Help is on the way
According to a PwC Pulse Survey ….40% of Executives plan to implement significant reorganization, including layoffs. That is up from 23% a year ago. The changes will focus on productivity boosts and top-line growth, with technological changes leading the way to achieve the goals planned. It appears that margin compression is the key driver of the reorganization. If you cannot pass on costs to customers and remain competitive, actions need to be taken to reduce costs and find ways to increase revenue. Of course, artificial intelligence (AI) will be part of this program. A. McKinsey from McKinsey & Company has also reported that its latest Global Survey reflected that 65% of the respondents are using Gen AI regularly, double the percentage from their last survey ten months ago. WOW! And 75% of the respondents predicted that gen AI would significantly change their industries in the years ahead. The benefits of AI use relate to both cost decreases and revenue increases in the business units adopting AI technology. Many are using AI in multiple functions, meaning their analysis indicated that it would work in this function and provide a positive ROI. This is all valuable information, but we must consider that these McKinsey respondents are large companies with IT departments and managers who can spend to get the “learning” they need to make decisions about AI. Can smaller companies do the same thing? Not so sure they can, but if they do not, they will find the larger companies nipping at their heels in terms of supplying services to customers. It is no secret that large company reps attend conventions and shows to learn how to steal gross profits from smaller companies. Does anybody know Amazon? I have probably read about 100 AI-related articles to figure out what I would do if I were sitting in your office and decided that the company needs to take AI seriously or find ways to offset threats from competitors. So, what did I do next? I read another twenty-five articles and made fifteen phone calls to find a source to help me with my problem. One call I made was to my granddaughter, who happens to work in the system installation world, and told me why we can do this now. when I asked her for a referral, she responded, “Hell, we do that and are very good at it.” She works for a CPA firm that specializes in high-end financial management and, along those lines, has an IT department with a particular unit that helps companies of all sizes with AI implementation. The firm is Connor Group. I asked my granddaughter to send me the section from their website regarding AI, and after going through every page of the website material and related articles, I said to myself, “Self, this is what you have been looking for.” I say that because any small to medium-sized company could use this material to get a very good understanding of what is available, what choices need to be made, how to go about implementing the system, and how to measure the results from the standpoint of return on your investment (ROI). Not only did I send Dean a copy of this material to make it available to you, but I also called the managing partner of Connor Group and asked him if he would be willing to set up contact with our readers to address questions about how to set up AI, provide a range of the cost to do that and help you determine if your data can give the “answers” you are looking in terms of decreasing costs or increasing sales. Dean jumped on board and suggested we make this a part of the monthly Wholesaler publication you receive. This way, we could answer readers’ questions and share the information with our print and electronic readers. Only the questions would appear; the sender’s name, rank, and serial numbers would not appear. In short, MHW is taking an active role in making your company more efficient and profitable and assisting you with your AI effort so you get it done right the first time. In addition, I could see this work for twenty groups or work for OEMs who need to keep their dealers competitive. I could see dealers helping customers relate to AI. If you helped a customer become more profitable, do you think you would lose the business any time soon? In the end, we wind up with systems designed for equipment dealers. And you may want to inform your OEM that this opportunity is available. They may even want to work out a deal geared to their brand. What is in it for Connor Group? Fees, of course, if you use them to assist you. The goal is to learn the industry and get to the point where they have the expertise to where dealers would go to them first before calling another vendor. I think you will like their AI materials and see what I mean by saying they are presented in an understandable format using the right sequence of events. What do you think? What else can I do for you? Let us hear from you. Send your comments to Dean. His email address is editorial@MHWmag.com. I made a deal with him to only forward the nice ones and toss the others. On another front, I sent Dean the last issue of John Mauldin’s Thoughts from the Front Lines, dated June 15, 2024. It will give you an understanding of what we are in for and who it will hurt. There is more reason to shoot for the moon regarding AI to keep your financial position in the top 20% of the market. About the Columnist: Garry Bartecki is a CPA MBA with GB Financial Services LLC and a Wholesaler columnist since August 1993. E-mail editorial@mhwmag.com to contact Garry.
Manufacturing Technology Orders grow in May 2024 despite sustained high interest rates
Manufacturing technology orders, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $386.7 million in May 2024. New machinery orders were up nearly 22% from April 2024 and 6.5% over May 2023. This is the first month in 2024 where the value of orders placed exceeded those of the same month the previous year. Through the first five months of 2024, orders totaled $1.8 billion, a 12.2% decrease compared to 2023. Manufacturers have realized they can no longer outwait the Fed’s “higher for longer” interest rate strategy. As a result, they are beginning to increase capital equipment purchases to meet the sustained demand for goods and machinery from consumers and businesses, even as high interest rates persist. Despite 2024’s mild slump in machinery orders compared to the beginning of 2023, cutting tool orders, as measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report, a collaboration between AMT and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), show 2024 consumption holding steady at record levels. This indicates that despite reported hesitation to invest in additional machinery, production levels remain elevated, which is confirmed by the measure of industrial production from the Federal Reserve. Contract machine shops, the largest consumer of manufacturing technology, increased their orders from April to May 2024 but significantly less than the industry’s overall growth. While some OEMs have made additional investments despite heightened interest rates, contract machine shops have consistently failed to keep pace with the overall market throughout 2024. Electrical equipment manufacturers are having the best start to the year since the record-setting start of 2022. Similarly, power generation and transmission equipment manufacturers are investing at the second-highest year-to-date rate since 2008. These industries undoubtedly benefit from the government investment authorized by the CHIPS and Infrastructure Acts and are, therefore, less sensitive to interest rates than others. As previously reported, the Biden administration is in a rush to spend the remaining money allocated by Congress under these bills in case President Joe Biden does not win reelection in November. That spending could accelerate, given the public’s response to Biden’s debate performance at the end of June. The automotive sector continued to purchase machinery but at a much slower pace than the previous two years. Vehicle assemblies increased in May 2024 and remained above the monthly average this year. Like manufacturers awaiting lower interest rates before investing in machinery, consumers may have grown tired of waiting out the Fed, as new vehicle sales increased in April and May. The Fed’s interest rate path has thrown a wrench in many economic forecasts since the beginning of the year. The outlook for manufacturing technology orders was no different. The beginning of the year fell well short of expectations, but the lag behind 2023 has narrowed in recent months. Whatever course the Federal Reserve eventually takes with interest rates, the USMTO data shows the appetite for additional manufacturing capacity growing as we approach September’s IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the largest manufacturing trade show in the Western Hemisphere.
Warehouse software market valued at $7.2bn in 2023
Warehouse software market to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% out to 2030 The standalone warehouse management system (WMS) market remains the largest, but other warehouse automation-related software is growing exponentially Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) are being deployed as a strategic choice to increase operational efficiency According to the latest research by market intelligence firm Interact Analysis, the warehouse software market is facing a rapid growth trajectory. In 2023, the market was valued at $7.2 billion, and this is expected to soar to $16.6 billion by 2030. Exponential growth of warehouse automation-related software Overall, the standalone WMS remains the largest software category. The markets for other warehouse automation-related software, such as robotic picking software, multi-fleet orchestration platforms, and warehouse control systems (WCS), are expected to grow rapidly and at a higher growth rate than the total warehouse software market. The automation-related software segment will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 19.5% between 2023 and 2030, compared with 12.7% for the warehouse software market as a whole. The boundaries between different types of warehouse software vendors have become blurred as vendors expand their software product offering. Many traditional WMS vendors have started to offer WES and WCS solutions, for example. WES deployed to enhance efficiency According to Interact Analysis’ latest study, the deployment of a WES is a strategic choice leading to increased operational warehouse efficiency. Not only does the system provide visibility into warehouse asset operations but it also has the capability to dynamically release orders and assign tasks based on the real-time operation status of assets. As a result, bottlenecks can be avoided, and efficiency is increased. The WES data can also be used to predict future warehouse automation and capacity efficiency while providing feedback to warehouse managers. However, the biggest question surrounding the WES market isn’t the benefits of the solution, but rather who will be providing it. Historically, automation vendors have been the main provider of WES solutions, given the amount of data they have on throughput rates and system constraints. However, we’re seeing strong growth in stand-alone WES solutions (independent of the WCS and the WMS) and Embedded WES solutions (where the WES is embedded into the WMS). The next few years will be highly dynamic, as different groups of companies compete to provide orchestration and execution capabilities. This report provides a wealth of information to help companies stay ahead of the curve in the race to own the execution layer. Irene Zhang, Senior Analyst at Interact Analysis comments on the warehouse software growth trajectory, “The exponential growth of the warehouse automation-related software segment we have observed is the result of a few key drivers. “First of all, the growth of warehouse automation has created the need for software that can be used to control and execute solutions. There is also a need to optimize the overall throughput due to the growth of modular and standardized automation sub-systems which require orchestration and execution of various modules. Finally, the growth of the mobile robot market has driven demand for fleet management systems. As well as this, the availability of the Robotics as a Service (RaaS) model has also contributed to the widespread adoption of mobile robots.”
Bobcat launches new Machine IQ Telematics enhancements
Remote engine disable/enable advances the Machine IQ system through two-way functionality A provider in innovation and digital solutions, Bobcat Company introduces its newest technological advancements to the Bobcat Machine IQ telematics platform. The new Remote Engine Disable/Enable feature allows customer users in North America and Europe to remotely enable or disable their machine’s engine through the Owner Portal or Machine IQ app. Machine IQ, launched in 2019 in North America, allows connected machine owners to monitor the health of their Bobcat machine and remotely track information that enhances maintenance, security, and performance. Remote Engine Disable/Enable represents the first two-way update to the telematics system, allowing operators to both send commands to and receive data from the machine. With Remote Engine Disable/Enable, operators can shut down their machine with a few clicks, deterring theft and aiding in quick machine recovery. “Advanced theft deterrence is critical peace of mind for our Machine IQ users. Remote Engine Disable/Enable allows our North American and European customers to protect their equipment and allow only authorized usage. This feature also demonstrates our ability to interact with machines via two-way communication using telematics. Today marks another major milestone for what Bobcat continues to do to empower our customers to accomplish more” said Garrett Maurer, director of digital product management at Bobcat. If unauthorized use is suspected, operator owners can log into their Bobcat Owner Portal or Machine IQ app to pinpoint the location of their equipment and choose to disable the engine. Upon executing the disable command, any attempt to start an engine in an off state will fail. If the machine is in operation, the engine will slow to a near standstill, relegated to de-rate mode. Remote Engine Disable/Enable is available for Machine IQ Health and Security subscribers with connected and compatible Bobcat machine(s). To learn more about Machine IQ, as well as Bobcat’s other digital solutions, visit bobcat.com.
NetLogistik introduces Transportation Efficiency and Productivity (TEP) and Warehouse Efficiency and Productivity (WEP)
Easy-to-use tools help companies with less complex and smaller operations NetLogistik, a provider of transformative services for supply chain digitalization, introduces new functionality as part of its Supplynet Suite®, NetLogistik’s microservices and digital supply chain solutions platform. Transportation Efficiency and Productivity (TEP) seamlessly syncs the entire transportation management process, from planning and tracking to freight settlement. Warehouse Efficiency and Productivity (WEP) optimizes, automates, measures, and controls warehouse and distribution center operations. “NetLogistik offers these products to our small-to-medium sized businesses that want transportation and warehouse management functionality but don’t need all the features of enterprise-sized solutions,” says Jagan Reddy, US Managing Director, NetLogistik. “These easy-to-use tools work best for companies with smaller and simpler operations.” TEP optimizes the efficiency and accuracy of transportation operations with complete visibility into orders, shipments, and deliveries—while building stronger relationships with suppliers, carriers, and customers through reliable, on-time performance. Businesses that have utilized Netlogistik’s TEP solution have achieved impressive results, including: Up to 33% reduction in administration times Up to 5% savings in total transportation costs Up to 50% improvement in customer service TEP maximizes order management, shipment planning, transport selection, documentation management, route monitoring, and shipment costs. It can integrate with partner FarEye, an intelligent delivery management platform that increases the visibility of multimodal, long-haul, first-mile, and last-mile deliveries. Onest Logistics Principal CEO and Founder, Rubén Imán says, “TEP Sets us apart from the competition. It’s a strategic tool that saves us 4% on transportation.” WEP facilitates all processes within a warehouse, from assigning appointments to shipping. It offers appointment scheduling, receiving operations, wave planning, picking operations, packstation management, and shipping operations. WEP integrates with the Vocollect® voice-directed work solution, Honeywell® Voice, and the GAINS® Demand Planning System for additional functionality. Clients using WEP can: Increase inventory accuracy Boost operator productivity Optimize storage capacity Visualize real-time information Improve customer service Farmapronto Project Director says, “Due to the demand and growth we were experiencing, expiration and assortment problems were developing. NetLogistik’s (WEP) Warehouse Management System helped us increase productivity and reduce operating expenses—in addition to making our assortments more efficient. Through this, we were able to achieve a satisfactory delivery to our branches, increasing our sales by 40%.”
Future proof your supply chain: Embracing Automation and AI
Supply chain leaders are turning to automation and AI to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate the customer experience Automation in both process and physical forms has been around dating back as far as the Industrial Revolution. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that automation began to emerge in supply chains. Back then, warehouse automation—such as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), sortation systems, and conveyors—involved expensive physical infrastructure and millions of dollars in capital. What’s more, as business models evolved or companies created new models, these approaches struggled to be responsive. Fast forward to today. With advances in technology that include AI/machine learning and RPA in the form of software robotics, modern automation such as AMRs and other automated systems are much more conducive for pilots with small investments—providing the ability to prove value before a larger commitment is made. This benefit is just one of several reasons supply chain leaders need to embrace the enormous potential for advances in automation and AI technologies, which will continue to gain momentum for years to come. Additional benefits include: A solution to labor shortages: Finding enough workers with the right skill sets has opened the door for the adoption of warehouse automation, including the use of automated sorting systems, picking and packing automation, robotic automation, and autonomous vehicles. In addition to reducing dependence on human labor, these solutions can increase efficiency by operating 24/7 without fatigue. This translates into reduced costs and higher productivity levels, helping warehouses meet customer demands even during peak periods. Additionally, automation systems can minimize the risk of injuries to human workers by performing hazardous tasks. Enhanced customer experience: Brands and retailers are investing heavily in automation and AI to meet consumer demands for fast and reliable delivery. For example, AI helps companies optimize routes and provide accurate delivery estimates. Additionally, AI-driven chatbots can track orders, handle routine inquiries, and offer product recommendations—enabling companies to minimize response times and allow human customer service representatives to focus on complex issues. Improved accuracy/reduced errors: Precision is one of the most significant advantages of warehouse automation. The implementation of automated systems can drastically reduce human errors, which can lead to more accurate order fulfillment and inventory management. This can go a long way in maintaining customer satisfaction while reducing waste. Enhanced demand forecasting: AI technology excels at forecasting demand by extracting insights from extensive repositories of data, including numerous sources such as past sales records, customer transactions, social media mentions and prevailing economic indicators—helping supply chain and logistics organizations maintain the delicate balance between consumer demand and supply. Additionally, AI projection tools can help facilitate better collaboration between supply chain partners by allowing demand forecast data to be shared with suppliers. This helps businesses optimize inventory levels and minimize stockouts while creating a harmonized supply chain system. Real-time visibility: It’s vital for today’s businesses to have complete, real-time supply chain visibility. AI-powered systems provide this level of visibility by integrating data from various sources such as suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers and retailers. This helps businesses track inventory levels, monitor shipments, identify bottlenecks and respond quickly to disruptions or changes in demand—which enhances overall supply chain agility. Take the First Step—Consult with a Supply Chain and Logistics Expert Before investing in automation and AI, it’s important for supply chain leaders to understand the complex nature of these technologies as well as the current and future state of the market. This can be effectively accomplished by leveraging the expertise of a supply chain logistics and implementation partner—one that can help you deliver a customer experience that will build brand loyalty and accelerate growth. About the Author: Recognized for industry thought leadership and customer value creation, Jagan Reddy brings 25 years of experience in building and delivering supply chain and logistics solutions to his position as Managing Partner of Netlogistik US.
Ready–Get Set–Do Something
Technology Rules. Every business or industry publication you pick up states….IF YOU DO NOT START TAKING ACTION NOW YOU WILL QUICKLY FALL BEHIND. Makes sense. But once you are in GET SET mode you have serious issues to deal with. What should you do? Who should do it? Can you fund it? Will the results improve profitability and cash flow? If you take steps to improve the business and it does not work, you may be in worse shape had you done nothing. Nothing is easy these days. Interestingly, those three books I referred to you last month deal with the doing and measuring side of the project. As a reminder the books were BUSINESS WEALTH WITHOUT RISK, HOW TO LISTEN WHEN MARKETS SPEAK AND NOT HOW BUT WHO. The Wealth Without Risk book covers ways to find and buy businesses and how to increase the size of your business with minimum risk. Buy small businesses because the multiples are MUCH smaller. Buy two or three small businesses and suddenly you have a large business that provides much higher multiples. Not interested in buying a business then enter joint ventures or partnerships where different businesses can bring added value to the table for minimum cost. In other words, what else could your customers buy from you? You can sell it directly or via a referral program. I always liked the “menu” approach to help customers where I share in the profits resulting from my referral program. And the menu is a great way to lock in your relationship. One more comment about the Wealth-Risk book. If you have someone living in your basement that needs to go out and make a living, I would provide them with the book and tell them to find something to buy that can be paid for out of the seller’s cash flow. A lot of targets exist. How many times have you heard that Joe or Mary is giving up the business because their “kids” do not want to work there? So, do you think Joe or Mary just want to walk away and sell off the hardware, or would they prefer a sale for one year’s profits and not have to deal with the liquidation? If you want to find something to focus on, I suggest you sign up for all the Distributor Strategies Group presentations, which seem to pop up every other week. I participate in about everyone and find they can help distributors increase sales, margins, and profits. For example, they reviewed a customer survey program where they must see how customers relate to their products and services. They asked for input regarding direct contact, inventory levels and fill rates, logistics, relations with sales personnel, and how company technology impacts the customer experience. The survey covered all “touch points” with the customer, from the purchase dept to the CEO. What was interesting and probably an issue all of you should consider is that the lowest grade from every customer touch point was directed to the company website. After all the work companies put into their website this result was unexpected, which means you may want to evaluate your website to see where you stand. Be a shame if you lose business because of your website. I suggest you sign up for DSG and force yourself to listen in to their presentations. So let us assume you come up with a plan to update or create new revenue sources, or you decide to take your initial shot at AI. Now all you must do is get it done. We are assuming and you should know that this project you have in mind will produce a meaningful result when it is completed. But you are a busy person that is asking yourself “How am I going to get this project done?” This is where the NOT HOW, BUT WHO book comes into play. The premise of the book is that folks will procrastinate because they do not know what to do, and if they finally get around to it, the work will extend beyond the original due date. So, the author suggests you find a WHO to complete the project without constant interference from the person asking “HOW”. Have a team scout out an expert who is qualified to complete the project and let them go at it. Of course, you will have to pay that person, but if the project has provided the original goal, it should provide a reasonable ROI to justify the cost. I guess the bottom line here is that there is just too much discussion going on about how a company could lose customers because they cannot service their accounts like the dealer who upgraded their technology or value-added services to the point where they are a better option for the customer. This would be a good time to discuss ideas and challenges with your OEMs to find the WHO’s who can do the work or who can put together a program to improve dealer bottom lines using some of the cost-effective ideas found in the WEALTH WITHOUT RISK book. READY- GET SET- FIND SOME WHO’’s. About the Columnist: Garry Bartecki is a CPA MBA with GB Financial Services LLC and a Wholesaler columnist since August 1993. E-mail editorial@mhwmag.com to contact Garry.
