Manufacturing experts claim a ‘software revolution’ has begun

This blog recently discussed cloud computing, and how a company can use the technology to improve its current ERP system. The manufacturing industry is clearly changing, and software systems are at the heart of the adjustments.

At the recent PTA Live Global 2013 conference that took place in Anaheim, California, several experts spoke on the matter. A Design News article discussed some of the speeches and said that a majority of the speakers agreed that when a company is willing to implement changes, software is the first area they should consider updating.

Lou Celi, president of Oxford Economics Americas, said at the event that 68 percent of firms are about to undergo a serious transformation. Celi cited a study from his company, which predicted that additive manufacturing and 3D printing would grow 123 percent in the next three years. Additionally, Celi discussed how more firms are increasingly employing remote diagnostics as a means for gathering design information.  

In order to sift through and make use of such information, companies need to ensure that their software business solutions are current and able to make use of such data. According to a Manufacturing Business Technology article, cloud inventory systems can boost a company's efficiency in several ways, including in real-time inventory monitoring.

"A single change can replicate itself company-wide instantaneously," the article said. "As a result, your staff can have greater confidence in the accuracy of the information in the system, and management can more easily track the flow of supplies and products – and generate reports."

Companies that partner with a manufacturing software systems provider can find the right solution for their needs.

Keep companies current with right manufacturing software

As technology continues to evolve quickly, it is exceedingly important for businesses across all industries to keep themselves current. The same is true for companies involved in manufacturing, as all operational requirements must remain up to date to keep employees safe and a business moving forward.

According to WCSI, NSK Corporation and NSK Precision America, Inc. are expanding their businesses in Johnson County, Indiana. NSK manufactures automotive components for the industrial and automotive industries, such as ball bearings, precision ground ball screws. Specifically, 46 new jobs will be created by 2016.

"Manufacturing remains a powerhouse of Indiana's economy, sparking new investments in our state," Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce told WCSI. "NSK is the latest global company to recognize that Indiana's strong workforce, low-tax policies and convenient location make it a state that works for manufacturing."

The news source added that NSK has plans to add more machine operators, manufacturing associates, engineers and quality control associates in October to the current 400-employee team in Franklin.

Brian Lindsay, chief executive officer of NSK Americas, explained to WCSI that NSK has been successfully working in Indiana for two decades. He added that the company is excited to continue to create and develop new technologies with a willing and qualified workforce.

As companies undergo similar expansions, an update to any manufacturing software could be necessary. Especially as numerous industries—manufacturing included—are becoming more dependent on evolving technologies, it is important for organizations to be able to offer the latest solutions to their customers.

Other firms that are interested in their own manufacturing projects should partner with an Indiana business management software systems provider. That way, companies can be sure to find the most comprehensive manufacturing software solutions to meet their needs.

Changes at Apple’s manufacturing partner could delay next iPhone

Changes in the way a company operates its manufacturing can have a dramatic impact on production efficiency. In today's difficult economy, no organization can afford to fall behind schedule, so keeping up with operational requirements regardless of the circumstance is of the utmost importance.

Apple may be experiencing this issue later on this year. Foxconn, the overseas company it uses to build its mobile devices, is in the process of making a major change to its iPhone manufacturing operations. According to a report from DigiTimes, the manufacturer wants to move its iPhone orders from Foxconn Electronics to Foxconn International Holdings, which could have an impact on the company's relationship with Apple. 

Next week is the World Wide Developer's Conference, an event hosted by Apple that usually features the unveiling of new products. If the next-generation iPhone or the latest mobile software is featured, demand for the new product will start to build immediately. If Foxconn's move is not managed efficiently, there could be a delay in production on the new device.

While moves of this magnitude aren't necessarily a common occurrence and many manufacturing changes don't always have the potential ramifications as seismic as a delay on the new iPhone, it's still an important lesson for all manufacturers to follow. In fact, here in Indiana, if a company making products for a local audience isn't able to keep up with production because it made operational changes, the reputation hit could ultimately be more devastating, considering that many businesses lack the resources that Apple has to overcome such obstacles. 

That's why partnering with an Indiana business management software systems provider can help companies obtain the manufacturing software solutions they need to streamline processes and adjust quickly to not compromise the timeliness of production should any changes be made to the organization.

Food manufacturer expands Indiana-based facility

Indiana's efforts to benefit local manufacturers are starting to receive recognition on a national scale. Recently, Memphis-based Monogram Foods, a major conglomerate in the food manufacturing industry, invested $8.5 million to expand its Hinsdale Farms corn dogs plant in Bristol, Indiana.

