by Gary Mintchell | Oct 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
CEO KC Liu revealed the new focus and structure of Advantech before a crowd of over 500 partners from around the globe at the convention center in Suzhou, China (just outside Shanghai) Oct. 29-30. The theme is going from “Trusted ePlatform” to “Enabling a Smarter Planet.” Advantech is, at its core, an electronics component supplier. It is known for embedded computing, industrial computers, networking infrastructure, displays and data acquisition I/O. But it has discovered business in many vertical sectors. Therefore it is pushing its partners to develop expertise in solution selling to specific verticals in addition to selling volume components.
Liu explained that Advantech will be structured with two major devisions: Embedded Design (trusted ePlatform and services) and Branding & Solutions (Enabling a Smarter Planet).
Quoting from IBM study, the smarter planet is driven by the trends that the world is becoming Instrumented, Interconnected, Intelligent. The point is that Advantech contributes products and services in each of the three areas.
Advantech has identified six major vertical markets in which it seeks to focus. These are medical and healthcare, factory and machine automation, power and energy, transportation, industrial mobile computing and retail and hospitality.
In a later discussion with the press, Liu expressed belief that the new focused embedded services group–dedicated engineering staff to work with major customers on system architecture design and deployment–holds great promise for growth in the near future.
by Gary Mintchell | Oct 27, 2009 | Automation
Things are coming together for the second Safety Automation Forum to be held November 10 in Anaheim, Calif. along with Rockwell Automation’s Process Systems User Group and Automation Fair (but you don’t have to attend those to come to the Forum). I’ll be moderating the day, and it’s looking good. Michael Douglas, Senior Manager in Global Health & Safety at General Motors, has agreed to share new best practices in safety and sustainability as the keynoter. By implementing new design techniques into manufacturing operations, GM was able to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Join me there–or I will try to “tweet” as much as possible at #saf09. Watch for occasional blog posts during the day, too.
by Gary Mintchell | Oct 27, 2009 | Automation
Jim Pinto has spent much of the past two weeks investigating what’s happening at ISA. His latest thoughts are here. He also put together some interesting thoughts for an Automation World column that will be out in a couple of weeks. I previously wrote something here, and I also have a column in the forthcoming Automation World on the subject. One thing that amazes me is that so many people care what happens to ISA. On the other hand, why have they taken so long to wake up and smell the coffee? The Expo has been dying for eight years. There is no value proposition for major systems suppliers to exhibit.
Jim thinks that the new conference format for “Automation Week” will tank. I think this is a golden opportunity to influence the direction of industry gatherings for years to come. ISA MUST do something to get the majority of its 30,000 members to attend, though. This is a huge challenge. I’m not sure the current distributed leadership is up to it–but I hope so.
If they want my help, I’m willing to lend a hand. But I’m just a lowly member and not involved in leadership.
by Gary Mintchell | Oct 27, 2009 | Automation, Operations Management
This interesting release came in while I was in the air to EWR enroute to Shanghai. Dassault Systemes has announce intent to acquire the PLM sales channel from IBM.
Dassault Systemes signed an agreement under which it intends to acquire IBM sales and client support operations encompassing DS’s product lifecycle management (PLM) software portfolio, as well as customer contracts and related assets, for approximately $600 million in cash.
DS and IBM plan to establish DS as an IBM Global Alliance Partner and expand their services partnership.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2010, subject to the execution of local agreements and completion of regulatory processes and applicable labor relations requirements in various countries.
The companies expect to continue to jointly invest in developing, deploying and supporting client PLM environments, delivering integrated PLM solutions to their clients worldwide.
by Gary Mintchell | Oct 27, 2009 | Automation
I was pretty busy yesterday finishing my input for the November issue of Automation World. Some interesting stuff. My article is on closing the loop on performance management. I was also preparing for a trip to China. Right now I’m in the Dayton Airport about to leave for Shanghai and the Advantech Worldwide Partner Conference. Looks like a lot of good information, and a chance to hook up with a Chinese magazine we’ve begun partnering with. More later
