by Julie Fraser
on September 13, 2016
in Industry Insights
Everything is changing so fast it’s difficult to fathom. Does that sound trite? That is the truth of Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Digitalization, or whatever you call it. Last week, the Siemens PLM Industry Analyst Conference theme was: “Digitalization Changes Everything, Everywhere.” The question I came away with is whether this is an evolution or […]
by Julie Fraser
on May 12, 2016
in Industry Insights
Can you understand and solve a broad or large-scale problem with a high-level, low granularity view? Usually the answer is no. That makes for some major challenges, as we have only a limited capacity to work with many items at the same time. Granular detail across a broad scope is very difficult to fathom. Fortunately, […]
by Julie Fraser
on March 2, 2016
in Industry Insights
The potential benefits of foreseeing the future are pretty obvious. It means you can prepare. Yet what you need to do to prepare for that foreseen future may not be quite so obvious. That is to say, you might need discernment to see subtle differences in approaches that will and won’t be suitable. Industry 4.0 […]
by Julie Fraser
on December 11, 2015
in Industry Insights
Think about the most complex, carefully controlled and fine-tuned systems on the planet. Where did that thought take you? To a high-mix specialty chemicals process? A semiconductor fab? Automotive assembly line? A VOIP system? An industry 4.0 “smart factory” with smart products, equipment, and materials? BZZZZ. Incorrect. These don’t hold a candle to what your […]
by Julie Fraser
on November 2, 2015
in Industry Insights
What do manufacturers need from MES/MOM as they move into an unknown future? What we do know is that this future features not only new technologies such as cloud, mobile, and big data getting bigger with IIoT. OK, so there are technologies to accommodate. We also are already seeing new VUCA demands and expectations for […]
by Julie Fraser
on October 14, 2015
in Industry Insights
If smart materials are talking to smart machines to become smart products, do you still need MES/MOM to coordinate plant activities? This is the picture of Industry 4.0. After due analysis, I believe the answer is clearly yes. I know not everyone agrees. Some think yes, others no, and many are simply not sure. Industry […]
by Julie Fraser
on April 2, 2015
in Industry Insights, Personal Paths
While I’ve always thought of production as in the middle of the supply chain – and apparently others do to, with Make at the center of the SCOR model – that does not mean many people have experience in both domains. In fact few do. And that contributes to some disconnects. I was reminded of […]
by Julie Fraser
on December 22, 2014
in Industry Insights
How many loops can you close with one set of solutions? Many, if it is manufacturing execution systems or operations management (MES/MOM). MES/MOM manages production operations, and those sit at the middle of many things for companies that make products of any sort. Plant operations information can close the loop in the concept-to-delivery, order-to-cash, plan-to-reality, […]
by Julie Fraser
on December 8, 2014
in Industry Insights
Have we learned enough to succeed consistently? It’s the age-old question for manufacturing execution systems and operations management systems (MES/MOM). The technology is mature enough, but the practices for selecting, implementing, adopting and sustaining them… well that’s still an outstanding question. Tomorrow I have the good fortune to moderate a MESA International webcast where Rick […]
by Julie Fraser
on June 14, 2014
in Industry Insights
Everywhere I go, people are talking about creating experiences. I just stayed in a hotel in the Hilton chain, and their internet log-in talks about creating experiences. I was at this hotel thanks to Dassault Systemes, “The 3DExperience Company.” Dassault is clearly visionary, reflecting its President and CEO, Bernard Charlès. The mission is to “Provide […]