Survey of Top Manufacturing Companies Identifies Key Strategic Issues Impacting Manufacturing.Business/Technology Editors DEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2000 A survey of major manufacturing companies recently has identified the most important key issues having significant impact on their manufacturing strategies. In a recent poll conducted by ARC Advisory Group on behalf of its Manufacturing Users Group (MUG (Macintosh User Group) There are many Macintosh user groups throughout the world. For helpful information and many resources, visit www.mugcenter.com. See user group. ), MUG member companies identified key issues including the integration of automation and enterprise applications, impact of the Internet on manufacturing, and the plant architecture of the future. ARC formed the Manufacturing Users Group based on the belief that common production-centric strategies can be created regardless of what is manufactured. Membership includes key decision makers in the world of automation, supply chain, and e-business technologies, and is restricted to those that are in the end user community. Dick Hill (mailto:crhill@arcweb.com), Vice President, Automation at ARC said, "MUG leadership includes a steering committee steer·ing committee n. A committee that sets agendas and schedules of business, as for a legislative body or other assemblage. steering committee Noun comprised of five representatives from a cross section of vertical industries. ARC's primary role is to provide support, including web site hosting and coordination of strategic discussions. To date, MUG membership represents 13 different vertical industries cutting across process manufacturing The manufacturing industry that uses process control systems. See process control. , discrete manufacturing Fabricating products by assembling components and subsystems into larger systems. The automated assembly line is the prime example of discrete manufacturing such as in the making of automobiles, household appliances and computer systems. , and utilities from around the world. The MUG steering committee consists of Don Boyle - Nabisco, Dick Nicholson - Eastman Kodak, Chris Proudfoot - Unilever, Ray Walker - DuPont, and John Woods John Woods may refer to:
The challenge for the MUG was to identify the most pressing concerns for all manufacturers and facilitate a productive discourse. To identify and develop key strategic issues, topics were posted on the Forum section of the MUG web site for open discussion between MUG members. These Forum topics were grouped into three areas: E-Business, Automation, and Service, Engineering & Design. Dick Hill continued, "These Forum topics became the basis of the survey conducted by ARC to prioritize pri·or·i·tize v. pri·or·i·tized, pri·or·i·tiz·ing, pri·or·i·tiz·es Usage Problem v.tr. To arrange or deal with in order of importance. v.intr. and quantify Quantify - A performance analysis tool from Pure Software. the interest level in each area and to select the specific topics that the membership felt should be developed first. The survey was conducted via the MUG web site and was concluded in late March." Here are the three most popular issues and their vote percentages as voted by MUG members: -- Factory of the Future Architecture (13.6%) -- Impact of the Internet on Automation (13.3%) -- Integration of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) An integrated information system that serves all departments within an enterprise. Evolving out of the manufacturing industry, ERP implies the use of packaged software rather than proprietary software written by or for one customer. to the Plant Floor (12.4%) ARC's Dick Hill concluded, "The top three topics as determined by the MUG membership survey were selected by the steering committee as the subject content for the first set of MUG projects. Three of the steering committee members volunteered to serve as project leaders to work with ARC analysts for the development phase. ARC has assigned as·sign tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs 1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection. 2. a lead analyst to work with each of the project leaders. The first milestone will be the issuance of a scope of work statement for each of the three projects. MUG members are encouraged to participate with the project leaders in this development phase. The formation of working groups is a distinct possibility. The MUG web site will continue to be the focal point focal point n. See focus. for project discussion and development." ARC urges users to join the MUG today. If you are an end user of e-business solutions, supply chain solutions, or automation products and services, and are interested in learning about the MUG, full details can be found on the ARC web site: http://www.arcweb.com/mug/ The complete details on the key strategic issues impacting manufacturing as identified by the ARC MUG can be found in an ARC report, "ARC MUG Members Identify and Examine Top Manufacturing Concerns" at this page on the ARC web site: http://www.arcweb.com/promos/mug1.htm ARC Advisory Group provides strategic planning Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. and technology assessment services to leading manufacturing companies, utilities, and global logistics providers, as well as to software and solution suppliers worldwide. From Global 1000 companies to small start-up firms, ARC has the strategic knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology driven economy. Further information can be obtained from ARC, Three Allied Drive, Dedham, MA 02026, 781-471-1000, Fax 781-471-1100, E-mail mailto:info@arcweb.com, web site: http://www.arcweb.com. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion