The Cost of the Wrong Automation Solution and How to Avoid It

In the current issue of Automation.com, leading manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler authored a feature article regarding the challenge of Automation Solution Selection Objectivity: The Reason for Hiring a Project Manager. According to Cutler, “The cost of the wrong automation solution in material handling is often upwards of ten million dollars. Material handling professionals are selecting capital equipment with the intent of improving margins and customer satisfaction. Sales of automation and material handling equipment, is dramatically improving.” Read more…

Tracking Products at the Individual Level; New Challenges, New Technologies, New Regulations

Coding no longer belongs only to manufacturers and their supply chains; everyone, it seems, has an opinion on the subject. A new phone tracking app highlights a sea change in coding and marking over the last decade. In that time the technology has evolved from regulatory device (printing the “sell by” date on foodstuffs, for example), to supply chain essential (helping retailers keep the shelves stocked), to its new role as the consumers’ window onto the history of whatever product they happen to be holding in their hand. Read more…

Anti-Counterfeiting: What you can do to protect yourself

What are the things threatening your product and brand? What technologies can you utilize to combat these threats? Keep reading to find out.

OEE and Downtime Tracking System Improves Plant Operation

These stats help plant personnel identify problems quickly, increase line efficiency,  and can also feed into larger plant management programs, such as an MES. Executives can even remotely view the OEE data feed through a cloud based software set-up. EPIC help one manufacturer achieve total plant efficiency by installing an OEE tracking system. Read More..