What I learned this week … is a thought sparked by a post in the Daily PLM Think Tank on Engineering and Manufacturing Data Management back in 1992. The post isn’t from 1992, but Oleg was re-reading some books from that time and commented on some issues that the manufacturing industry is still struggling with after 17 years of progress. I know there are strong proponents of the single bill of material (BOM) concept, but I wonder if we will every really get there and whether we haven’t made some really good progress managing bills of material with different perspectives. And maybe, just maybe, there is an easier way.
Manufacturing
Digital Prototypes – Yes. But for a Manufacturing Plant?
A quick peek into some research on … the use of digital prototyping techniques and technologies to design (and redesign) efficient manufacturing plants. Most of the times I discuss “digital prototyping” it regards products. But the same concepts apply when using digital prototyping in the plant – namely using digital models to increase design efficiency and get designs right the first time. Today I am happy to share my new report with you, Digital Prototyping in the Plant: Improving Manufacturing Agility with the Digital Factory.
A Compliance Wake Up Call for Manufacturers
What I learned this week … came from a post that I found in a Consumer Reports blog. The article, Tailgating Alert: Gasoline-powered blender banned by California Air Resources Board could have come out of the Onion because it is pretty over the top (who needs a blender with handlebars!?). But the punch line is not funny for the manufacturer in Phoenix, who probably had no idea that they were violating a California law and got slapped with a $240,00 fine.
Siemens Talks about Siemens (PLM)
I had the chance to talk with … Siemens (the manufacturer) and Siemens PLM (their PLM software group) last week as a participant in an PLM industry analysts meeting. The meeting was full of interesting updates on their PLM products, but one thing that really struck me was Siemens talking about Siemens. As many people know, Siemens was a big user of Siemens PLM solutions prior to acquiring them (back when they were known as UGS). When Siemens acquired UGS I saw some real promise and some real potential problems, it was interesting to get an update and a new perspective.
Going One-to-One with QLM-plus Vendor MasterControl
I had the chance to talk with … a couple of vendors this year about Quality Lifecycle Management, or QLM. I posted earlier about What I Learned: Expanding PLM’s Pervue – Quality and Risk Management and promised to follow up with some more detail on the vendors. Here are my thoughts on my conversations with MasterControl. Before I get started, it’s important to state up front that MasterControl is not a pureplay QLM suppplier, but a broader solutions company that has strong capabilities in document management coupled with a history of helping companies in regulated industries. More on that later.
Good Economic News for Manufacturing?
A quick peek into some research on … the economic state of manufacturing in the US. I don’t research the market or financials, but the least 12-24 months have been tough on manufacturers and all of those that are a part of the manufacturing ecosystem. I saw this press release from the Associated Press, and realized how long I have been waiting for some positive indication for all of us. And here it is…”Stocks higher on improving manufacturing data.” It’s about time!