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Digital Factory Portal
Digital Factory Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources
Welcome to the Automation.com portal for Digital Factory where controls and automation professionals find the latest information to identify and apply the tools for design, simulation, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), ERP, supply chain management, lean manufacturing, security, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
The Digital Factory portal covers the manufacturing process that links product design, product data management, virtual factory layout and manufacturing simulation with real-world automation hardware and software. The target audience for this portal is those tasked with the integration of solutions required to take a product through all stages of manufacturing - from the initial design through to final production.
Get the latest information on Digital Factory sent to your desktop as soon as they are published on this page.
Articles
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Major Automation & Control Trends in 2012
- 01/16/12 Automation.com, January 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Here are my thoughts on major automation and control trends in 2012. These opinions are based on a wide range of inputs from users, suppliers and industry consultants, and from attending numerous industry forums, conferences and trade shows every year. |
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Managing Process Plants for Failure
- 12/19/11 Automation.com, December 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor Companies are looking for ways to improve efficiency and profits but the use of and Real-Time Optimization (RTO) including Advanced Process Control (APC) is still limited. Why? |
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Lean Production with Work Process Management
By Greg Millinger and Alicia Bowers, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms By maintaining automated control over a process with Work Process Management, companies can have a much better chance of reducing waste for the longer term. Includes Lean Six Sigma glossary. |
White Papers
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Models for MES In an Enterprise Architecture
- 07/04/11 Automation.com, July 2011 By Don Fraser, Jacobs This paper describes the modeling techniques applied for the integration of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) into enterprise architecture. The MES complements the ERP system by providing essential production information in a fully integrated environment that reduces the dependence on manual data entry. |
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ERP Software Feature Checklist
- 08/27/10 By Software Advice This detailed Excel spreadsheet outlines the core features that you should consider as you develop your ERP software requirements. Rate ERP software systems against each feature based on the detailed definitions of each feature to create a side-by-side comparison matrix. |
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Information Strategies for Manufacturing Sustainability
- 01/31/10 By GE Intelligent Platforms Manufacturers can greatly benefit from an integrated “big picture” view of their operations, whereby they can measure environmental factors alongside other operational metrics to gain visibility into where they may be disrupting stable processes, or conversely, where they are accepting waste simply because they do not realize it. |
Application Stories
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Integrating process control systems
- 12/29/11 Control Engineering, December 2011 By Jerry Steenhoek, Interstates Control Systems Interstates integrated a plant-wide information system for an unnamed manufacturer using FactoryTalk applications with the PlantPAx Process Automation System from Rockwell Automation. |
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Utilizing asset data for predictive asset management
- 12/07/11 InTech, December 2011 By Alexandre Augusto da Silva, et al Asset management is enabling Braskem, a Brazilian petrochemical company and a leading producer of thermoplastic resins, to move toward predictive maintenance and away from costly preventive and reactive maintenance. |
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Werum supplies MES to Novo Nordisk
- 12/06/11 The program will implement a globally standardized ERP/MES solution on the basis of SAP and Werum’s PAS-X. |
Resources & Literature
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When Worlds Collide in Manufacturing Operations: ISA-95 Best Practices Book 2.0 - $109.00
Book 2.0 explains how to implement ISA-95 workflow applications in Mfg 2.0 to execute operations tasks through the MOM and physical process levels while coordinating them to streamline plant operations and align those operations with ever-changing supply chain processes. |
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How Lean are your manufacturing processes?
Motorola Survey Find out how lean your manufacturing processes are by completing a survey customized to your area of responsibility. We’ll immediately calculate your Lean and Mobility scores and benchmark them against an industry standard. You’ll also receive a FREE customized report, prepared with the assistance of R. Michael Donovan & Co., an internationally recognized lean consultant. This comprehensive report analyzes your scores and identifies ways to boost the impact of lean practices in your organization. |
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ABB launches Process Automation Insights Blog
- 06/02/11 ABB started a new blog focused on Process Automation. The blog hosts discussions on timely topics including Collaboration, Control Systems, Evolution, IEC61850, Integration, Migration and Safety. |
Training News
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Francis Tuttle Technology Center awarded for Manufacturing Education
- 11/22/11 SME selects Francis Tuttle Technology Center as one of six exemplary schools for community-based manufacturing education. |
Training & Seminars
Cartoons
Featured Products
Product Announcements
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aPriori updates Machining Cost Management software
- 12/06/11
Enhancements in aPriori 2011r2 include costing capabilities for companies with high tolerance machining practices that machine components from stock. |
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Savigent upgrades Catalyst xM workflow automation software
- 10/18/11
Enhancements in V2.5 include Open Data Protocol (OData) support and server functionality for distributed data center and private cloud deployments. |
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Red Lion Controls adds SQL Sync to Crimson 3.0 software
- 05/08/11
SQL Sync service allows customers to synchronize logged data from their G3 HMIs directly with Microsoft’s SQL Server, eliminating the need for third-party software or a custom script. |
Company & Organization News
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How China is Stealing Our Secrets
- 01/22/12 PD&D, January 2012 By Michael P. Collins U.S. Intelligence agencies say that both Russia and China steal technology information over the internet as a matter of national policy. It is hard to say if China is still the red menace from the cold war, or if they have morphed into a new form of winner-take-all amoral version of capitalism. |
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Automation crossroads: Product definitions narrow
- 01/15/12 Plant Engineering, December 2011 Frost & Sullivan’s vision of the factory of the future is catalyzed by five megatrends—cyber security, mobile and wireless technology, enterprise ecosystem, cloud computing and sustainability. These megatrends will influence all aspects of an industrial enterprise. |
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InduSoft Announces SCADA in the Cloud Webinar
- 12/07/11 Free webinar on December 14, 2011 will demonstrate how to leverage Cloud computing for supervisory control and data acquisition projects. |
Project News
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IFS to supply ERP to Meggitt (Maryland)
- 12/21/11 Meggitt will implement IFS Business Performance, Financials, Distribution, Manufacturing, Engineering/Product Design, Maintenance, Sales and Support, and Human Resources. |
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Epicor to supply ERP to DRB
- 12/08/11 DRB Group selected the Epicor enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to replace its 20-year old business systems. |
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AVEVA to supply Enterprise Asset Management to Salamander
- 09/20/11 Salamander Energy will install AVEVA WorkMate Enterprise Asset Management solution across all of its process plants in Indonesia and Thailand. |
Event News
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Industrial Supply 2012 Showcases U.S. Industrial Subcontractors
- 12/06/11 Leaders in the subcontracting business will be presenting their latest product developments in industrial materials to a vast audience attending HANNOVER MESSE. |
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HANNOVER MESSE 2012 focuses on sustainability
- 11/21/11 By adopting "greentelligence" as its keynote theme, HANNOVER MESSE 2012 has put the spotlight squarely on green technologies as a central growth driver for industry. |
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Deutsche Messe expands in Asia-Pacific region
- 07/27/11 Deutsche Messe expanded its office premises in Tokyo and signed a representative for Indonesia. |
Events
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