Check out the November Issue of Automation World Magazine and find out more about How Social Media Improves Collaboration.

If you want to know more about some of the things Cisco is doing in the way of Social Media for our Customers, check out the story in the print version of Automation World November 2011.

You can click the link here and you’ll see some great information about Baker Hughes and their use of Cisco’s Corporate Social Media Tools. Social Media isn’t just about YouTube, Twitter and blogs – though we all use them – you’re watching this on YouTube and maybe got here by reading my blog! But it’s more than that… Read More »

Tags: Automation World, Baker Hughes, Baker Hughes networking, Cisco Quad, coke, coke networking, Ford, ford networking, Harley Davidson, harley davidson networking, How Social Media Improves Collaboration, Peter Granger, pulse, quad, show and share, social media

Automation World

Recently, our very own Peter Granger was interviewed for an article in Automation World Magazine regarding the impact of social media on manufacturing collaboration.

Social media isn’t just for personal use any more. Businesses of all kinds, particularly manufacturers, are looking to leverage social media types of connections for easier access to needed expertise, business intelligence insights and new product ideas.

For manufacturers, the principal driver behind the move toward greater incorporation of social media for collaborative business processes is access to expertise.

Who knows what? Read More »

Tags: Automation World, Cisco, Ford, Harley Davidson, iwe, Manufacturing, Peter Granger, Procter & Gamble, quad, social communities, social media, Social media in manufacturing, social networking

This year for Christmas my wife gave me the wonderful gift of membership to our local gym, and in addition,  a discounted gift pack of 8 personal trainer sessions.  My first reaction was to be offended by the gesture until I gazed at the sincerity on her face and the “keg” below my chest. So, instead of wallowing in self pity. I proceeded to pull out and dust off my 1998 Brooks track shoes, my knee high athletic socks and my 2000 Los Angeles Laker’s Championship head band, and proceeded to walk out the door on my quest for a new and improved six pack.

How does this story relate to manufacturing? Well let me explain.

I did not make it out the door before my teenage daughter glanced at me, chuckled and stated, “Dad. Where are you going with that outfit? And where did you get those shoes!!!”, “You need some new “stompers” (translation for the tweet challenged generation…new shows. Oh and I needed the translation.) She directed me to the NikeID website to find some new “stompers”

Nike -- Custom Solution

Global manufacturing stalwarts like Nike and Harley Davidson are re-engineering their plants to address the growing trend of custom “productization.”   Where customers can personalize and customize their product with unique detail and style. Customers end up paying a little more for  this service, but in many instances it turns out to be more reasonable than exclusive branding.  Is Custom Automation the new craftsmanship of the 21st century?  If so, what is required to implement this new paradigm into a viable business and operational reality -- a sort of Industrial Intelligence? Read More »

Tags: automation, borderless, Borderless Networks, Cisco, Common Industrial Protocol, Customization, EtherNet IP, Ethernet to the factory, ETTF, Factory, Harley Davidson, industrial, Industrial Automation, Industrial Intelligence, industrial networking, industrial wireless, Industry, Intelligence, Manufacturing, mobility, networking, Networks, nike, operations, operations excellence, plant floor, process automation, Production, shop floor