Articles and News

By Nigel Rozier, Raima From batch processing to sophisticated real-time processes, effective data management is the key to boosting efficiency, increasing productivity and reducing costs in industrial applications. This article explores the role of data management solutions embedded within industrial automation systems.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Manufacturing Intelligence (MI) systems allow the aggregation and subsequent visualization and analysis of data to drive business decisions. Pharmaceutical companies share their companies' perspectives on MI solutions and their implementation plans.

By Mike Roberts, LNS Research In this article, we’ll present key preliminary findings from a joint survey between LNS Research and MESA International focused on identifying the top metrics and best practices that are driving the most results for manufacturing business leaders today.

By Bill Lydon, Editor The automation benchmarking survey of leading pharmaceutical companies reveals how these manufacturers are dealing with some of the latest industry trends. Topics of the survey include big data utilization, return on investment, major innovations, organizational structures, in-house vs.contract staff, automation management and challenges. How does your company compare?

Expanded Metal selected the Epicor enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to replace its existing ERP software and support its international operations.

Rootstock’s Cloud ERP will replace the on-premise legacy ERP software, which will consolidate all of Pioneer’s key metrics onto the Force.complatform.

Singapore-based port equipment engineering solutions provider Portek Systems & Equipment, has gone live with the Epicor enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.

MicroStrain Sensing Systems provides embedded sensing systems for aerospace and industrial markets.

By Chad Sullivan, 5 Star measurement, et al Five Star Measurement of Weatherford, Texas uses Software Toolbox's Electronic Flow Measurement (EFM) Suite to remotely monitor and manage more than 700 wellheads as an initial stage that may eventually expand to 6,000 sites.

By Mike Roberts, LNS Research Today’s manufacturing environment exudes more data than most companies know what to do with. While this data can be one of your greatest assets, in many cases it’s surfacing as a source of confusion and proving too difficult and costly to manage. For many, IT architecture is actually the foremost challenge for achieving visibility into manufacturing operations.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Big data is a term used to describe large, complex collections of data sets. Big data is a hot topic in business, manufacturing, and IT circles because, if utilized correctly, it provides an opportunity for companies to improve efficiency and productivity. The challenge for many organizations is that in order for big data to be used most effectively, the organizational silos within companies need to cooperate.

NGLTech develops solutions for the improvement and enhancement of processes in upstream oil & gas.

The calculator, based on Microsoft Excel, allows users to quickly and simply generate an estimate of potential savings on a production line as a result of OEE improvements.

Prior to selecting Epicor ERP, Taco used a legacy system for the last 17 years that could no longer support increased operations due to a combination of in-house applications and multiple code modifications.

The system will enable Statoil personnel onshore to continuously monitor the new fixed platform’s critical and essential pumps, compressors and other mechanical equipment to maximize efficiency and identify any potential problems before they affect production.

Statoil will use Proficy SmartSignal predictive-diagnostic software and services to improve the uptime and increase the reliability of heavy rotating equipment such as gas turbines, generators and compressors.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Ted Krevis of Sherwin Williams gave an enthusiastic presentation about their HMI software implementation at Inductive Automation’s Ignition User Conference last fall. I had the opportunity to talk personally with Krevis and the Lead Software Developer about their experiences using Ignition software. Below is a synopsis of my interview.

Werum is a provider of software for production control and production monitoring for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry.

Northeast Lantern selected Rootstock’s Cloud Manufacturing ERP to track inventory and have vision on its production flow on the floor.

By Greg Goodwin, LNS Research In a manufacturing organization, understanding what’s happening at the plant level is crucial because it’s where the rubber really hits the road. Having visibility into shop-floor operations is important for achieving several company goals, like meeting customer demands, identifying lagging assets, and reducing manufacturing costs.