“While IT networks already use virtualization extensively, its benefits are moving into industrial networks. Five diverse viewpoints on its advantages and implementation are offered.”
Great article in the recent Control Engineering magazine on the the topic of virtualization for manufacturing environments. Control Engineering states it is a major discussion, so they are approaching it from a variety of viewpoints. “Below are the stories written from industry professionals and their viewpoints on virtualization.”
The article can be linked to at Control Engineering by clicking on the following links…
The numbers coming out month after month show that we seem to be tracking a slow but steady recovery. As I’ve said before, I’m cautiously optimistic about the manufacturing sector – especially in the USA.
On Thursday (3rd January, 2013), ADP1 said construction added 39,000 positions in December, second only to trade and transportation utilities, which grew 53,000. Medium- and larger-sized businesses led the way with 102,000 and 87,000 new jobs respectively
Overall, Employers added 1.84 million jobs in 20112, the most in five years. In the first 11 months of 2012, employers added 1.67 million. Job gains would have to top 170,000 in December to push 2012 ahead of the previous year. Some economists do expect gains at that level or higher.
Even in Asia things are looking up. In the New Year we learned about China’s services growth3, as China’s official purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector rose to 56.1 in December from 55.6 in November, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Other PMIs on the manufacturing sector suggest China’s growth is starting to pick up based on late 2012 data. Not the heady double-digit growth of earlier years, but increases none-the-less. Construction was also up, though all of this growth is partly owing to government investment. The Friday (4th January 2013) HSBC PMI report shows slower growth as it mainly focuses on the private sector. The HSBC report4 showed a softening from 52.1 to 51.7. As you know above 50 is still good. India’s looking good too re PMI for last month! Read More »
I had the pleasure of meeting up with Arun recently. In his role as Global High-Tech Lead in IBSG, Arun has been instrumental in forming Cisco’s approach to Innovation – both inside Cisco and for our customers, as well as looking at global integration and collaboration for many of those customers. Arun has published many papers such as:
2. Manufacturing Innovation -- Transforming Manufacturing Product and Service
Innovation With People, Process, and Technology -- a White Paper (Click on this link to download)
So we’ve had an absolute blast over the last 5 days here in London at Cisco Live. We saw thousands of visitors, customers, and industry thought-leaders.
One of the most unique things we saw was the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC). This car is part of a project to break the land speed record by traveling at a target speed of 1050 miles per hour! The project’s mission is to “To confront and overcome the impossible using science, technology, engineering and mathematics.” That’s quite a mission statement! The Project Director is Sir Richard Noble, who also took part in a keynote address at Cisco Live UK.
In the video below, Peter Granger speaks to Jonathon Cooke, who was displaying the actual SSC and its jet engine on the event floor. Jonathon is studying Mechanical Engineering at Bath University and is one of the ‘Ambassadors’ for the project (part of the ‘Ambassador’s Program’).
Even in Asia things are looking up. In the New Year we learned about China’s services growth3, as China’s official purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector rose to 56.1 in December from 55.6 in November, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Other PMIs on the manufacturing sector suggest China’s growth is starting to pick up based on late 2012 data. Not the heady double-digit growth of earlier years, but increases none-the-less. Construction was also up, though all of this growth is partly owing to government investment. The Friday (4th January 2013) HSBC PMI report shows slower growth as it mainly focuses on the private sector. The HSBC report4 showed a softening from 52.1 to 51.7. As you know above 50 is still good. India’s looking good too re PMI for last month! 