E Tech Group acquired Automation Group
E Tech Group announces the immediate renaming of Automation Group to E Tech Group, following the strategic acquisition of Automation Group on October 3, 2023. E Tech Group has announced that the brand formerly known as Automation Group has been renamed as E Tech Group. E Tech Group’s acquisition of Automation Group was finalized on October 3, 2023. Effective immediately, the brand formerly known as Automation Group will operate under the name E Tech Group, unifying the two entities under one market-leading brand. The transition to the new name will be seamless for clients and partners. All existing commitments remain in place, ensuring continuity and stability. “The strategic direction and growth mindset of E Tech Group aligned seamlessly with that of Automation Group. Our company has always placed a strong emphasis on taking care of our people, both internally and externally,” explained Randy Ruano, former President of Automation Group. “Our first core value is being people-focused. During discussions with E Tech Group’s leadership, we identified a shared commitment to prioritizing people, which made the decision to move forward with buyout simple.” The acquisition helped deepen E Tech Group’s reach into the food and beverage as well as data center industries. The brand formerly known as Automation Group has helped E Tech Group expand its capabilities within virtualization, cybersecurity, automation design, networking, and big data. In addition, the acquisition brought 12 locations spread throughout northern and southern California, as well as Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis and Williamsburg, Virginia. This brand merger is positioned to assist E Tech Group’s offering of ‘main automation partner.’ “This investment marks a significant milestone in our journey as a Main Automation Partner. By integrating the expertise and resources of Automation Group, we’re expanding our portfolio of solutions and services to meet the evolving needs of our clients. This move strengthens our presence in key industries like food and beverage and data centers and enhances E Tech’s automation solutions that our clients know and trust,” said Matt Wise, Chief Executive Officer of E Tech Group. “For our clients, this means access to a broader range of solutions and a seamless experience. For our employees, it opens new avenues for collaboration, growth, and professional development within a larger, more dynamic organization. And for our stakeholders, it positions a bright future filled with innovation, growth, and shared success.”
IFS launches industrial AI capabilities in latest release of IFS Cloud
IFS has announced the general availability of its latest IFS Cloud release. As the only vendor focused on helping asset- and service-focused companies leverage the power of Industrial AI, IFS is releasing new AI-powered functionality that enables customers to improve operational effectiveness and profitability. This May release focuses on three strategic themes, which are supported by a powerful IFS.ai Copilot that helps users better understand and use data from across a company’s supply chain and operations. Powering Potential: Humans and Technology in Harmony The power of IFS Cloud extends beyond human potential to asset potential; assets operate optimally, minimizing downtime and extending lifespans, resource utilization is optimized, and operations are streamlined. Key features and capabilities include: IFS.ai Copilot: improve decision-making and enhance user experience and engagement through our AI-powered assistant. The first data source target for this release is IFS Cloud help and support information. Boost productivity through timely knowledge and guidance. Analytics as a Service: gain accelerated time to value and valuable insights while reducing capital expenditure and operating costs. Transport Loading: improve the shipment process, supporting greater capacity utilization, and faster goods loading. Task Bundling for Service: increase technician utilization and efficiency and reduce travel costs and emissions while improving service margins Maintenance Planning and Scheduling new Lobbies: improve visibility, drive efficient asset maintenance operations, and drive asset compliance. Driving Profitability: Winning in a Volatile Landscape Business success hinges not just on potential, but on measurable profitability. This release equips customers to fine-tune global operations, lower costs, reduce waste, and empower the organization to consider new business models. Key features and capabilities include: Supply Chain Customer Scheduling: handle multiple open schedules from the same plant simultaneously, increasing productivity and time savings. Advanced SLA Management: increase margins, SLA adherence, and compliance. Incomplete & Follow-on Process: service management is enhanced with an intuitively guided technician process for reporting to achieve SLA compliance, avoid penalties, and improve customer satisfaction. Business to Business Portal: let contractors record multi-site work, for greater control and visibility while streamlining the communication process between contract and asset owners. Sustainability as a Competitive Edge IFS Cloud empowers businesses to not only achieve sustainability goals but also emerge as champions of environmental stewardship, which will resonate with stakeholders from consumers to investors. Optimizing resource utilization, minimizing waste, and tracking environmental impact lets customers reduce their carbon footprint. Key features and capabilities include: Emissions Tracker: enhancements to accurately track progress against sustainability through easy emissions data collection. Gain a more complete view with the addition of select Scope 3 emissions categories. Also, input kilowatt consumption data from utility supplier invoices. ESG Lobbies: now underpinned by Power BI for easier real-time access to focused insights. Support for Circular Manufacturing: enhancements cut production costs by supporting the planning of the remanufacturing process. This enables the introduction of new revenue streams and lower carbon footprint. Packing Material Management: enable more sustainable operations by handling unit accessories as inventory increasing the use of reusable packaging. Christian Pedersen, Chief Product Officer, at IFS commented: “With this latest release of IFS Cloud, customers will benefit from a new level of meaningful AI capabilities and innovation that is truly relevant to their industry and impactful to their business. The IFS.ai Copilot is the natural next step for IFS Cloud users to engage with and benefit from the AI capabilities we have embedded into IFS Cloud. We’re offering so much more than generic AI—our industrial AI approach means customer can effectively manage supply chains and improve their operations. We’re creating an environment where technology and human ingenuity come together.” Pedersen added: “At a time where regulation in Europe and the U.S. is making companies take action in how they set and manage their Sustainability commitments, we are offering new AI-powered capabilities that both help companies improve their operations and report progress. As we look ahead, it’s clear that IFS.ai will continue to be a catalyst for change, driving businesses forward with purpose and passion within the industrial setting. The future is not just bright; it’s AI-powered, composable, and cloud-enabled, and it’s here now.” IFS.ai applied The new capabilities in 24R1 provide powerful industrial AI functionality, but also packed into the release is new industry-specific tooling. Take for example Aerospace and Defense. New Aircraft Release to Service functionality automatically detects and flags missing mandatory components and overdue maintenance tasks for compliance and risk reduction, and Aircraft Airworthiness Status Insights provides visibility and control of fleet status and aircraft in maintenance to enable aviation operators with additional efficiency and productivity gains. The new release offers similar benefits to customers in other asset and service focused industries.
Seeq selected for Enterprise-Wide Analytics
The Seeq platform will be leveraged to maximize production and enhance efficiency across Equinor’s global assets. Seeq and Equinor have announced a multi-year commercial agreement for the Seeq Industrial Analytics and AI platform to be leveraged across Equinor’s global assets to further accelerate digital transformation outcomes. Through the agreement, Equinor will implement Seeq to empower its engineering teams to optimize production and improve energy performance across a variety of assets. Initially, the company plans to leverage Seeq to monitor well and process behavior, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of daily operations to maximize production, enhance workforce collaboration and increase efficiency. “Innovative energy organizations like Equinor want to leverage interoperable systems that utilize collective knowledge to accelerate value,” said Dr. Lisa Graham, CEO at Seeq. “Seeq is honored to provide our open, industrial analytics and AI SaaS platform to Equinor to drive rapid, enterprise-wide digital transformation outcomes.” Seeq delivers a self-service, industrial analytics and AI platform that accesses and leverages vast amounts of historically underused data. By incorporating leading-edge technologies, including AI, machine learning and other capabilities, into its platform and leveraging its global partner network, Seeq powers a range of use cases for employees across the enterprise to accelerate digital transformation outcomes such as operational excellence and profitability, workforce upskilling, and sustainability.
Peak Technologies Australia becomes Certified Zebra Industrial Machine Vision Systems Integrator
Peak Technologies has announced a significant milestone, becoming a certified Zebra Technologies partner in Australia, delivering fixed industrial scanning solutions and machine vision integration. As industries evolve towards automation and efficiency, the demand for advanced scanning solutions and machine vision technology intensifies. With this partnership, Peak Technologies demonstrates its commitment to meeting the ever-changing needs of Australian businesses by offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to improve productivity, accuracy, and operational efficiency. Through this strategic partnership, Peak Technologies aims to leverage Zebra Technologies’ extensive portfolio of industrial-grade scanning solutions and machine vision technologies to deliver comprehensive, tailored solutions to businesses across various sectors in Australia. Zebra’s suite of fixed industrial scanners and machine vision smart cameras offers a wide range of capabilities, beginning with simple track-and-trace scanning solutions to immediately identify products, packages, pallets and verify barcodes moving down conveyor lines. More complex machine vision imaging applications include 3D sensors and inspection applications, deep learning image acquisition, training and deployment, high-speed process video recording, and more. Peter Brogle, Peak Technologies’ APAC sales director, commented: “We are very proud to be recognized as a Certified Zebra Fixed Industrial Scanning and Machine Vision System Integrator. It is another excellent stride forward in our global partnership with Zebra. We now look forward to replicating the success we have had in Europe and North America here in Australia.” “We’re excited to have Peak Technologies on board in Australia, knowing they have been one of our most successful global partners,” added George Lianos, Zebra channel account manager. “We look forward to working together with the team at Peak locally.” Peak Technologies is the go-to source for Zebra machine vision integration, with highly-trained and certified systems engineers that boast a wealth of expertise. With proof-of-concept engineering, testing, custom configurations, preconfigured cameras, AI-driven analytics and more, Peak provides custom end-to-end solutions that meet the unique business needs of each customer it serves.
Bill Vining joins KPI Solutions
Bill brings 30 years’ experience working with clients to evaluate, design, and implement innovative solutions to solve complex supply chain challenges and boost productivity KPI Solutions (KPI) has announced that Bill Vining has joined the company as Senior Account Executive. In this role, Bill will work directly with companies to address operational challenges and develop best-in-class solutions using warehouse automation and intelligent software to reduce labor reliance and build resilience. “I’m excited to join the KPI Solutions sales team and partner with our clients to deliver tailored distribution solutions that blend leading technologies with world-class warehouse execution software,” said Bill. “KPI is unique in the industry for providing an unbiased end-to-end solution that allows clients to realize desired business results and drive value throughout the supply chain.” “We’re happy to welcome Bill as our solutions continue to transform operations and elevate performance, always focusing on being accountable for our client’s business case,” said Roger Counihan, Senior Vice President of Sales. “His experience in leading-edge automation and robotics will undoubtedly bring value to our clients, allowing them to not only meet today’s labor and productivity challenges but also prepare for future distribution demands.” Bill joins KPI Solutions from NEXUSiQ, provider of supply chain AI, analytics, and advanced visualization systems, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer. Throughout his extensive career in the supply chain industry, he has worked with several leading technology and software providers including Skydio, 6 River Systems, Dematic Reddwerks, Optoro, Red Prairie, and Manhattan Associates. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Economics degree from the University of Connecticut and resides in Atlanta.
