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Connecting to the cloud is improving manufacturing, says Plex

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Plex Systems, a provider of cloud enterprise resource planning software for manufacturing, says its annual survey examining the use of technology by leading manufacturers shows that increasing levels of connectivity is leading to dramatic improvements.

The 2016 Plex State of Manufacturing Technology study provides real-world insight from nearly 200 manufacturing organizations that are using technology today to meet the demands of customers, drive product innovation and improve operational efficiency.

Among the key findings, Plex found was that “cloud technology improves manufacturers’ ability to manage changing business needs”.

With the cloud, manufacturers connect the plant floor with the top floor, providing everyone access to one version of real-time data. [Read more…] about Connecting to the cloud is improving manufacturing, says Plex

ABB and Microsoft launch next-generation electric vehicle charging services

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The cloud based e-mobility charging platform will combine ABB’s vehicle-charging technologies with Microsoft’s cloud services

ABB and Microsoft have launched a new electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging services platform which they say is available worldwide.

The companies say the systems combines ABB’s EV charging stations with Microsoft’s Azure cloud-based services and will ensure stability, global scalability and advanced management features for ABB customers.

The collaboration will also take advantage of machine learning and predictive analytic capabilities to drive future innovations.  [Read more…] about ABB and Microsoft launch next-generation electric vehicle charging services

ABB and Microsoft partner to offer industrial cloud solution

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ABB and Microsoft have formed a strategic partnership to help industrial customers create new value with digital solutions.

The companies say the new ABB Ability service will “enable customers to benefit from the unique combination of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud and ABB’s deep domain knowledge and extensive portfolio of industrial solutions”.

The two partners say they are “committed to empowering digital transformation” in customer segments such as robotics, marine and ports, electric vehicles and renewable energy.  [Read more…] about ABB and Microsoft partner to offer industrial cloud solution

Manufacturing: A different type of industrial cloud

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Not so long ago, computers were almost always in a business location – an accountant’s office, or something like that. But gradually, partly thanks to Apple iMac, the machines started making their way into homes in large numbers. 

But there are still categories of computers which don’t really belong in the home, or at least weren’t designed for domestic bliss. If you can comfortably fit a supercomputer or a mainframe into your house, that’s probably enough domestic bliss for you anyway.

For most of us, desktop computers – or increasingly laptop computers – are just about all the space we can share, and the largest manufacturers of such poor-man’s systems were recently listed by Gartner.

Worldwide computer shipments in second quarter of 2016

  1. Lenovo – 13.2 million units
  2. HP – 12.3 million units
  3. Dell – 10 million units
  4. Asus – 4.7 million units
  5. Apple – 4.6 million units
  6. Acer – 4.4 million units
  7. Others – 15.4 million units

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Source: Gartner

[Read more…] about Manufacturing: A different type of industrial cloud

Industrial internet: 42Q launches new protocol capability for factory automation

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42Q, a provider of cloud manufacturing execution systems (MES), has introduced Semiconductor Equipment Communications Standard, Generic Equipment Model (SECS/GEM) protocol capability.

SECS/GEM is an industry standard factory equipment interface protocol for equipment-to-host data communications.

In securing SECS/GEM capability, 42Q says it greatly simplifies the implementation of factory automation, machine to machine (M2M) communication, real time in process data collection and data analytics, all key elements of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Several factories using 42Q have already deployed this new protocol in their operations, sasy the company.  [Read more…] about Industrial internet: 42Q launches new protocol capability for factory automation