Abstract: The challenges that face the manufacturing industry today are also opportunities. Manufacturing is being revolutionized in its processes, routines, and ways of doing business through the growing emergence of order driven production methods. This shift towards demand driven manufacturing is emerging in tandem with the larger currents caused by globalization. This cross industry brief focuses on the manufacturing industry from the standpoint of a demand driven IT solution and is aimed at manufacturing and distribution businesses. It describes some major market trends and issues, provides an overview of IBS supply chain solution, and offers details on how the IBS solution for demand driven manufacturing can address current needs of the industry.

Abstract: For many life sciences organizations, a key impediment to compliant manufacturing operations remains the disconnect between enterprise and plant systems. This results in unsynchronized business processes and inadequate use of resources, which in turn increases the risk of non-compliance and inadequate quality of finished products. Find out why simply connecting systems is not enough to fully overcome these challenges.

Abstract: An integrated steel plant’s manufacturing processes typically encompass three distinct types of manufacturing—flow manufacturing, process manufacturing, and mill manufacturing—making such a plant a mixed-mode manufacturer. Software systems that address the diverse needs these manufacturers have cannot be emphasized more.

Abstract: Hiring the former APICS president to head its manufacturing industry efforts a year ago, the high profile acquisition of renowned manufacturing ERP provider J.D. Edwards this summer, and most recently, the acquisition of demand flow and lean manufacturing software solutions from JCIT, might indicate that PeopleSoft has finally gotten its manufacturing creed. Will these moves finally and lastingly establish it as a serious contender in the manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) space?

Abstract: As apparel and textile companies move to outsourcing production—relinquishing direct control in favor of a more cost-effective manufacturing model—a lean supply chain may appear to be the next logical step for further implementing cost and operational improvement. Not so, however. You can’t have a lean supply chain without lean manufacturing. Regardless of whether you or your partners engage in production, lean manufacturing is the lean engine that drives lean supply chain efficiencies. Accordingly, the business requirement for stability in a constantly changing demand environment motivates the fashion industry’s search for lean supply chain management principles and practices. Intentia, in cooperation with industry experts, have written a series of thought leadership white papers on the concept of implementing lean supply chain in the fashion industry. The second of this series, From Lean Manufacturing to Lean Supply Chain explains how lean manufacturing relates to lean supply chain management and where it differs and sometimes conflicts.

Abstract: Managing Your Supply Chain Using Microsoft Axapta provides an overall understanding of how the system fits together to run a manufacturing or distribution business. This book excerpt focuses on running the business from the top with sales and operations planning (S&OP). Variation in operations affect the S&OP process and the nature of demand impacts the S&OP game plans.

Abstract: An effective sales and operations planning game plan results in fewer stock-outs, shorter delivery lead-times, higher on-time shipping percentages, a manageable amount of expediting, and improved customer service. Several guidelines are suggested to improve a firm's sales and operations planning process and the effectiveness of each product's game plan. This is an excerpt from the book Managing Your Supply Chain Using Microsoft Navision.

Abstract: Even before the mega merger, PeopleSoft had already set it sights on a bigger manufacturing presence. PeopleSoft’s acquisition of mid-to-large ERP system developer J.D. Edwards this summer, and most recently demand flow and lean manufacturing software solution from JCIT, might indicate some deep though process rather than a number of impulse initiatives from the past.

Abstract: The majority of IT organizations are under great pressure to evolve to a next-generation network operations center (NOC). A survey of 176 IT professionals has revealed that over a quarter of NOCs don’t meet their organization’s current needs for application performance management. Learn how to migrate away from the current stove-piped NOC to an integrated operations center that effectively supports all components of IT.

Abstract: In the life sciences industry, marketing operations (in particular the packaging, labeling, and final steps of new product development) remain virtually untouched by the computerized systems integration pervading the rest of the sector. However, cost-effective approaches do exist for digital workflow and asset management software and services, and can provide you with a wealth of cost savings and operations efficiencies.

Abstract: All companies use some form of sales and operations planning (S&OP) to synchronize market data with production output. But most practice a planning process based on logistics rather than strategy. Taking a more strategic approach, however, the S&OP process can be designed to bring together a company’s marketing, finance, sales, and operations departments to continuously monitor—and meet—customer demand.

Abstract: Achieving operational excellence is fundamental for Yanacocha, the largest gold producer in South America. In 1999, Yanacocha decided it needed an online system linking its principal management areas (operations, maintenance, logistics, finance, and human resources), in order to optimize efficiency in administering its assets. It turned to Mincom Ellipse as its corporate management system, allowing standardization of its operations worldwide.

Abstract: To store its wealth of transactional data, Trail Operations employs an ERP solution comprised of JDEdwards, Process Data Historian (PDH) and EtQ systems. To ensure proactive rather than reactive business decisions, it is imperative that management at Trail Operations have reliable and timely access to this data. While their ERP solution met all of management’s data capture requirements, its cumbersome reporting capabilities proved inhibitive to providing the key performance indicator (KPI) information necessary for quickly recognizing trends and driving improvements.

Abstract: Vantage 8.0 is the next generation manufacturing solution developed by Epicor Software Corporation. It builds on the successes of the Vista, Vantage, Avanté and other associated discrete manufacturing product lines by introducing a total manufacturing solution for the midmarket. It is built to leverage the Microsoft® .NET Framework™ and Progressreg® OpenEdge™ Business Platform in order to provide a leading-edge technological solution that offers Epicor’s manufacturing customers a framework that will support their business needs now and in the future.

Abstract: Sales and operations planning (S&OP) is a practical way to streamline manufacturing operations. With a disjointed view of your company’s departments, it’s impossible to make decisions about where to allocate resources or which parts of the company have excess capacity. S&OP helps fix this by delivering one set of numbers from one planning period to the next, and allows you to track your effort over time. Learn more.

Abstract: The market place is awash with many kinds of manufacturing scheduling systems. Due to the dynamic nature of the manufacturing shop floor, it is of utmost importance that a manufacturing scheduling system can take care of these dynamic conditions.

Abstract: As with any manufacturing operation, process manufacturing has special system requirements such as formulas, unit of measure conversions, and packaging recipes. However, within the realm of process manufacturing, specific industries have needs that are more critical than others. This article explores these critical needs for the food and beverage, chemical, and a hybrid industry (textiles), so that you can focus on these requirements when evaluating enterprise-wide software.

Abstract: As with any manufacturing operation, process manufacturing has special system requirements such as formulas, unit of measure conversions, and packaging recipes. However, within the realm of process manufacturing, specific industries have needs that are more critical than others. This article explores these critical needs for the food and beverage, chemical, and a hybrid industry -- textiles, so that you can focus on these requirements when evaluating enterprise-wide software.