According to the Memphis Business Journal, this move has led to the creation of 50 new jobs, with potential for 25 additional hires in the near future. Additionally, the expansion project included equipment upgrades, which could result in the acquisition of new manufacturing software solutions.

Karl Schledwitz, Monogram's chairman and CEO, gave a statement regarding the move and expressed optimism about the company's future. 

"We are proud of the workforce we have found in Bristol," he said. "Since acquiring this plant in September, we have created 50 new positions, significantly increased the wages and benefits of plant employees, and already see a need to hire about 25 additional employees. We also plan to continue to expand production of the Bristol facility in the future."

Upgrades to the company's software systems may be necessary if it wants to ensure that the expansion project yields strong long-term results. Implementing new manufacturing software solutions can aide Monogram Foods' efforts as well, as a fully integrated system can assist in managing an increasing number of employees and tracking any other changes made at the Bristol facility.

Companies in the area that want to pursue their own manufacturing expansion projects should contact an Indiana business management software systems provider to obtain the solutions they need.

Neighboring states battle to lead Midwestern manufacturing

Manufacturing in the Midwest has been inconsistent between states, with some leading the charge and becoming hotbeds for the industry and others struggling to keep up.

Ohio's manufacturing market is slowly recovering after taking a massive hit from the recession, but its growth is significantly below other states in the region. Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan have all seen far greater success, having been able to create more jobs in the sector than Ohio. 

Currently 12.8 percent of Ohio residents are employed in manufacturing, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch. This is substantially less than its mark in 2000, when the industry was much stronger. 

"It's been a miserable decade, to say the least, particularly when it comes to Ohio manufacturing," said Karl Kuykendall, an IHS economist, in an interview with the news source.

"We know when we look in the rearview mirror, the pain that we felt was real," added Eric Burkland, president of the Ohio Manufacturers' Association.

Ohio has added 55,000 jobs in the past three years, but its growth is still significantly below its neighboring states. In the case of Indiana, the market may be moving quickly in a positive direction, but it can only succeed based on the strength of local manufacturers. 

If businesses in the area are not able to make adjustments to keep up with industrial growth, they will not succeed. And, as neighboring states like Ohio continue their slow march toward a full recovery, Indiana manufacturers run the risk of losing out to Ohio-based competitors if they aren't properly equipped with the right tools.

Working with an Indiana software manufacturing solutions provider can help local companies obtain the systems needed to ensure they keep growing as other states continue their efforts to improve.

Manufacturing professional talks industry trends and ERP evaluation

Running a legacy system with insufficient functionality can be a dangerous practice. In today's ultra competitive marketplace, if one organization's software solutions lack functions that are standard within its industry, the company could be at a significant disadvantage. That's why it's important to always keep up on the latest trends regarding business management software.

Pete Zimmerman, a manufacturing manager, recently sat down with Manufacturing Business Technology Magazine to discuss his typical thought process when evaluating ERP systems and other manufacturing software solutions. He talked about the latest trends he has seen in his industry, and how they relate to new software needs.

"Government regulations are currently a driving force in determining the need for new feature and function or replacement of the software in areas such as lot tracking," he said. "Cloud Computing is another big trend as companies evaluate whether they should remain on-premise, put their software and hardware in the cloud or perhaps invest in a hybrid solution. We also see big trends towards Business Intelligence. An Analytics solution can create powerful dashboards and reports that companies can use to identify anomalies that can turn into significant business issues."

If the industry is moving in this direction and these needs will soon be fulfilled with standard applications, it's vital for business decision makers to understand this and react accordingly. Of course, having the funds to purchase new applications or make full system upgrades isn't necessarily a reality. That's why it's important to work with a business systems provider that can work with you, evaluate your environment, determine your needs and help you find the best possible solutions for your dollar. 

Potential regulations could impact Indiana manufacturer

One of the key advantages to using proper business management software is that it forces best practices and helps ensure organizations are upholding the standards set within their industry. Regulatory compliance is a major concern across the business realm, so many investments are made into procuring solutions that meet that need.

In Zionsville, Indiana, the ceiling fan manufacturer Fanimation has launched a campaign to fight increased regulations from the Department of Energy. The DOE is challenging manufacturers in the ceiling fan industry to construct even more energy efficient products, which some believe could impact the aesthetic value and overall usefulness of the fans. 

Nathan Frampton, the president of Fanimation, said in a press release that any further regulatory measures could result in serious setbacks across an already heavily regulated industry.

