More optimization may be needed for food companies

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If your business specializes in food products, then chances are there are considerations you will need to factor in that may be unique to your section of industry. Writing for Manufacturing.net, Diane Palmquist mentions some of the problems facing the inefficient supply chains that can be seen in these businesses. Manufacturing software can be used to perform fixes as challenges become apparent.

For example, she argues that environmental issues play a role in the cultivation and shipment of food that other manufacturing plants may not be cognizant of. This not only pertains to energy concerns but the unexpected trends of the weather that might require adjustment of certain procedures to make things run more smoothly.

"If an early cold season arrives that impacts a regional produce crop, cloud technology makes it easier and less costly to shift orders to another producer in another region of the world," Palmquist writes.

Another reason companies might want to focus on keeping all production information fully understood lies in the way this may help interactions with consumers and and other activist groups, since once this information is made known, the inner workings of each stage of the business might become less mysterious to the public and others. And it's not just them, as Supply Management reports: a recent food brand transparency initiative from the charity Oxfam has gained the support of investors in this field.

For these reasons and more, any food producer should consider what an up-to-date inventory management system and other similar forms of equipment might bring to their procedures, as they might be welcomed on all sides.

Indiana gas plant decision to be challenged

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Contention over business and supply decisions that have wide-ranging consequences are perhaps inevitable, and it's possible that confused enterprises would do best to implement ERP business software solutions that help them make the best out of complicated situations.

One energy company based in Indiana is seeking out a chance to establish itself within the state, despite opposition from other local industry players. The case, which features multiple utility providers arguing against Indiana Gasification LLC and the Indiana Finance Authority and has been an ongoing process for years, concerns the possible rights in regards to the gas produced by Gasification's Rockport facility.

In a report on the case from the Court of Appeals, which is available online, differences persist between the actual cost of this deal and whether it is in the best interest of the state. The original contract would have granted this company 30 years of business, but that was before it was partially overturned, the Indianapolis Business Journal reports. 

"Two of the most significant disputes between the parties at the hearing were whether the Contract provides a guarantee of savings for retail end use customers and whether the Contract definition of 'retail end use customer' conflicts with its statutory definition," the paper says.

Regardless of how this situation turns out, business accounting systems can be put into place that help monitor the resources available to different departments within a company by need and use. Also, it should go without saying that decisions that benefit the retail level may be boons that encourage more eventual revenue to those businesses. 

New survey breaks down manufacturing jobs and locations in U.S.

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It's important not only to determine which areas of the country are the most receptive to manufacturing businesses, but why, and for what industries? Knowing this can help companies make plans for how to develop their operations further, using tools like manufacturing software.

A study from Monster.com recently released information around the current status of manufacturing. According to the rankings, released through Businesswire, Houston, Texas represents the best manufacturing market, topping a list that includes other well-known cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Among the different sub-branches of manufacturing listed as prime sources of jobs are "pharmaceutical preparation" and the manufacturing of things like medical, broadcasting and navigation equipment. The specific kinds of jobs needed in these sectors appear to be welders, general production workers and supervisors, with this last one being in the most demand.

Although this same study contains information stating that manufacturing employees are unhappy, Monster's Vice President of Global Insights, Jeffery Quinn, cites the findings as good news for the American economy.

"With conditions in the US economy turning more favorable for manufacturing in general, there are several indicators that manufacturing jobs are returning to the US as evidenced by recent public announcements," Quinn said, optimistically.

A manufacturing company that is based in Indiana might notice that their operations are already solvent within this state. If your company has yet to fully select an area in which to establish a "base of operations," they can start by setting up not just the best physical location but acquiring suitable manufacturing software systems as well. With demand high, it may be a wise moment for business owners to consider focusing their resources on expanding. 

Strength of Indiana manufacturing draws in companies

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With the National Association of Manufacturers reporting that Indiana led the nation in manufacturing job growth for June, it should come as no surprise that companies from around the globe are looking to expand into the Hoosier state. 

In a press release, Reflex & Allen Group, a manufacturer of pneumatic, electrical and fluid systems for truck and engine markets said that it will move to Indiana. The Italian company will create 97 new jobs by 2014.

David Blackburn, managing director and general manager of Reflex & Allen North America said in the press release that a detailed analysis was conducted when choosing a location for a new facility. Transport links, supply base, customer base, available skills, labor pools, the right to work and the cost of manufacture were all factors that were considered, he said.