Lucas Systems announced 100 Billion warehouse picks
Credits continuous innovation of technologies centered around workers Warehouse workers made 100 billion warehouse picks using Lucas Systems software, according to an announcement today from Lucas Systems, a distribution center technology company. Lucas Systems, which provides software to workers in more than 400 warehouses across four continents, says the 100-billion milestone is a culmination of industry longevity combined with tens of thousands of workers using its sophisticated speech-recognition and optimization software, powered by Jennifer™. Jennifer™ provides in-the-moment voice and visual guidance for warehouse tasks such as picking, replenishment, putaway, loading, and cycle count. “Workers make nearly 17 million picks each day with Lucas technologies,” says Lucas Systems Founder and CEO Rick Brown. “For 26 years, we’ve been helping to improve the quality of work-life for warehouse workers while dramatically boosting productivity, accuracy, and safety.” Warehouse workers value technology so much that they are willing to make important trade-offs to access it. According to a recent market study commissioned by Lucas Systems, which polled 500 U.S. on-floor warehouse workers, nearly three out of four on-floor workers would consider a pay cut at another company for an opportunity to use technology if it helps them in their job. Lucas Systems says its technologies gain favor for key reasons: No voice training required with industrial grade dual engine speech recognition Flexibility for workers to work in their own language with more than 30 languages available Multimodal worker interaction using voice, visual and scanning options Built-in optimization that can reduce worker travel by up to 50% while improving picking accuracy Software that runs on a wide variety of Android devices including tablets, wearable devices and mobile computers Reaching 100 billion picks required adaptability, says Lucas executives. “Innovation has been key to our longevity and growth,” Brown says. “We have been at the forefront of leading change in the distribution industry, which is now occurring at an accelerated rate.” Notable market shifts have significantly raised the bar for technology companies. These changes include growth in direct-to-consumer volume and high expectations for near perfect accuracy and shorter order-to-delivery times. Henry Schein has benefitted from Lucas’ commitment to continuous innovation. “In pursuit of consistently fulfilling our customer commitment, we forged a partnership with Lucas Systems in 2006,” said Ed Igrisan, Vice President, U.S. Distribution West, South, and Canada, Henry Schein. “Since implementing Lucas Systems’ voice and AI optimization technologies, Henry Schein has achieved significant growth, exceeding $12 billion in revenue. This strategic partnership has helped to transform our distribution centers, driving substantial improvements in worker productivity, operational agility, and overall satisfaction for both our Team Schein Members and customers.”
Seeq Announces Industrial Enterprise Monitoring Capabilities with Seeq Vantage
The new Seeq Vantage app scales subject matter expert-driven insights for accelerated value across the enterprise Seeq has announced the launch of the Seeq Industrial Enterprise Monitoring Suite with the release of Seeq Vantage, the company’s first industrial enterprise monitoring app. Today’s industrial operations face numerous enterprise-level reliability, performance, and sustainability challenges, which are difficult to systematically identify, prioritize and correct to maximize operational potential. With siloed teams and information, and limited visibility to historical knowledge and insights from previous operations and events, it can be challenging for organizations to achieve measurable impact. The Seeq Industrial Enterprise Monitoring Suite provides a comprehensive, automated view of operational performance—past and present. This broader view enables better decision-making and continuous improvement across today’s complex, industrial ecosystems. The Seeq Industrial Enterprise Monitoring Suite leverages the combined power of the Seeq Industrial Analytics and AI Suite and the context that only teams of experts can provide—all at the scale needed to drive truly impactful results across the operational footprint. The Seeq Industrial Enterprise Monitoring Suite provides the flexibility, speed, and robust capabilities needed to operationalize a condition-based prioritization and decision strategy. Grounded in frontline expertise and insights, Seeq Industrial Enterprise Monitoring helps ensure decision-makers have key insights at their fingertips, allowing for faster, better decisions and actions. “Industrial Enterprise Monitoring builds upon and elevates the Seeq mission to enable the creation of the insights that empower decisions and actions that increase operational excellence, drive sustainable manufacturing, and, ultimately, the customer’s bottom line,” said Mark Derbecker, Chief Product Officer of Seeq. “We’ve always known that the people across the organization are the secret ingredient, and Industrial Enterprise Monitoring enables a company to turn local insights and expertise into a powerful system-wide advantage.” Through the Seeq Vantage app, industrial organizations can tailor, deploy and automate enterprise-level use cases, such as asset and process monitoring, condition-based maintenance, reliability and downtime tracking and more. Coupled with the Seeq Industrial Analytics and AI Suite, customers now have an integrated ecosystem to capture, analyze, aggregate, monitor, triage, investigate, and document insights and actions at the local level and the enterprise level. The app provides proactive and automated enterprise surveillance for daily operational decisions, and a comprehensive assembly of operational effectiveness and utilization understanding to prioritize longer-term investment decisions.
