These days, managing a widely spread system of plants and different facilities is as much about your impact on the environment as it is about proper performance, as some would argue that the former drives everything else. While most may think that manufacturing is a necessarily wasteful industry, a news release from the government seems to suggest otherwise. It should go without saying that an effective inventory management system can help in this area by allowing businesses to distribute their property in a way that maximizes their energy use.

This release, from the Department of Energy, detailed the information contained in the Fall 2013 Progress Update on energy use, which looked at the amount of money that goes into energy alone for this industry. Fortunately, industrial manufacturing could save $50 billion per year if it invests wisely now, and the data seems to suggest that more than 1,750 already are (around 8 percent of total manufacturing energy expenditure).

An initiative put forward by this department has companies agreeing to keep emissions down and dedicate resources to doing so through its Better Plants Partners program, including big names like Ford, General Electric and Nissan. The release quoted remarks made by Kathleen Hogan, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, as affirming the way this program could have long lasting effects.

"These manufacturers are leading by example – demonstrating the promise of energy efficiency, increasing competitiveness in the private sector and reducing harmful carbon pollution," she said.

To make any long-lasting change to processes, good organization will be required, and that may require software for manufacturing to map and verify during the planning process.