Kevin Parker, editorial director

Global corporations see advances in applying search to product data

Most software applications are model-based, and include the set of procedures required to, for example, build a schedule, design a product, or control a production process. Search is different. It's an interface. And yet search is more than a box in the upper right corner of a screen. Combined with a data model and appropriate infrastructure, search is the means to very powerful applications.

Interop/Software 2008 addresses distributed performance challenges inherent to PLM

It's impossible to miss the fact that large global enterprises as well as midsize manufacturing companies have been centralizing their IT resources for several years now. They do so not only for the projected economies of scale, but to ease compliance management across multiple fronts. With systems scattered the world over, “Companies didn't know where their servers were, and they didn't ...

Content connections: Interop/Software 2008 addresses distributed performance challenges inherent to PLM

Large global enterprises as well as midsize manufacturing companies have been centralizing their IT resources for several years now. They do so not only for the possible economies of scale, but to ease compliance management across multiple fronts. At this year’s Interop/Software 2008 conference and expo, it was clear that at least several IT infrastructure providers have “felt the pain” of manufacturers and are offering distributed computing options.

Autodesk to “democratize” industrial design as it has 3D product engineering

Autodesk, with annual revenues that will soon top $2 billion, is the largest computer-aided design (CAD) vendor in the world. The company believes some day manufacturers will create “virtual” product worlds with the same visualization technologies used by Sony Pictures Imageworks to generate special effects seen in big-budget movies like the Spiderman trilogy and Beowulf.

Visual nature: Fashionistas say they know as much about innovation—and outsourcing—as the others

The needs of the fashion industry, when it comes to product life-cycle management (PLM), are different from those of other discrete manufacturers. But as systems evolve for fashion life-cycle management, it may be that these fashionistas—obsessed as they are with visual images—have something to teach other kinds of goods makers.

Clear signals: SaaS approach makes performance dashboards more accessible

A new company out of Lafayette, Colo., called myDIALS, introduced in February what it says is the first hosted software solution for template-based development of interactive displays to analyze operations, production, and business metrics. Tools maker Snap-on already is rolling out the solution to 4,000 users.

PTC unveils new version of Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, plans for CoCreate

Some might find it ironic that PTC, the originator of parametric modeling, now has its own “explicit” modeler. The new modeler comes with the $250-million acquisition of CoCreate that PTC announced in late November. “PTC built the very first parametric modeler,” says James Heppelmann, PTC EVP and chief product officer.

Kevin Parker: Digital manufacturing puts PLCs in contact with PLM

Continuing debacles at Airbus and Boeing demonstrate a looming chasm exists between today's advanced computerized design capabilities and shop-floor realities. The cure is called “digital manufacturing.” Two vendors, Siemens PLM Software and Dassault Systemes, recently made announcements or held events to further understanding of digital manufacturing.

S&OP encompassing broader financial and performance parameters

Say there's a software application that models some common business process or function. Over time, the solution's footprint traipses around like a veritable Pac-Man, swallowing up neighboring functional areas at a fearsome pace as vendors add features they believe will lead to greater using-management mindshare.

The future of business applications: SAP takes two roads to SOA 

Henning Kagermann, chairman and CEO, SAP, says by moving users to service-oriented architecture in two ways, SAP is ensuring its continuing relevance within the software industry.