‘Collaborative commerce’ conference to run alongside CIM Show 2001

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A new ‘Collaborative Commerce’ conference is to run alongside the first two days of the Computers in Manufacturing Show (CIM 2001: 30 October to 1 November 2001 at the NEC). Organiser Penton Europe says the event will focus on “lessons and best practice for structuring Internet-based relationships across the entire chain of commerce,” covering supply chain management, procurement and logistics.

It’s a bold move with a noble objective: the two conference streams – one for manufacturing, the other for distribution and retail – aim to focus on today’s key business issues in the web era and their solutions, demonstrating methodologies and routes to ROI. And with sponsors including Ariba, SAP, Unipart, Royal Doulton, Charm Regis, ARC, Goldratt Institute, MLG Management Consultants, Intentia and Radcliffes, this is a powerful offering. Conference director Miranda Lescher says, “Advancements in technology now enable widespread collaboration between businesses – whether they be buyers or suppliers, customers or partners – optimising shared processes and unlocking and harnessing valuable, but dispersed business information.” Meanwhile, CIM 2001 has set itself a target of providing “practical support for manufacturers to help them face the challenges of today’s tough market conditions,” according to show director Damon Thompson. The exhibition will host specific new feature areas and five seminar theatres on the show floor, as well as the collaborative commerce conference. He expects CIM 2001’s free education seminar programme to be manufacturing’s greatest “IT think tank”. Key subjects for the seminars include supply chain management; e-procurement; collaborative commerce; manufacturing management and e-business. The seminars are aimed at directors and manufacturing, logistics and IT managers. Speakers include: Doug Miles, marketing manager for infor:swan; Andy Ferrar, managing director Profax; Tim Hankins, managing director Intellident; Ian Doyle, senior architect with BEA Systems and Neil Williams, business development manager, Access Commerce. Says Thompson: “CIM 2001 will provide the opportunity for manufacturers to adopt practical IT strategies to kill costs, crush time-to-market, overhaul supply chains and maximise ROI. “We have a laser focus on providing technologies and access to information that offer economies and efficiencies at every stage of the manufacturing business cycle: from design and sourcing to the manufacturing process and delivery.” For more information on the Collaborative Commerce Conference, visit www.collabcommerce.com. For CIM 2001 and to register for free tickets to the show, call +44 (0)870 429 4582 or visit www.cimshow.co.uk