"When comparing individual states to determine the location of our first facility in the United States, it was very apparent, very early on that Indiana ticked all of the boxes as to our requirements," he said.

This is Reflex & Allen's second location, as the manufacturing company built an Indianapolis office in 2012. According to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, that business' growth sends a strong signal to other organizations in the industry that his city is an ideal place to establish operations. Ballard added that it is an overall testament to Indiana's ability to provide highly-skilled workers in a business-friendly environment.

Manufacturing firms must keep pace in an ever-evolving industry. Having strong business management software is a necessity to ensure that a company is able to expand as needed and operate smoothly throughout the entire process.

U.S. manufacturing continues to improve

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There is no question that businesses across numerous industries are becoming more reliant on computers and the internet. Manufacturing is no different, and many experts believe that a new approach must be taken to account for such changes. Furthermore, when younger generations understand the intricacies of manufacturing, and that it is much more high-tech than before, it could entice them to become a part of it. 

This is why having the right manufacturing business software in place is so important. With the July U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) report showing a jump from 51.9 to 53.2 from June, the sector is growing stronger. Any number above 50 signals expansion. 

The report also showed that there is a faster rate of improvement for business conditions and there has been an increase in new orders, with exports also going up. 

Jennifer McNelly, president of the Manufacturing Institute—an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, recently spoke at a workforce summit in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Being quoted by the Tulsa World, McNelly said that there is a public perception of what manufacturing jobs are. While Americans might appreciate what the industry means to their community, she cited research from her organization that shows only three out of 10 parents would encourage their children to get a manufacturing job. 

"We need to inspire individuals to think how cool manufacturing is," McNelly said, explaining that most manufacturing jobs today are highly skilled and high-tech. "There's a public perception of what a manufacturing job is, but it's a very different world."

As organizations work toward integrating the latest innovations, it is important that they have comprehensive manufacturing software systems in place. These can ensure that employees at all levels and with different experiences can actively contribute and help the industry continue to move forward.

Purdue Cal demonstrates importance of Indiana manufacturing

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Purdue University Calumet hosted top manufacturing officials on Tuesday of this week, explaining to them how the school is teaching the next generation of industry workers. According to a Northwest Indiana Business article, Indiana Manufacturers Association President and CEO Patrick Kiely and VP of Marketing and Member Services Brian Burton saw firsthand what Purdue uses for training.

"Obviously in Northwest Indiana, manufacturing has great importance," Celina Weatherwax, Purdue Cal director of government, corporation and foundation relations told the news source. "Purdue Cal wanted to showcase some of the work it's doing throughout the region."

The university showed officials a 3-D rendering of a blast furnace's inner workings and explained how it has been ensuring that students have a chance to learn the intricacies of a variety of manufacturing jobs, including but not limited to architectural draftsmen, welders and machinists.

Kiely told the news source that he was impressed by the facilities. The news source explained that BP and Tri-State Industries are just two companies that have donated equipment to the school. Additionally, Purdue Cal has access to brand new CNC lathes and other innovative machines, ensuring that students can train on the latest techniques. 

Kiely added that Indiana is still the largest manufacturing state in the nation, even estimating that it directly and indirectly accounts for as much as half of the state's employment.

While more individuals are being trained on the latest manufacturing innovations, companies must ensure that they are also equipped with the most up-to-date technology. Having comprehensive business management software, such as an inventory management system, can help organizations keep pace with an evolving industry.

The future of manufacturing lies with innovation

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Keeping pace with client demands is key to any manufacturing company. Big data and other innovations will continue to have huge impacts on the industry, and it is essential that businesses are willing to make the necessary investments to remain competitive.

With the right manufacturing software systems, including ERP and cloud technology, companies can streamline efficiency and stay as organized as possible.

A recent Bloomberg Businessweek article further underlined this point, adding that 3D printing is becoming a more important aspect of the manufacturing sector as well. Digital innovations are affecting numerous industries, the news source explained. The same way that the music world began to sell digital options, it will not be long before manufacturing follows in its footsteps.

"The product design can be intricate and complex, and immediately responsive to innovation," the article said. "Combine that with big data, and it allows a company to build what customers need before they know they need it and then bring it to market in radically short time."

Additionally, Bloomberg explained that 3D printing is likely to have a more immediate effect on customized manufacturing, but it is just a matter of time until other sectors will need to adjust as well. This does not mean that the entire industry will cease to exist, on the contrary, the news source said that it is important to be flexible and willing to integrate new systems.