"Fans are our friends, they're the only appliance you can buy for your home that saves energy, especially compared to the use of air conditioning, and the DOE seems to be looking past what they do," Frampton said. "Our fans are also aesthetic—they showcase form and function—and we would prefer to keep our blades more appealing." 

Fanimation is in the process of raising awareness about its current products' positive environmental impact, in hopes that an increased understanding will mitigate the need for new regulations. However, should the DOE go forward with its initiative, Fanimation, as well as any other organization in the industry, will have to be prepared.

Implementing manufacturing software solutions to enforce compliance can help organizations remain in good standing with regulatory bodies. Indiana business management software systems providers can work with local companies to ensure they are equipped with the best possible solutions.

Aerospace manufacturer investing in equipment, adding jobs and upgrading facility

In addition to hiring new employees, increasing space and incorporating new tasks and responsibilities into daily operations, one of the biggest factors to consider during company growth is the acquisition of new assets. For manufacturers, this could include the procurement of new equipment that must be properly managed in order to get the most out of each investment. That's exactly what L&E Engineering Co. will be doing at its Greenwood, Indiana facility in the coming years.

According to an article in the Indianapolis Star, the aerospace equipment manufacturer and subsidiary of Ferco Aerospace Group will be expanding at its Greenwood location by investing $3.7 million and adding 52 jobs by 2016. The company will nearly double the size of its current facility and will utilize this new space by investing in new equipment designed to help assist the company's growth path. 

Ensuring the success of this endeavor will require a collaborative effort from a number of professionals, something company executives are optimistic about at this time. L&E Engineering President Greg Sandberg spoke with the news source and shared his enthusiasm for the project and the personnel involved.

"We have a very active group of dedicated, highly skilled people working for us here in Greenwood," Sandberg said.

While having the right equipment will help, being able to manage these assets, along with all new employees, will require a business management software system designed to track information and build efficiency into all maufacturing operations. Working with an Indiana business management software systems provider can help with this process.

Subaru upgrades its Indiana manufacturing facility

Subaru is in the process of expanding the capacity of its Indiana facility, which could require the use of new manufacturing software systems.

According to an article from the Automotive Business Review, the automaker's plant in Lafayette, Indiana, will increase its production capacity by 30 percent. This is an effort to accommodate the production of a new vehicle, as sources say the company is planning on building the Impreza compact car by 2016. 

That is a short timeline for such a massive initiative, so Subaru will have to move quickly. The investment is estimated to be around $230 million, meaning that any procurements will have to yield positive results.

Companies in the area looking to make upgrades to their manufacturing facilities in Indiana will want to work with a local provider of software solutions that can handle increased output. By using a new system to improve efficiency, businesses can boost their productivity significantly.

When time is a factor like it is in the case of Subaru, working with an Indiana business management software systems provider is crucial. This will allow organizations to quickly evaluate and find the solutions they need to ensure the success of their initiatives. These professionals can also provide essential assets like implementation tools and training on the new software system.

Multi-million dollar projects like this can make or break a company. If Subaru is unsuccessful, the business could suffer severe consequences. Working with a professional software solutions consultant will help ensure that each aspect of the project goes off without issue and that any organization that implements such a solution sees a high return on investment.

Indiana manufacturer makes changes overseas

Vertellus Specialties Inc., a specialty chemicals company based out of Indianapolis, is making major changes on a global scale. 

The company's facility in Antwerp, Belgium, will now manufacture Niacin, a form of nicotinic acid, for pharmaceutical use. While the company has been manufacturing this ingredient for a number of years, it can only now make the substance as a pharmaceutical ingredient after numerous upgrades were made to ensure the business complies with pharmaceutical guidelines and follows best manufacturing practices.

This move will open up new revenue building opportunities for Vertellus by increasing its potential clientele. Bentley Park, President of Vertellus Agriculture & Nutrition Specialties LLC, spoke in a press release about his optimism for the company's future.

"We are very excited to broaden our market capabilities to include pharmaceutical use for Niacin," Park said. "Among other applications, Niacin increasingly is used as a critical ingredient in drugs that help improve cardiovascular health by increasing good cholesterol levels. We can now provide another source and more options for pharmaceutical companies making those life-saving drugs."

While many manufacturers have humble beginnings, the opportunity to operate overseas and add new applications for products is there for ambitious executives to take. However, any serious move like this must be complemented with appropriate software.

Businesses that get into new territories must ensure their actions comply with regulations that previously may not have had relevance to their operations. When working overseas, there are a number of factors to be cognizant of, including currency conversion. Businesses in the area can help their cause by partnering with a manufacturing software solutions provider in Indiana.