesk’s Accelerate 2016 showed the breadth of capabilities for their PLM suite.
Inforum 2016 – Diverse Innovation on Display
At Inforum, we got a good sense of the energy, innovation, and ability to evolve that is keeping Infor competitive.