Food Safety: Using Technology to Aid the FSMA Implementation

Food Safety: Using Technology to Aid the FSMA Implementation

Invensys has been actively developing solutions to enable customers to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act.  A series of recorded webinars are on our Real-Time Answers site: http://www.real-time-answers.com/food-beverage/

These webinars feature leading customers who are sharing their stories of how they've implemented Invensys solutions to meet these forthcoming regulations.

Repost: Top 100 Cloud Services Providers (CSPs) List And Research

http://talkincloud.com/tc100

For vendors such as Invensys, that use the cloud for both software as well as services delivery, providers that offer other services, such as metering, billing, security, become an important part of the ecosystem.  This rating by Talkin' Cloud lists the top 100 for 2013.

It's back: Free Seminar on the Cloud for Industry!

Back by popular demand, the half day, free seminar on the Cloud for Industry is coming to a Microsoft location near you.

Our first seminar will be held on September 18, 2013 at the Microsoft Technical Center in Mountain View, CA.  Sponsored by Wonderware Norcal, this venue is right in the center of Silicon Valley. 

The program features updates by Microsoft on Azure hosting and technology, new product offerings taking advantage of the cloud by Invensys, and a guest analyst speaker with deep roots in cloud technology.

Interested?  Register here: https://www.cvent.com/events/eye-opener-seminar-the-cloud-for-industry-proof-points/registration-4496610e816b4335a5384a2634df2e1a.aspx.  We are looking forward to meeting you, and discussing your own journey to the cloud!

Call for Presentations now Open for Invensys Software Conference!

http://ourevents.invensys.com/SoftwareCustomerConf/Pages/Call-For-Presentations.aspx

Do you have a story you'd like to share with your peers?  Join us on October 15-17, 2013 in Dallas, TX for the Invensys Software Conference.  Customers, partners, and consultants are all eligible to submit success stories, whether they are for Wonderware, Avantis, IntelaTrac or SimSci.

Stories chosen will be presented during the conference, and you'll also receive a free conference registration as a thank you.

So don't hesitate to participate in one of the best overall industry conferences of the year! 

New online training and thought-provoking events from MESA International

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-online-training-and-thought-provoking-events.html?soid=1101863098727&aid=LCMng9qflYo

It's not too late to attend classes on using #MES applications for continuous improvement--MESA International has the answers!

(Repost) Report: Complex IT purchases most influenced by peers

http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130709/WEB07/307099999/report-complex-it-purchases-most-influenced-by-peers&utm_source=itm&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=itm

We've always suspected that complex IT purchases require a lot of due diligence, but this study as reported in B2B magazine shows the importance of a peer review network.  Interestingly, it also shows the influence of social media--Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter-as being supplementary avenues for information.

With the advent of the internet, we've seen influence studies that show company websites, industry articles, and other published, public domain materials as greatly influencing the buy of products and services. No longer is a face to face meeting necessary, or desired.  Consumers are taking it into their hands to research when and how they want, and it's up to us as suppliers to ensure that our products and messages are first, spot on to their needs, and secondly, available when they need it.  It's not a 'new world' as much as a new method of ensuring that the tools our customer needs are accessible and discoverable, allowing them to make the right decision.

NEW! MES Operations 2012 Training

NEW! MES Operations 2012 Training

Wonderware MES/Operations software brings you visibility and control to your process by enforcing routes, work order management, and traditional MES functionality such as track and trace and product genealogy.  MES Operations is the latest version of Invensys' offerings for this market, and we are now offering training through our Lake Forest, CA office.

Increasing MES Productivity with Workflow: A White Paper

http://iom.invensys.com/EN/pdfLibrary/WhitePaper_Wonderware_IncreasingMESProductivityWithWorkflow_07-11.pdf

this white paper, authored by Tom Troy of #Invensys, aptly describes the benefits received by coupling a Manufacturing Execution System with Workflow.   MES, as you may know, is a comprehensive application that covers the transformation of raw materials through finished goods within an enterprise.  Many different industries use MES to ensure quality, compliance, high yields, consistent throughput to drive productivity, safety and brand management.

Adding workflow to an MES builds capabilities for "closed loop" remediation of processes, be it corrective action, alarm management, noncompliance release, or any number of operations where collaboration between workers or departments are required.

For more information on #MES, click here.  For more information on #Workflow, visit here.

Improving Operational Performance in a Plant from a Software Perspective

I was recently interviewed by Dustin Mattison of The Future of Supply Chains.  He asked me to discuss how software can improve plant performance.  You can access the full interview here:

https://community.kinaxis.com/people/dustinmattison1974/blog/2013/07/14/improving-operational-performance-in-a-plant-from-a-software-perspective?goback=%2Egde_147721_member_258757900

Repost: Retailers, CPGs Using Big Data Analytics to Outperform Others

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/national-supermarket-chains/id39544/retailers-cpgs-using-big-data-analytics-to-outperform-others/?icid=homepage

In this story from Progressive Grocer, IBM partnered with Kantar Retail Global to uncover the effectivity of using Big Data for feeding analytics and decision making in supermarket supply chains.  It comes as no surprise that those using Big Data for feeding sales, marketing, IT were more productive and lead in their market standings.

As we've seen from a manufacturing perspective, Big Data can also improve operations performance.  Having a unified view of Key Performance Indicators, fed in real-time, allows management to be more responsive to unplanned events or changes.   That's where Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence fits in--think of it as Business Intelligence (BI) for industry.  Bringing a holistic view of the enterprise, providing actionable information, giving you the capability to become a high performance organization.  There are a host of EMI providers--Wonderware Intelligence notably is a leading brand.

Crowdsourced packaging at Wrigley, Heineken | Packaging World

Crowdsourced packaging at Wrigley, Heineken | Packaging World

Like the idea of crowdsourcing very much.  If two heads are better than one, then why not 100?  1000? It makes perfect sense and as a marketer, getting that type of end user participation is critical (and really hard) to do.  Are you using crowdsourcing for your industry?  Would like to hear your experiences, successes, and challenges!

Early Bird Announcement: Invensys Software Customer Conference - North America

Save the date!  Registration site is forthcoming:
Invensys Software Customer Conference - North America Dates: 10/15/2013 - 10/16/2013 Venue: Hilton Anatole Hotel | Dallas, Texas

Invensys Software Customer Conference - North America
Dates: 10/15/2013 - 10/16/2013
Venue: Hilton Anatole Hotel | Dallas, Texas
Visit the event website: http://iom.invensys.com/EN/Pages/CustomerConferenceSeries.aspx


This conference will provide in-depth coverage of our capabilities across Process Design, Training Simulation, Optimization, Trading, Planning and Scheduling, Manufacturing Operations Management (MES), Asset Management, Production Information Management and HMI & Supervisory. We’ll also cover the solutions enabled by these software components, as well as insight to how our partners are creating innovative solutions to provide outstanding value across many industries.  Featuring the brands you know & use: Avantis for Enterprise Asset Management; SimSci for optimization, training & simulation needs; and Wonderware, the world's leading HMI and operations management products.

 

Ingredients and Formulation: Food Scientists Sound off on Crinchy Snack Food Trend

Ingredients and Formulation: Food Scientists Sound off on Crinchy Snack Food Trend

Who knew?  A new snack trend is "Crinchy"--an amalgam of Crispy + Crunchy. Why should we care?  Because understanding consumer behavior, especially for a software provider, helps us to understand how their suppliers (and our customers) respond to demands for different products, different formulations, and the demands on maintaining and updating those systems.  We are part of the supply chain!

Repost: Infographic: Harnessing the Power of Geothermal Energy

https://www.sustainableplant.com/2013/07/infographic-harnessing-the-power-of-geothermal-energy/

Repost: Time to retire the word 'disrupt' (?)

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/07/12/time-to-retire-the-word-disrupt/

I put the question mark in, because, I believe it's completely situational when/if you should bring disruption to your customers.  For example, Microsoft is sunsetting XP next April.  This is certainly a disruptive event (lack of support for your operating system) and it will cause a certain amount of pain and suffering to the installed base.  But you need disruption to move forward--whether you call it migration, or modernization, it's a disruption of your way of doing business, and a call for addressing, and remediating, the current situation.

Disruption for disruption sake--totally agree with the writer, it's unnecessary.  But let's look at the cloud--it's disruptive technology, but you can gradually adopt.  So, the disruption becomes less noticeable, and you have a choice as to when and if you decide to use.  That's the disruption that I believe is necessary and useful...offering choices, some familiar, some not so much, and allowing changes when you are ready.

HP Launches AR Platform, Tracks Print Ads Digitally

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/204438/hp-launches-ar-platform-tracks-print-ads-digitall.html#axzz2Z7tNQIHh

The cornerstone of marketing is to track that your messages are truly reaching your target audience.  Well, it seems as if HP has actually come up with a tool that does just that.  It allows marketers to track, digitally, the hit rate of their ads.  This can be a fantastic method of allowing adjustments on the fly, targeting subsegments of your audience, and even the efficacy of two different ad approaches.  I hope it really works!

Invensys Joins New Smart Cities Council as Associate Partner

Helps accelerate global shift to smart, sustainable cities. With an underlying strength in both software applications to visualize, control, monitor and maintain city processes, Invensys is showing a concerted focus in contributing to the effective operation of "smart cities."  For more information, read the
News Release.

Improve Your Safety Culture: DuPont Infographic

http://www.sustainableplant.com/2013/05/infographic-improve-your-safety-culture-with-the-dupont-bradley-curve/

In 1995, DuPont developed the Bradley Curve to show the connection between safety and profitability.  It's effectively demonstrated in this infographic from Sustainable Plant.

Infographic: The Green Warehouse Effect

http://www.sustainableplant.com/2013/04/infographic-the-green-warehouse-effect/

This infographic from Sustainable Plant shows an upcoming trend in warehouses--sustainability.  It may also be a new market opportunity!

Data Highlights the Growing Crisis in U.S. Manufacturing - Sustainable Plant

Data Highlights the Growing Crisis in U.S. Manufacturing - Sustainable Plant

 

We all know, at least intuitively, that there's a lack of upcoming workforce to apply to manufacturing.  This infographic, created by Sustainable Plant, puts it sadly in perspective.

