Bianca ScholtenControlOvercoming Hidden Manufacturing IT CostsCurrently, I am coaching an information technology (IT) manager who wants to replace some in-house-built production information systems with a standard solution.December 1, 2009ControlDoes Lean Manufacturing Exclude MES and APS?In a review of my new book “MES Guide for Executives,” a Dutch Lean Manufacturing specialist wrote:October 2, 2009ControlHow To Sell Software Systems To Your CompanyA few months ago, I wrote a column about the old-fashioned level of automation in many plants. After publication, someone asked me, “Isn’t that a bit outdated that there are factories that aren’t yet using any automated information systems?”August 3, 2009ControlIndustrial companies stuck in their childhood? Grow up!Just like a human being, organizations should grow up step by step.June 1, 2009HomeHow a Crisis Can Lead to SuccessOriginally, I meant to write this column about state-of-the art factories, where everything is automated and controlled from a distance, thus saving a lot of labor costs.April 1, 2009ControlMonkey See, Monkey DoIn an experiment, a group of chimpanzees was sent into a room with a stepladder in the center.February 1, 2009ControlHow to Develop a Multi-site MES TemplateMany manufacturing enterprises with more than one site face the disadvantages of a hodge-podge of systems.December 1, 2008ControlWhen You Need More Than ERP OnlyWhen selecting and implementing manufacturing execution systems (MES), industrial companies are confronted with an overlap of functionality offered by separate suppliers. “Which functionality should we implement in which system?” they wonder.October 1, 2008ControlThe Business Case for MESIn automation projects, it is common practice to define the expected advantages of the system.August 2, 2008ControlDo We Really Need a URS?Recently, I attended a conference where an information technology (IT) manager, in his presentation, stated: “We don’t need those heavy documents that consultants write.”June 4, 2008Page 1 of 2Next PageTop StoriesAnalyticsHow Data Analytics Can Help Identify Energy Efficiency IssuesData analytics software can be applied to a variety of production operations. Identifying energy efficiency losses is one example of how the software can deliver fast results.RoboticsRobot Setup Gets AutomatedBusiness IntelligenceE-Commerce Tech Giant Enters the Industrial Technology SpaceCommunicationProfinet: Designed for Openness and DeterminismSupply Chain ManagementHow to Pivot from Vision to Value