While 3D printing might not be right around the corner for many manufacturing companies, adopting cloud technology and big data into daily operations is more imperative. Having comprehensive manufacturing business software can help organizations make a smoother adjustment with current innovations, and ensure that they are prepared for what is still down the road.

Report: U.S. manufacturing economic activity experiencing growth

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Many industries in the United States have been slowly recovering since the 2008 recession, and the manufacturing sector is no different. Recent research shows that U.S. manufacturing has seen a recent increase in productivity, and experts continue to remain optimistic.

According to the Institute for Supply Management's U.S. manufacturing index, the sector expanded from 49 to 50.9 for June. Furthermore, of the 18 manufacturing industries, 12 reported growth.

Bloomberg Businessweek spoke with David Hensley, director of global economic coordination at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York. He explained that the growth rate at a global level is steady but not extreme. Even so, Hensley added that he expects the pace to pick up even more.

Michael DeWalt, director of investor relations for Illinois-based Caterpillar, spoke at a June 5 conference and was quoted by the news source. He said that his construction business was getting better.

"If you look at the three biggest end markets – U.S., Europe in general and China, with the exception of Europe, I think they're getting better but they have a lot of room to grow."

Drew Matus, deputy U.S. chief economist at UBS Securities LLC in Stamford, Connecticut agreed, saying that a majority of the positive things in the nation right now are domestically oriented. Regardless of any global issues, America is having its "own little renaissance," he said.

As companies work to keep pace in an evolving industry, having the right manufacturing business software will be greatly beneficial. Not only can this help employees remain organized, it will ensure that an organization has the capabilities to integrate any other innovations that come its way. Business management software solutions are an important step to keep the manufacturing sector on its continued growth path. 

Report: Indiana leads Midwest states for manufacturing

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While the nation's economy attempts to work itself back to a full recovery, the manufacturing industry has been one of several sectors that has struggled to regain its footing. However, recent research shows that the Midwest is seeing particularly positive growth in that area.

According to the 2013 Manufacturing and Logistics Indiana Report by Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research, Indiana was the top Midwestern state in the manufacturing and logistics industries. Specifically, The Hoosier State received an A grade in tax climate and global reach, along with manufacturing and logistics.

The report explained that Indiana had a 4.6 percent growth in employment in the manufacturing sector between 2009 and 2011, while the nation experienced a slight decline. Additionally, Michael Hicks, the center director and associate professor of economics who compiled the report, said that Indiana has historical prowess.

Brad Hastings, senior vice president for Tippmann Group, a Fort Wayne-based logistics firm that builds and manages refrigerated distribution facilities, told the news source that his company has been showing improvement over the last few years.

"We've weathered the storm, and we continue to do better than most industries," he said. "The state of Indiana has done a great job of working with the legislature to promote logistics development."

With the right manufacturing business software, an organization can ensure that it is able to make the necessary adjustments along with evolving technologies. That way, as the economy works its way back to a full recovery, companies in the manufacturing industry will not be left behind.

Indiana-based manufacturing firms that partner with an organization specializing in business management software solutions can be sure to keep the state ahead of the competition.

Should ERP apps be hosted in a public or private cloud?

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This blog has talked a great deal about virtualizing ERP applications or sending them to the cloud. Doing so offers a number of benefits and allows organizations the chance to manage and share information from different devices and myriad locations. There are, however, factors that one must consider before sending their ERP solution to the cloud. 

For example, you may have heard about the public and private cloud, but you might not completely understand the differences between the two. A public cloud is shared with other organizations, and typically owned by a major provider such as Apple, Google, Amazon or Microsoft. Many large-scale and prominent companies have gone with this option with much success.

A private cloud is self explanatory. A company – perhaps a provider of manufacturing software solutions – will host its own offerings for businesses to use. There isn't as much diversity between users, but companies that are storing apps and data in this space tend to have a greater level of security. 

Public cloud users that work with big-name providers may have more options pertaining to what they can do with their applications. On the other hand, private clouds can cater themselves to accommodate the specific needs of a certain company. 

Ultimately, it's up to the company to determine which solution works best. Those that buy Microsoft Dynamics NAV may think hosting in Microsoft's cloud environment is the only way to go, but that isn't always the case. Ultimately, working with an ERP and business software solutions provider and consultant will help organizations determine which is the ideal fit for them. These professionals will examine a company's operations, strengths, weaknesses and needs and find the right environment to host all of their apps and data.