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By Thomas Seubert, Contributing Author Over the past two years (since the end of the recession), there have been some disturbing trends within manufacturing, specifically the automation/controls engineering profession. The author highlights these trends and suggests actions to counteract them.

By Bill Nolan, Rootstock Software Many regulated manufacturers use paper-or Excel-based processes to address compliance. For discrete manufacturers who are required to have FDA CFR compliance, the Salesforce1 Platform connected an ERP system offers some distinct advantages.

By David J. Bush, C.P.I.M In early 2012, we began an earnest search for a replacement for our legacy ERP system. We wanted a new ERP package that could handle the needs of our electronics industry demands. We were in for a big and disappointing surprise.

By Dr. Arne Linder, Kollmorgen Decentralizing servo technology can bring machine and plant construction savings during installation. Two additional advantages include reduced cabinet heat loads and more straight forward drive architecture. The question arises however, which technology is better, an integrated motor/drive solution or a detached motor and drive?

By Jan Baan, Founder, Vanenburg Software The Pace-Layered Application Strategy Model from Gartner distinguishes three layers, which are helping organizations improve their applications by categorizing, selecting, managing and educating themselves on those applications.

By Rick Delgado, Freelance Technology Writer When it comes to big data analytics, manufacturing companies have discovered numerous use cases and applications, all of which bring notable benefits in a highly competitive marketplace.

The primary driver for the global engineering software market is the growing demand for automation, along with an additional demand for integrated solutions adoption.

Jeff Pope, Manager of Facility Decommissioning & Demolition Services at Burns & McDonnell recently spoke with marcus evans about topics to be discussed at the upcoming 2nd Power Plant Decommissioning Process Optimization Conference

By Michael Marlowe, Automation Federation Automation jobs require a combination of technical know-how combined with interpersonal skills, making them a great fit for veterans.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Many industry experts believe OPC UA is an enabling technology for the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0. OPC UA enables multivendor multiplatform secure reliable interoperability for moving data and information from the embedded world to the enterprise.

The market increasingly demands individualized products. Product life cycles are getting shorter and average lot sizes are getting smaller. Considering this, cost efficient production in a globalized and resource limited environment requires a highly flexible (IT-) infrastructure that also works well in cross-enterprise networks. It requires a reshaped automation data pyramid.

By Chris Hansford, Hansford Sensors Discusses the importance of preserving high levels of performance in automation equipment and how this can be achieved using reliable vibration measurement equipment.

By Mike Roberts, LNS Research With mobile-enabled quality management at our doorstep, it’s important to know what’s coming and what’s already available at some levels. There are three key functionalities you can expect to see in the not too distant future.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Doug McCuistion described the challenge that the Mars Exploration Program presented and how they took a “project-by-project” approach to achieve one of the most monumental space exploration feats of the century. This article highlights some engineering lessons that I extracted from his discussion about overcoming their obstacles.

By Pat Garrehy, Rootstock Manufacturers are finding that their markets have changed, caused by both business and consumer-altered demands. For those who have undergone significant business change, what was used as criteria to select the legacy ERP system of the past is no longer relevant.

By James Floyd and Cole Downing, Logic Supply, Inc. Should you accept a higher-priced, bundled automation PC with your system or select one on your own? Here are 6 things you need to ask your vendor to (a) assess whether independent PC selection makes sense and (b) to configure a unit that will meet your needs.

By Thomas R. Cutler Holistic is not the first word that comes to mind regarding automation; neither is order-taker. Yet thousands of interviews over the past twenty years have revealed that many system integrators who provide automation services, particularly in material handling, better match the description of order-takers.

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 Peter Engstrom, STEUTE Industrial Controls There is a large selection of devices for transmitting and receiving continuously variable parameters like flow, but there has been little available in the way of wireless devices for generating and receiving simple "on-off" signals. This is changing.