Abstract: Most of the manufacturing software vendors have planning and scheduling software which assume either infinite production capacity for calculating quantities of raw material and work in progress (WIP) requirements or infinite quantities of raw and WIP materials for calculating production capacity. There are many problems with this approach. This paper discusses the pitfalls of this approach and how to avoid these by making sure that the software you buy indeed takes into account finite quantities of required materials as well as finite capacities of work centers in your manufacturing facility.

Abstract: Primarily due to rapid development of technology in the past thirty years, the market structure throughout the world has changed considerably. Local markets have become accessible to foreign manufacturers, who are able to perform well in their newly established territories in part due to their superior application of technology. In this light, most companies, including small and medium size, have embedded globalization in their expansion strategies, consistently seeking for new markets abroad. Consequently, local manufacturing companies are facing global competition, forcing them to adopt new concepts with respect to people, process and technologies. This document describes these approaches to production planning in detail as well outlines a software solution. The software solution (Production/3) combines both pull and push techniques and enables small to medium size organizations to fully automate their production system while retaining their investment in their legacy enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Abstract: With a turnover of CHF 85 billion and 470 sites, Nestle is the world's largest food group. Learn how Nestle is able to plan its production and to accommodate finite capacity calculations in terms of manpower and material resources, strategic material availability, and through the significant production constraints of Nestle's different production environments.

Abstract: Card auditing and calculating takes a great deal of time, particularly for companies using full-time time-keepers to calculate and audit time cards. If the time cards are handwritten, it takes even more time to review, calculate, edit, and (typically) re-enter the data into a payroll system. However, automation reduces audit time by pre-processing punches against rules defined within the system.

Abstract: Rising costs, stagnating circulation figures, and ever-increasing competition for advertisers—times have never been tougher for newspaper and magazine publishers. It takes reliable, up-to-the-minute information to deliver the products and high-quality service your customers demand. But all too often, business processes span multiple departments and information technology (IT) systems, slowing responsiveness and impeding access to crucial facts and figures.

Abstract: Enterprises understand the value of integration. One area that has been ignored is the plant. Plant systems and corporate systems must be complementary and leverage each other to provide their maximum value. Production intelligence provides both integration and valuable information which is not available in either type of system.

Abstract: Iwate Toshiba, a semiconductor fabricator, sought a supply chain solution to resolve recurring production issues. The solution had to be capable of quickly planning and scheduling lots during peak production, providing accurate order commitments, reducing planning cycles for production, optimize use of production resources, and achieving a more accurate supply chain model by integrating business planning with factory-level scheduling.

Abstract: The textile industry is famous for its very different characteristics when compared to industries in either process or discrete manufacturing. Developing production planning and scheduling software for any textile mill is a real challenge even for seasoned industry experts. This article focuses on some of the unique challenges posed to master requirement planning and master production scheduling (MRP / MPS) software vendors by the textile industry.

Abstract: Invensys has created a new group within its Production Management Division called Invensys Production Solutions. The group includes the PRISM and Protean process ERP products plus the resources of Invensys Validation Services group. While the unit should have much strength, it also has certain liabilities that must be addressed.

Abstract: Manufacturers know that production scrap can come from just about anywhere: from the ordered parts that don’t fit into a finished assembly, or from a physical prototype you’ve used and discarded. Whatever the case, the scrap—and any rework needed to fix the problem—costs you time or money, or both. Learn how you can overcome the most serious causes of production scrap with a product lifecycle management (PLM) solution.

Abstract: Learn how Welch's found a solution that would give it the ability to optimize and coordinate its short-term production schedules while building long-term master production schedule (MPS) based on the capacity constraints, inventory targets, and manpower.

Abstract: Real-time data warehouses are common in some organizations. This article reviews the basic concepts of a real-time data warehouse and it will help you determine if your organization needs this type of IT solution.

Abstract: This white paper discusses how session initiation protocol (SIP), real-time transport protocol (RTP), and extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP) can work together to harness the unique strengths of each protocol within and across applications. Each protocol has a role in powering the real-time Internet, and this paper highlights how they complement each other to create a whole solution.

Abstract: For real estate companies, poor property management can be disastrous, increasing both costs and maintenance problems. The end result: dissatisfied customers—and poor competitive prospects. Communication is also integral to property management, so to keep its customers happy and to improve its maintenance practices, Inmobiliaria Colonial, a major Spanish real estate company, decided to implement an enterprise portal solution.

Abstract: It can be a real problem keeping prices competitive when manufacturing costs are soaring. Over-pack and giveaway can be a huge drain on company profits. However, real-time weight control software can pay tremendous dividends if implemented properly. Integrating a weight control database into an existing system can reduce errors, “fool-proof” data collection, and shift the system from reactive to proactive.

Abstract: Today’s leading-edge business applications go beyond mere Web enablement, where publishing information to the Web is the primary motive (referred to nowadays as Web 1.0 applications). State-of-the-art enterprise software must also incorporate a single, integrated interface that links applications instantly to business processes and collaborative technologies. However, developing Web 2.0 applications is anything but trivial.

Abstract: For Technology vendors, credibility is the ability to sell. Credibility is vital, is hard to build, and easy to lose. Building credibility doesn't have to be costly. This article touches on the concepts you can employ to build your credibility. These concepts are the basis for a seminar presented by The Credibility Forum.

Abstract: In the larger schema of things, SOA would espouse general, more abstract concepts of software reusability and encapsulation within certain boundaries (as to then provide access to that software via defined interfaces), Web services would then make these SOA concepts vendor-independent due to their use of generally accepted standards, while BPM and BPEL would be some of the engines making the whole system work.