Infographic: Sustainable Energy, What Will It Take?

http://www.sustainableplant.com/2013/06/infographic-sustainable-energy-for-all-what-will-it-take/


This infographic from Sustainable Plant shows what it will take to supply sustainable energy.

Infographic: How Sustainable Cities will Save the Earth - Sustainable Plant

Infographic: How Sustainable Cities will Save the Earth - Sustainable Plant

Where can you find sustainable cities?  These world-class cities can help us save our resources, and are at the forefront of sustainability. Great infographic from Sustainable Plant.

Infographic: The Top 10 Solar States - Sustainable Plant

Infographic: The Top 10 Solar States - Sustainable Plant

Solar Power is one of the best sustainable resources we have, and certainly an industry worth servicing from an automation perspective.  Where is the most use in the US?  Good infographic from Sustainable Plant.

The Mystery of Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence

Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence, or EMI, has been around for over 15 years.  It was created as a way to put more context and meaning around data that was created in oil and gas refining plants--information such as throughput, yields, bottlenecks, and quality.  The value of these reports, to the outside world, wasn't apparent, and even the users themselves referred to the application as "MES" (or, Manufacturing Execution Systems).  But it's not--it's different, it's special, and they are both needed:  MES to govern the transformation of raw materials through finished goods, and EMI to provide meaning and relationships, acting as a Decision Support System for the organization.

Infographic - Gauging the Facts on Fracking - Sustainable Plant

Infographic - Gauging the Facts on Fracking - Sustainable Plant
What's fracking and why should you care?  Infographic from Sustainable Plant.

MESA Global Education Program

As part of MESA's charter to become the foremost thought leader for the Operations Management industry, they are offering a B2MML and Enterprise Integration class September 9, 2013 in Raleigh, NC.

Their one-day course will cover the fundamentals of plant-to-enterprise integration, using both B2MML and ISA-95 standards.  Addressed will be how to apply best practices to reduce the risk, cost and time of an integration project.  It will show participants how to avoid potential pitfalls, and delays, in the integration process.

For more information, please visit: 
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/MESA-Global-Education-Program--New-programs--dates-and-locations-.html?soid=1101863098727&aid=tjeqW0Q38eo

Repost: Consumer App Wave Floods Business

http://mobileenterprise.edgl.com/top-stories/consumer-app-wave-floods-business87152?referaltype=newsletter

The impact of mobile on a workforce cannot be denied--getting information at the hands of workers, when they need it, in a format that's easy to digest, is driving the development of both IT policies and application consideration.  Invensys was one of the first industrial automation suppliers to offer  mobile-enabled reporting through its SmartGlance app.  Since then, we've followed with Workflow, Intelligence, and Operator Training. They all have a similar strategy--utilize the mobile form factor to provide key information to the user in a graphically rich form factor.

Is your company supporting your mobile needs? We're happy to help.

Repost: 10 Mobile Trends to Embrace

http://howtomobile.apps.gov/2013/07/02/trends-on-tuesday-10-mobile-trends-to-embrace/

Did you know that the Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies in the U.S. General Services Administration has a program office?  Their job is to help agencies build a citizen-centric path for mobile access to government.  They do that by:

• finding and sharing resources and capabilities through the mobile-gov community of practice
• building relationships with the private and non-profit sectors as well as state and local governments
• helping agencies understand and resolve policy issues
• championing mobile solutions from loosening data to developing mobile development guidelines to app and website development to best practices and policy
• promoting mobile gov efforts

To get plugged in to their blog/efforts:

• Check out practical mobile resources on the website howto.gov
• Follow on Twitter @Digital_Gov. They're using the hashtag #mobilegov
• Sign up for e-mail alerts 

 This blog post outlines the 10 mobile trends you should be aware of...it's a good source of information for those of us that are following mobile trends.

Global Carbon Footprint Infographic

http://www.sustainableplant.com/2013/03/Global-Carbon-Footprint-Infographic/
where's the carbon footprint coming from?  A good infographic from Sustainable Plant shows us.

Repost: Is Big the Enemy of Good?

http://www.managementexchange.com/hackathon/contribution/big-enemy-good

A very good article on how to foster the spirit and culture of a start up within a big company environment.

Repost: At Work: One size doesn't fit all on leadership

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/kay/2013/06/29/at-work-the-best-leaders/2466607/

this post from USA Today discusses the top 5 leadership styles.  In my experience, there are two: those that are effective, and those that are not.  Nuances such as being a "people person," a "visionary," or a "leader" may be based on delivery style.  Teams are different--the same product marketing function, for example, can be executed in completely different ways, depending upon the company you are at (even in the same industry). 

So at the end of the day, it's the effectiveness of the leader to read their team, get the best out of them, and understand their long and short term goals.

Infographic: The Mechanical Monstrosities Of Fossil Fuel Extraction - Sustainable Plant

Infographic: The Mechanical Monstrosities Of Fossil Fuel Extraction - Sustainable Plant

An interesting inforgraphic on the challenges of fossil fuel extraction, courtesy of Sustainable Plant.