Abstract: Today's usage of Decision Support Systems (DSS), combined with vetted PLM knowledge bases, allows organizations to save time and money, achieving better and more reliable/fully-documented decisions, a quantum improvement over the widely-used subjective process of selecting complex enterprise software...

Abstract: The highly competitive product manufacturing market makes true product lifecycle management (PLM) inevitable. PLM helps companies map product requirements to features, obtain control over product data, preserve product knowledge assets, and enter into the new paradigm of modular product development.

Abstract: Chemical companies struggle with outdated manufacturing and financial systems, often not reaching their profitable goals. How can they give customers high-quality chemical products while improving the bottom line? Industry best practices can help you gain control over every aspect of your business by increasing your visibility into operations, helping production go more smoothly, and reducing costs and lead times.

Abstract: Since our research-driven beginnings, Johnson & Johnson Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) has continually improved the new product development (NPD) process. Detailed process mapping has revealed three tiers of business metrics, starting with drivers and moving up through execution metrics to business performance metrics. When driver metrics improves, so does business performance. Six Sigma tools helps identify specific metrics at all tiers and the causality linkages among them. Each NPD process step at ASP results in a deliverable, and each deliverable relates to a trade-off triangle (cost-time-resources) and, ultimately, to investment dollars. To track performance, ASP calculates how actual NPD decisions and what-if scenarios affect deliverables, alter investment triangles, and thereby influence business results. ASP uses similar process and tools, including the investment triangles and Six Sigma QFD, to make idea management decisions. The IDweb real-time software environment enables both the NPD and idea management processes at ASP. By deploying the strategic planning, idea management, portfolio and pipeline management, process management, and resource management modules of IDweb, ASP has increased throughput by 20 percent and reduced cycle time by 40 percent.

Abstract: Strem Chemicals, which manufactures and distributes specialty chemicals, implemented ProcessPro’s Warehouse Management Solution (WMS). The solution helped them streamline their processes and reduce operational costs, by reducing their overall shipping errors, eliminating the label planning function, and eliminating the dual recording of a majority of their inventory transactions.

Abstract: Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). Enterprise asset management (EAM) system. Computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) system. Integrated workplace management system (IWMS). Each type of facility management solution offers different functionalities and features, and one may be better than another for your company’s needs. Learn more about the differences and how an integrated solution is a “must have.”

Abstract: A new trend is emerging in the world of storage management, and it’s called information lifecycle management (ILM). Just what it is, however, varies significantly from vendor to vendor. Generally, ILM is a strategy for policy-based information management. Its mandate: to provide centralized management of all information assets, aligning storage resources with the value of the data residing in them.

Abstract: Product lifecycle management (PLM) enables companies to manage all information regarding a product, from the initial design and engineering through to manufacturing, sourcing, support, and run down. Traditionally, enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions have successfully managed manufacturing-related information, but have at best, limited integration to the engineering systems such as product data management (PDM). Learn how the Vantage manufacturing solution offers a complete end-to-end solution that manages all aspects of a product's life.

Abstract: Process manufacturers can no longer rely on purely reactive strategies to product safety. Now, reactive strategies such as lot tracking need to be incorporated into holistic strategies that include proactive measures to assess risk and prevent costly quality assurance (QA) events like product recalls. Learn how you can develop a product safety master plan that reduces risk, protects products, and improves profitability.

Abstract: The continuous chemical industries typically share an objective of running at near 100% utilization. This and other realities yield unique requirements for a Supply Chain Planning (SCP) system. This article discusses some of these unique needs.

Abstract: High-tech and electronics, chemical, and oil and gas industries each have their fair share of regulatory requirements to meet, and an increasing number include environmental directives. Enterprise applications designed to meet their distinct needs should help pave the way to compliance.

Abstract: An enterprise that wants to shift to a global product development strategy must invest in modern product lifecycle management (PLM) technology. Therefore, the PLM software market could be on the edge of a significant growth cycle.

Abstract: For over 30 years, Madison Chemical Industries has sold 100 percent polyurethane coatings and linings to companies around the globe. With the technical challenges it faced as a growing company, it was becoming clear that the DOS-based system it was using to maintain its inventory had to go. With an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, however, Madison has been able to reduce its inventory by 15 percent.

Abstract: Chemical manufacturers are faced with change at unprecedented levels. Some manufacturers are experiencing tremendous growth, while others are simply trying to keep their doors open. Regardless of current strengths and weaknesses, every company in the industry faces every type of operational pressure, and no company can afford to wait for the pace of change to slow before making key decisions.

Abstract: Chemical companies are living in a new, more complex world—one that calls for meeting demand through cooperating internally, opening processes to partners, suppliers, and customers, and developing newfound abilities to collaborate and change. In other words, the adaptive business network (ABN). But how do you create a successful ABN? And how does that translate into a competitive advantage?

Abstract: Learn how C&H Chemical integrated all of its critical business functions, such as its sales order and work order processing, manufacturing requirement processing, purchase order, and quality control processes.

Abstract: Product architecture can ensure product scalability, endurance, and the incorporation of emerging technologies. Consequently, LANSA 2005 offers Web Application Modules (WAM), to give developers a shorter learning curve and lower development costs to produce browser-based commercial enterprise applications and even Web services.

Abstract: Understanding the nature and specifics of your product development life cycles, and especially new product design and initiation, can help you realize tangible cost savings and will offset the total cost of ownership of a product lifecycle management system.

Abstract: Diverse groups have been discussing PIM from the perspective of data synchronization and syndication, product lifecycle management (PLM), and enterprise publishing. Each of these product categories includes the management of product information, but each uses product information for a different operational role.