Second MCS IT Forum takes on manufacturing innovation issues

The morning event, staged at the Gaydon Motor Heritage Museum, kicked off with insights into IT and business processes currently seeing adoption – drawing on the findings of Findlay Media's online survey. Beyond a clear requirement to empower businesses' own people and invest in implementing lean processes and better CAD/CAM, the study revealed integrating CAD and ERP at number three for success. Fourth equal were: implementing engineering analysis tools and engineering change control, using computer aided process planning, improving the links between systems, and implementing Six sigma and better project management software. Digital mockup software, engineer-to-order ERP, manufacturing change management software, unified communications tools, web/phone conferencing software, and software to manage protective capacity and time were all also cited – but as the future, rather than the present. Putting meat on those bones, Nathan Bailey, operations director of UAV Engines, presented his company's impressive approach to systems for streamlining mixed configure- and engineer-to-order production – leaving attendees in no doubt of the value of tightly integrated engineering, business and supply chain systems. JohnTripp, one of the best TOC (Theory of Constraints) experts in the world, then took on the business improvement role – challenging conventional thinking in everything from pricing models to project management – using astonishing improvements at ABB Zurich to ram home his points. Event feedback confirmed delegates' appreciation of the half day event, which will be followed on Thursday June 18 with the third event in the series – on IT for operations and supply chain improvement http://www.itforum.mcsolutions.co.uk/supply-chain/agenda.cfm Attendance is free, but by invitation only. Please contact Julie Knox on jknox@findlay.co.uk or 01322 221144.