New White Paper from Microsoft and Invensys on Cloud for Manufacturing!

http://global.wonderware.com/EN/PDF%20Library/WhitePaper_InvensysandMicrosoft.pdf

Hot off the presses! A white paper jointly penned by Microsoft and Invensys on the basics, and benefits, of cloud computing for manufacturing.

This white paper explains the basics of different types of cloud architecture (hybrid, on premises, off premises) and delivery mechanisms, such as Software as a Service.

For Invensys, we use cloud architecture for several of our products:

• SmartGlance mobile-enabled reporting
• Wonderware Workflow's Work Tasks for mobile-enabled collaboration
• Wonderware Historian Online tiered data historian
• Wonderware Intelligence enterprise manufacturing intelligence software

These products offer the convenience of a cloud hosted solution, with lower IT, implementation and maintenance costs, great scalability, and the ease of mobile access to critical applications.

Repost, with Comments: Mobile devices continue to fuel consumer demand for increased transparency

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Mobiles-Millennials-and-IndieWomen-Supermarket-Guru-explores-what-s-big-in-2014?utm_source=copyright&utm_medium=OnSite&utm_campaign=copyright

"Mobile devices continue to fuel consumer demand for increased transparency; more convenience; and quick, easy opportunities to be social. Expect continued emphasis on technology and social media as trend-savvy, authenticity-minded Millennials start having families of their own, along with a call for healthy, convenient foods from the growing influencer segment known as IndieWomen, according to “Supermarket Guru” Phil Lempert’s top consumer trends for 2014."

I always pay attention to articles that examine the sentiments and drivers for consumer behavior.  First of all, it shows macro trends that will eventually ripple into the conservative world of industrial automation: #mobility, #cloud, #big data, #social all started with the consumer market, and made their way into industrial offerings.  Sometimes, these trends need a push--like Microsoft's Azure program, which supports commercial offerings to further their platform, or partnerships leading to products such as SmartGlance to address cloud, mobility AND big data--a trifecta as it were.

Invensys presents: the Cloud for Manufacturing--featured on Global Spec

I was pleased to support Global Spec in a presentation on the Cloud for Manufacturing.  Access via this link:

http://www.globalspec.com/events/presentationdetails?eventId=163&presentationId=487

In this presentation, I describe what the cloud is, why you should care, and what the benefits are.  I also detail some real-life examples of industrial automation products that are available today using cloud-based hosting.

ARC World Forum: A Great Time for Industry

Invensys was proud to participate in the 17th Annual ARC Advisory Group World Industry Forum, February 11-14 in Orlando, FL.  I personally was involved in three sessions: a cloud in manufacturing session (along with our customer from General Mills, who spoke on their use of SmartGlance mobile reporting); a session on operator training simulation, with our customer from the Salt River Project, and a session on social media.