- What is Proof-of-Principle? - In our ongoing discussions about executing capital projects in the Process Manufacturing segment, we have described methodologies and shared tips for the first steps or phases in the overall project workflow that results in an installed solution. These early phases have included the client’s reason for pursuing a capital investment (usually in the form… Continue Reading
- How to Know When to Say No to a Project - Sometimes, the right thing to do is say "no" and walk away. When you are in business, especially in sales, the object is to win or sell as many jobs as you can, but sometimes it is better to turn down the opportunity if it is not a good match for your business or… Continue Reading
- Building a Consensus on Projects and in The Primaries - On a recent business trip to California, I had the opportunity to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley. There I learned much about the man and the mission that he was on as president in the 1980s, and also had an opportunity to get my picture taken at the entrance… Continue Reading
- Summer Shutdown Plans - It's that time of year when many companies begin to plan for their plant shutdowns. Summer shutdowns predominate in the world of manufacturing. Historically, summer was selected as the time to hold plant shut downs because this made it easier to do vacation scheduling and at the same time allowed an extended time frame to… Continue Reading
- The Rime of the Modern Mariner - We could say, “Data, data anywhere and not an answer in sight” with apologies to Mr. Coleridge. Where is the value in data? In a manufacturing/production context, is it in the values collected themselves-the temperatures, accelerations, pressure readings, etc. that are sensed and recorded? Or, is it in the planning and selection of the targets,… Continue Reading
- Asking the right questions during the bid process - Sometimes it is not what you say, but how you say it. In the engineering services world, we live by requirements (what you say – or write). Sometimes we create the requirements for or with our clients, and other times we write a proposal in response to the requirements and define a project to meet… Continue Reading
- Virtualization for Control Systems - Most automation suppliers are embracing virtual environments. Here are some examples of what they are saying about it: Rockwell - Virtualization Performance Considerations With Allen Bradley Products Rockwell - PlantPAx Capabilities - Virtualization Siemens - Virtual automation with real advantages Emerson - DeltaV™ Virtualization Hardware As you probably know, virtualization is the ability to run… Continue Reading
- It Looked Good on Paper … - “It looked good on paper.” We’ve all heard that before, or thought it ourselves, haven’t we? This statement is even the case in our line of work in engineering and skilled trades services - what looks good on paper may not work out so well in practice. Last week I met with Wayne, one of… Continue Reading
- Emergency Maintenance – Who Do You Call? - We are a service organization. Our clients are primarily manufacturing companies. But that can include a pretty broad cross-section of companies with a large number of different applications. These range from egg farms to manufacturers of chicken diapers, automobiles or implanted medical devices. One thing they have in common is that at some point in… Continue Reading
- The Roundup – Final Four Edition - Another week in the books, as we look ahead to this weekend and the Final Four in March Madness! Miss any of our posts from this week? Check them out right here. Have a great weekend! Business Lessons from the Syracuse Comeback How to Apply the Industrial Internet of Things to your Operations… Continue Reading