Articles and News

According to a study of more than 281 manufacturing executives, 75 percent report using desktop spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel instead of their company’s ERP.

In the study of more than 281 manufacturing executives, only 27 percent of respondents were performing any functions in enterprise software using a mobile device.

Automation.com, June 2011 By Nuris Ismail and Matthew Littlefield Aberdeen surveyed over 150 executives about the current state of their manufacturing operations and industrial networks. This article explores how the industry leaders are taking advantage of industrial networking to enable real-time visibility into data to optimize production, maintenance, and safety.

Only 40% believe the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months, down from 60% three months earlier. At the same time, 26% believe the U.S. economy will get worse, up from 3%.

Emerson supplied more than 1000 Fisher control valves, FIELDVUE digital valve controllers, and AMS ValveLink SNAP-ON software to the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij Groningen gas field in The Netherlands.

Aegis’ xLink software will gather real-time data from production/test equipment, and bridge the entire solution to the existing ERP system.

Automation.com, June 2011 By Gregory Wilcox, Mike Hannah and Mark Devonshire Industry experts predicted that node cost, determinism issues and security risks would prohibit Ethernet’s growth into manufacturing, but it’s clear that this prediction hasn’t held true. We've experienced a swift rise and widespread industry adoption of Ethernet.

Automation.com, June 2011 By J. Timothy Shea, VDC Research Group VDC Research partnered with Automation.com to conduct an extensive initiative into the market for wireline and wireless industrial networking infrastructure product markets. Recent research found that the demand outlook for wireline and wireless industrial networking infrastructure products will be quite healthy through 2015.

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.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Brian McDonald, Cisco Systems In the new global business environment, manufacturers are facing some of the toughest operational and strategic challenges in recent memory. Any new investment must pay for itself either through operational savings or revenue growth.

Collaborative Product Development Associates CPDA) is a provider of critical analyses of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) activities.

NovaTech will resell PAS’ Integrity software, which maps the configuration of automation systems including Distributed Control Systems, PLCs, Historians, and Safety Instrumented Systems.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor ABB creates new role, appoints Brice Koch, to oversee relations with ABB’s largest customers and the development of opportunities in strategic growth areas such as rail, wind, water, solar, energy efficiency and smart grids. Koch will also be responsible for developing ABB’s service business.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor The PlantTriage "true believers" gathered at the ExperTune User Conference from around the world to improve their skills and share their project successes. The conference focused on ways to improve process control performance with training, access to industry experts, and case studies.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Roy Kok Over the years, we’ve had sensor upgrades, improved controllers, better operator visibility, data archiving and analytics, and now we have enterprise integration for improved material management, corporate agility, regulatory compliance and a host of other features.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Jay Mellen, Savigent Software Logic PD implemented a system to fully automate Logic tracking and control of its box-build processes. The new system empowers Logic PD to scale faster, bring products to market more rapidly, increase customer visibility, and improve overall manufacturing efficiencies.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Thomas R. Cutler Within the manufacturing sector, particularly those involved in Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing, there are special issues and challenges that typical ERP implementations don't address.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor The size of Hannover Fair can be overwhelming but there were industry and technology trends reflected in products and presentations at the event. Here are some specific examples for illustration - in most cases there are many more companies that have products supporting these trends.

Parsec Automation recently completed the relocation of its worldwide headquarters from Brea, Calif. to larger facilities in Anaheim, Calif.

Savigent provided Logic PD with the ability to fully automate execution and electronic record management of its box-build processes.