how much a customer had spent on a certain machine.”

Getting information into an asset management system is crucial to its success. Moin Shaikh, marketing manager for asset management at automation supplier Siemens Energy & Automation Inc., in Spring House, Pa., says, “Networking technologies are essential to an optimized asset management system. Therefore, when we talk about asset management, we take a holistic view of all production assets—any diagnostics that can help users be more effective and reduce downtime. We’re trying to expand information beyond equipment and trying to incorporate the process side of things.

Regardless of the manufacturing challenge, tools exist to help managers get the most from their assets.

For an informative Webcast on enhancing production performance, visit www.automationworld.com/view-3133.