Softeon named a visionary in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™
Softeon’s recognition as a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems for the 13th consecutive time is based on our ability to execute and completeness of vision Softeon has announced that it has been named a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems for the 13th time in a row. A Gartner Magic Quadrant is a culmination of research in a specific market, giving you a wide-angle view of the relative positions of the market’s competitors. According to Gartner, “Depth and breadth of WMS functionality remain very important factors in choosing a new WMS, especially for companies replacing aging legacy systems. Increasingly, the technical architecture of the WMS is an important consideration for new WMS customers where adaptability, extensibility, user experience and cloud are priorities.” Softeon’s robust WMS solution empowers supply chain executives to oversee extensive and intricate integrations within a unified platform, encompassing material handling equipment, robotics, and additional enterprise software. It streamlines warehouse operations by facilitating the rapid integration of robots from multiple vendors, thus fostering efficient decision-making and task coordination. Designed to meet unique operational and workflow demands, the system boasts adaptability to evolving operational needs and the seamless incorporation of new technologies. This positions Softeon at the forefront of managing some of the world’s most complex, highly automated warehouses effectively. “We are honored to once again be named a Magic Quadrant Visionary in Warehouse Management Systems by Gartner,” said Jim Hoefflin, CEO of Softeon. “We believe this recognition is a nod at our commitment to serve and prepare our customers to grow through the ebbs and flows of the ever-changing warehousing market. Furthermore, it is a validation of our innovative capabilities and solutions road map.” Supported by a committed tech support team and the industry’s top experts, Softeon’s WMS revolutionizes operations for businesses in complex, high-demand, and unpredictable sectors aiming to enhance growth and efficiency. The proof of Softeon’s capacity to assist clients in scaling their operations is clearly reflected in its own significant growth, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness and the value it brings to every customer. For Softeon, recognition of its forward-looking and innovative WMS by Gartner for a second year in a row is the latest in callouts pertaining to the company’s significant growth. In addition to being named a leader by G2, Softeon recently announced office expansions in India and Atlanta, a rebrand, and updated WMS and WES solutions. The WMS provider also introduced a new executive leadership team, and hosted a customer-focused leadership forum – all in commitment to delivering limitless customer-centric solutions for propelling businesses through the ever-changing warehousing challenges.
Global Shop Solutions Ilya Dynkin reaches 25-year milestone
Working at the same company for 25 years is a rare occurrence these days. Global Shop Solutions has announced the latest addition to the Quarter Century Club, Ilya Dynkin, VP of Sales. When Dynkin joined Global Shop Solutions early in his career, he had no experience with ERP or manufacturing software. What he did have was enthusiasm, motivation, and the ability to find and win new opportunities, bringing in new customers. The love and care he shows to each person he works with isn’t just in the sale – it’s in the long-term relationships he builds. “We knew from the start we had a special person in Ilya because of the way he connects with manufacturers on a personal basis, understands their problems, and demonstrates how ERP software can correct them,” says Dusty Alexander, President and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. “He truly enjoys his work, and his spirit and enthusiasm for helping our customers simplify their manufacturing rubs off on all who work with him.” Dynkin prides himself on demonstrating how ERP software can help transform manufacturing companies and improve their processes. What he finds most rewarding is when customers have enough faith in him and trust in the company to want to become a lifetime partner. “At Global Shop Solutions our customers are buying software that will run their entire company from quote to cash, and I want to make sure they understand the importance of partnering with the right company,” says Dynkin. “Telling them who we are, the type of relationship they can expect, and the lifelong partner we want to be is an integral part of the process.” Dynkin believes that when a company shows loyalty to its employees, values and mission, it will keep its people engaged and performing their best. “I am proud of the growth Global Shop Solutions has achieved, but even more so the fact that we haven’t become corporatized,” says Dynkin. “The company’s principles and family atmosphere haven’t changed since I first came here 25 years ago. It continues to be a place where we support each other and can have open conversations with anyone, anytime. The family ownership truly cares about the people who work here, and always put them at the front of their decision-making process.” “I love the work,” adds Dynkin. “It’s gratifying to see the impact Global Shop Solutions has on our customers’ businesses, and I feel like I have a measurable impact on our company.”
Matrix Design Group hosts groundbreaking ceremony in Indiana
Matrix Design Group, LLC hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new headquarters in Newburgh, Indiana on April 18. It was attended by local community leaders and key stakeholders from Matrix Design Group and Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. The event signifies Matrix’s commitment to the local community and its vision for growth and innovation. The facilities will feature a new state-of-the-art product testing lab, expanded office space for growth, and a training center for employees, customers and distributors enabling increased education, support and development related to Matrix’s product lines. “Our new facilities will foster new opportunities. We are excited to expand our existing presence in Newburgh and, in the process, enable our growth internationally,” said Mark Watson, President of Matrix Design Group. “Since 2006, Matrix has distinguished itself as a leader in safety and productivity technological solutions. With this groundbreaking, we are building upon our company’s past success while growing to meet the needs of the customers and industries who benefit from our technologies.” With construction slated for completion by January 2025, Matrix is poised to expand its presence in the region and attract top technological talent from across the tristate area. Ultimately, the new headquarters will accommodate Matrix’s hiring of more than 150 additional employees over the next five years. “We are thrilled to be part of the Newburgh and greater Evansville community and look forward to further contributing to its economic growth and development,” said Joseph W. Craft III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix’s parent company, Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP). “We’re proud of the success of Matrix and their contributions to the safety and productivity of mining companies worldwide. As we look to the future, this investment in Matrix strengthens the company’s ability to attract and retain the highest-caliber tech and engineering minds in the region, while providing the organizational resources necessary for rapid growth and solving tomorrow’s challenges that businesses will face.”
