The New Industrial Revolution promises big things for big manufacturers, but what about the tens of thousands of midsize companies making everything from components to original equipment? Are there enough smarts in “smart manufacturing” to go around for all manufacturers?
The answer is an unequivocal “yes,” according to members of the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC), an organization at the forefront of the infusion of artificial intelligence into machines to transform the manufacturing enterprise. The coalition is composed of experts on the subject from academia and major companies like Owens Corning, Rockwell and General Motors.
“Even some rudimentary information technology and modeling capabilities can go a long way for small and medium-size manufacturers,” says Jim Davis, UCLA’s vice provost, information technology and chief academic technology officer and co-founder of the SMLC. “The time is right for them to start getting involved.”
Smart manufacturing is described as the convergence of enterprise IT with production IT. In this environment, disconnected and dumb machines no longer bang away at making things, completely segregated from the rest of the enterprise, supply chain partners and the demands of customers. Rather, the plant and the machines in it are integrated with data analytics software in the cloud to create agile, informative and demand-driven supply chains.
In this environment, the entire manufacturing process moves in concert with the rest of the enterprise. “Smart manufacturers are those that have evolved from production processes involving intensive labor to highly automated processes,” says Keith Nosbusch, chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation. “They’ve gone from isolated plant operations to integrated, responsive supply chains.”
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
