Guest Blog from Acuity… The world of robotics is constantly changing, and the needs of each industry can be very different. That is why we partnered with consultant Simon Whitton, the managing director of SIRO Consulting Ltd, a boutique consulting company focused on the industrial robot and automation markets. He has more than 35 years […]
Interview with Simon Whitton: What is Robotics? Read More »
Guest Blog from Acuity… When you think about cybersecurity, payment processes and customer data may come to mind, but it is also important to think about your supply chain. Unfortunately, cyber threats and attacks are real. In 2020, from January through June, there were 540 publicized data breaches and likely many more that were unreported, unnoticed,
Is Your Supply Chain a Cyber Risk To Your Business? Read More »
Guest Blog from Acuity… There are many ways to go about problem solving, especially in a business setting. But one method that has proven effective in manufacturing is the 5 Whys. It is a problem-solving tool that is used to dig deep and explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a problem. The goal is to
5 Why’s of Problem Solving Read More »
Guest Blog from Acuity… PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) is a four-step management tool used to implement, manage, and drive continuous improvement. It is also a key part of lean manufacturing. Walter Andrew Shewhart Ph.D., a data scientist at Bell Laboratories, is credited with developing the PDCA model in the 1920s. As such, PDCA is sometimes referred
What is PDCA or Plan-Do-Check-Act? Read More »
The “Internet of Things” is exploding. It is made up of billions of “smart” devices—from miniscule chips to mammoth machines—that use wireless technology to talk to each other (and to us). Most IoT smart devices aren’t in your home or phone—they are in factories, businesses, and healthcare. Why? Because smart objects give these major industries
IoT in 2021 (infographic) Read More »
Guest Blog from Acuity… This year has been a stressful year for many, including manufacturing company owners and leaders. Many thought that 2019 was a tough year, with the trade war and skilled labor shortage. Then, in early spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the entire world economy. Some manufacturing areas, like food
What Have Manufacturers Learned in 2020 Read More »
The nature of manufacturing systems faces ever more complex, dynamic and at times even chaotic behaviors. In order to being able to satisfy the demand for high-quality products in an efficient manner, it is essential to utilize all means available. One area, which saw fast pace developments in terms of not only promising results but
Machine Learning (infographic) Read More »
Guest Blog from Infor… In greater numbers, manufacturers are choosing the Cloud to deliver mission-critical ERP functionality and related applications to end users. It’s true that many of the early adopters of Cloud ERP were motivated by cost reduction. Internal IT staff could spend more time on high-value tasks by delegating routine maintenance tasks to
Does Digital Transformation Manufacturing Need Cloud? Read More »
The Internet of Things (IoT) has been around for some time now. Simply described, IoT is a system of interrelated devices with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human interaction. Because of recent advances in architecture, hardware and software technology IoT is no longer just a buzzword. It is changing how we
The History of IoT (infographic) Read More »
Guest Blog from Acuity… Even as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers need to think about technology and the future of their businesses. Here are five technologies every manufacturing leader should be considering. Mixed reality (MR) Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have combined into mixed reality. Application and acceptance
Planning for the Future Read More »
Guest Blog from Infor… Many organizations tend to view warehouse operations as cost center due to the labor, equipment, and physical inventory. However, with business models rapidly changing through e-commerce, omni-channel, curbside pickup, 3D printing, and more, warehouse operations empower a company to gain a competitive advantage by ensuring customer loyalty and brand excellence stays
Moving your Warehouse from Cost Center to Competitive Differentiator Read More »
HAPPY MANUFACTURING MONTH! Here we are in “new normal” for the manufacturing space… well in all spaces really. Each day, more and more companies are adapting, finding ways to get back up to speed. In navigating forward there seems to be a renewed emphasis on adaptation; being able to shift and evolve is more important
Forging Ahead in the “New Norm” – Innovation & Awareness Read More »
Guest Blog from Acuity… I have been involved in the manufacturing industry since 1979 and have worked in a wide range of industries for multinational, small, and mid-size companies. Though there was rarely a dull moment, I think 2019 and 2020 have been the most taxing and stressful years when looking at supply chains for
Building a Better Supply Chain for Your Business Read More »