SIBERprotect™ delivers automatic cyber response solution for industrial OT systems
Advanced, real-time, cyber-attack response limits the impact within milliseconds at machine speed, isolates and quarantines the infected production equipment to facilitate faster resumption of normal operations Following years of technical development and operational implementation design, Siemens introduces SIBERprotect for protection of critical infrastructure and OT systems at various industrial concerns, including power plants, water treatment facilities, all types of discrete manufacturing enterprises, military depots, data centers and control stations. SIBERprotect brings the SOAR (Security, Orchestration, Automation, Response) concept to cyber-physical systems with an OT-friendly and OT-managed methodology. SIBERprotect can respond to and dramatically limit the impact of a cyber attack within milliseconds, resulting in the identification of the infected production equipment groups or plant networks and enabling full visibility and a fast initial response at the automation system level. This quick response leads to much easier remediation and resumption of normal operations, usually in less than a day. Working in conjunction with Siemens SCALANCE S industrial security appliances, SIBERprotect can securely place OT into a safe, isolated condition, after determining the credible identification of a cyber-attack through best-in-class threat detection technology, including Intrusion Detection Systems, Next Generation Firewalls, Endpoint Solutions, Threat/Risk Intelligence and other attack or intrusion detection platforms, often enhanced with AI and machine learning capabilities. SIBERprotect then initiates a rule-based notification, network isolation and equipment management sequence to protect the selected equipment, as well as other desired response actions. Rapid assessment and remediation can then be performed, vastly limiting the risk of additional malware contamination. Work cells and equipment clusters can continue operation, while SIBERprotect prevents decontamination during remediation. SIBERprotect further provides detailed situational awareness, alerting operators to the exact nature of the threat, where it was detected in the network and a criticality level. This level of immediately available detail allows the response engine to simultaneously execute emergency measures to alleviate predetermined worst-case scenarios. Unlike a conventional system that merely sends messages to an SOC (Security Operations Center), the SIBERprotect system is linked directly to network firewalls, automation hardware and a prioritized system of alarms to facilitate isolation of equipment and jumpstart the cyber incident response. After a thorough introduction to SIBERprotect, many automation engineers label it a cyber safety system or Cyber-SIS. Other key features of SIBERprotect include the ability to automatically activate emergency backup equipment, interface with legacy technology such as Ethernet hubs, recover one segment or “restore all” functionality, isolate from the site IT network to prevent attack and provide all the benefits of a truly industrial solution. As Chuck Tommey, a digital connectivity executive with Siemens, explains, “SIBERprotect represents the reimagining of how to do SOAR, that is, Security, Orchestration, Automation and Response, where an alert was typically sent to an SOC, then reviewed by a security analyst and addressed 30 minutes to hours after initial detection. Meanwhile, a virus could spread throughout a line or the entire plant. What Siemens is doing with SIBERprotect is sending the alerts directly to a PLC for instant action, based upon a predetermined priority of status and threat levels.” Tommey notes that the PLC parses the messages for its criticality level and instantly responds. (See the video below for a demonstration.) SIBERprotect is part of the overall “Defense In Depth” suite offered by Siemens in compliance with IEC 62443, the international standard for industrial cybersecurity.
Synergy Logistics listed in the Top 100 IT Providers by Inbound Logistics for the ninth consecutive year
The committee selected the Top 100 Logistics IT Providers based on those offering the innovations their customers need to streamline supply chain operations. Synergy’s Tier 1 warehouse management system (WMS), SnapFulfil, and multi-agent orchestration software, SnapControl, were considered essential solutions in an era of fast-paced warehouse automation and robotics functionality. The recognition for SnapFulfil and SnapControl has been well received by the innovative company as it underpins how its leading-edge warehouse technology continues to evolve and remain relevant to the Inbound Logistics audience of top manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Synergy’s Chief Commercial Officer, Brian Kirst, said: “It’s no coincidence that Synergy has been recognized for nine consecutive years as a top 100 logistics IT provider. In a fast-paced world, we continue to invest in R&D and adapt our software to meet the ever-changing demands of our global customer base as well as introduce new products. “SnapControl is our latest solution, which is taking off as it tackles the need for seamless control of robotics and automation in the warehouse. It acts as a conductor of warehouse orchestration, otherwise known as multi-agent orchestration (MAO). Being vendor agnostic, it prioritizes work, allocates tasks and workflows, and ultimately enables companies to automate their operations on a much shorter timeline. But the real added value is the complete data picture it brings, which can facilitate tangible labor savings, accurate asset management decisions, and rapid time to value.”
Aionic Digital appoints Yaron Benjamin and Matt Zeiger to executive leadership team
Aionic Digital Appoints Yaron Benjamin and Matt Zeiger to Executive Leadership Team In a strategic move that underscores its commitment to innovation and leadership in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, Aionic Digital has announced the appointment of Yaron Benjamin, CEO, and Matt Zeiger, COO, to its executive leadership team. These appointments align with Aionic’s vision to drive business transformation through AI-driven solutions, heralding a new era of efficiency for data management, systems integration, customer engagement, and e-commerce. Aionic Digital is a technology consulting, specializing in AI, e-commerce, and customer engagement platforms. Its expertise is the ability to apply technical engineering solutions to solve business challenges. Aionic Digital understands how to execute AI initiatives and apply them to solve client challenges through solutions like shortening time horizons. The company also boasts leading experts on large data and systems integrations. Yaron Benjamin, CEO As CEO of Aionic Digital, Yaron Benjamin will drive technical excellence through the entirety of the organization. Benjamin is a technology leader focused on composable commerce, cloud architecture, and AI/machine learning (ML). With nearly two decades of experience in software engineering and enterprise architecture, Benjamin is passionate about developing solutions to solve complex technical challenges and drive businesses forward. With experience both in the public and private sector, Benjamin has worked for the Department of Defense as an Application Architect and most recently at Authentic as the Director of Technical Services. Benjamin brings experience working with Fortune 500 companies like Starbucks, Victoria’s Secret, and Cedar Fair. Ralph Miller, President, Aionic Digital said, “Yaron is one of the leading thinkers in terms of modern applications for solutions to complex technical challenges. As good as he is though, we felt it was important to appoint a CEO who is comfortable in knowing how complex technologies can be used by businesses to solve their challenges.” Benjamin, CEO, said, “Aionic Digital is at the leading edge of implementing ecommerce and customer engagement solutions that leverage AI to enhance customer experience. We have assembled a highly experienced team that is to deliver on this promise. I am truly excited at the opportunities we have to help lead our partners as they create great experiences for their customers. ” Matt Zeiger, COO As another key addition to the leadership team, Matt Zeiger will lead the operations of the business. He will help oversee both the product and project delivery teams, and develop reports to ensure the business consistently assesses its performance and meets its targets. Zeiger also boasts a wealth of experience, spending the last 15 years as a certified Project Manager. He has managed complex commerce, app, web, and loyalty programs for some of the world’s largest brands like Moen, Haagen Dazs, and Hilton. Zeiger shared his enthusiasm about joining Aionic, stating, “I am excited to become part of the executive team and to lead the execution teams in the work we are doing related to AI. The opportunity to become an executive within a company that is achieving such tremendous results in a short time is going to be a truly innovative experience, both in my career trajectory and in the overall value to the business and AI communities.” Mark Barrett, Co-Founder and CRO, remarked, “Matt is a difference maker for organizations. The consummate professional who embodies our core values of leadership by example, determination, and professionalism in all aspects of work and communication. We’re lucky Matt has chosen Aionic to help lead us in our journey.”