Pace-setting companies, we’re told, are developing ‘e-manufacturing’ systems to complement their existing e-commerce – and putting themselves in the vanguard of those able to respond fast to changing demand and opportunities globally. But there’s a price to pay if you get it wrong. Brian Wall talks to four organisations about risk management and how to get it right.
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Last month saw the launch of a significant new offer from the celebrated Goldratt Institute, with heavyweights SAP, IBM, Mapics, Gartner and others that could at last get IT in manufacturing seriously profitable. Brian Tinham examines the state of play for 2001.
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As users are bombarded with ‘e’ and the web, Manufacturing Computer solutions’
e-manufacturing campaign sorts the sense from the nonsense. In this second report on our eForum event, Brian Tinham uncovers what web technologies should be bringing to your manufacturing and supply chain management and engineering design – and the implications.
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Diesel engine manufacturer, Cummins Diesel has managed to slash its new engine inventory by £4 million over the last four years – and is now introducing e-business. Dean Palmer finds out how.
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When Caterpillar Building Construction Products decided to build a new range of compact wheel loaders and mini excavators at its Leicester facility, it triggered a move to transform its supply chain management, which is becomingcould be a benchmark for others. Brian Tinham reports.
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Real business improvements don’t always come easy. But Thales, the Glasgow-based manufacturer of electro-optic equipment, shows that a planned, step-by-step approach is a practical way, writes Dean Palmer.
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When Madras and Nottingham Lace maker Morton, Young and Borland needed to transform itself for the 21st Century, it implemented integrated IT without losing its craft foundations. Brian Tinham reports.
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ERP is dead: long live ERP! In the huge diverse middle manufacturing sector, modern ERP is absolutely providing the foundation for a whole spread of important add-ons that are increasingly essential. John Dwyer explains.
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The sheer scale of differences between the process industries and discrete manufacturing makes most modern ERP systems, which were developed primarily for the latter, a poor fit with the former. John Dwyer looks at the sector and discovers different functionality but some identical issues.
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Supply chain and enterprise IT isjust as much at home in process businesses – although links to plant remain limited. Brian Tinham talks to Neil Crew, Princes’ manufacturing systems manager.
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When motor sport manufacturer and rally operator RML needed to jump-start its complex engineering, manufacturing and rally project business it found a modern ‘make-to-order’ enterprise system could do even more than it expected. Brian Tinham reports.
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Effective and efficient supply chain operations require more than just integration: you need trust, business arrangements, collaboration and synchronisation. Frank Booty explains.
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Making a success out of IT for Rolls-Royce’s combustion systems division is being achieved by constantly focusing on ‘customer value’ and ‘value streams’. Brian Tinham talks to Ian Farquhar, IT director, about how it’s being done.
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Manufacturing enterprises everywhere are under growing pressure to take the ‘e’ leap. And the claimed benefits are legion. But how do you build a winning e-business strategy? Brian Wall takes up the challenge.
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Seals manufacturer AES Engineering says there’s more to e-business than simply getting transactions moving over the web. Brian Davis reports.
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Integration of disparate IT across the enterprise is a problem for many UK businesses. A year ago, cab-maker, London Taxis International (LTI), was no exception. But, as Dean Palmer discovers, an ERP system from IFS is helping to solve the issue.
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When small specialist motorsport pipes and hoses manufacturer Goodridge wanted to gear up for growth it went for IT slightly out of its league. But it paid off, says Brian Tinham.
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Celestica is a member of the fast-growing, highly competitive electronics contract-manufacturing market. Dean Palmer discovers that supply chain visibility and collaboration are key to the company's success.
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As we enter the official new millennium, it’s time again to reassess our manufacturing businesses and then IT that underpins them. Brian Tinham hears it from those at the top in the enterprise software vendor community.
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Asking supply chain IT vendors how manufacturers should devise an IT strategy reveals some contradictions and concerns about enterprise systems. But it also shows a lot of common sense and shrewd insights, as John Dwyer discovers.
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Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, IBM and their ilk provide the platforms upon which our manufacturing businesses infrastructures increasingly so depend. Brian Tinham dips into their strategic thinking and advice.
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In an exclusive interview for MCS, Dr Eli Goldratt, author of the manufacturing management best seller The Goal, whose new book ‘Necessary but not Sufficient’ has just been published, speaks to Brian Tinham about where software companies and the manufacturers they serve are getting IT badly wrong.
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An integrated, web-based parts ordering system for its caravan and after sales dealerships is increasing ABI’s efficiencies hugely. Frank Booty checks out the lessons to be learned from a firm that ramped from nothing to integrated systems within 18 months.
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As a result of its new e-business aftermarket strategy, Perkins Engines, a UK manufacturer of diesel engines, predicts a 5-10% increase in revenue from spare parts and maintenance services. Dean Palmer reports.
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Getting serious e-business working for a company the size and diversity of Rolls-Royce is forcing a complete re-examination of everything from business processes and working practices to the IT itself. Brian Tinham looks at the challenges and the issues of the grand plan.
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