ArticlesCambashi contributes to several industry publications and co-publishes reports with a number of industry organizations. Our broad industry and technology knowledge informs commentary on how companies can improve business performance by leveraging IT. We hope you enjoy reading our articles and regularly scheduled columns. For more information on the magazines and industry organizations we work with on an ongoing basis, see Publishing Partners.
 Silos changing: Product Lifecycle Management – when does that lifecycle start? April 2013Tony Christian This blog examines the starting point for PLM systems, given that increasing overlaps are appearing between enterprise and application functionality. The End of an Era for Source Code April 2013Peter Thorne This article explains how technologies are changing role of the software development engineer. Tools for Medical Device Development April 2013Peter Thorne Here, we look at two technologies and engineering methods, systems engineering (SE) and application lifecycle management (ALM), and discuss the way they address the needs of medical device development teams. Mapping the GIS Market: A Market Research Model from Cambashi March 2013Christine Easterfield This article explains how Cambashi defines the market segments for a more comprehensive view of the GIS and LBS technology sectors. Automation Future: Adaptable Expertise For Next-Generation Workforce February 2013Tony Christian Automation is increasingly important in maintaining competitiveness in manufacturing and distribution, butwhat is the impact on the workers in terms of required skills and the nature of their activity; and what is the outlook? Here we discuss the implications of automation for the workforce. Making Use of Advances in the Integrated Engineering Desktop February 2013Tony Christian In this article, we look at how advances in integrated desktop applications are impacting on engineering design Inventory Handling and Tracking Technologies February 2013Rory Christian In this article, we provide an overview of some the technologies used in warehouses to reduce operating costs and improve order fulfilment rates Mechatronics security by design February 2013Peter Thorne Here, we look at key considerations for safeguarding against vulnerabilities in mechatronics devices Managing Huge Data With Smart Meters November 2012Christine Easterfield Here, we look at the issue of the huge volumes of data generated by smart meters Integrating Power Electronics Design Technologies November 2012Tony Christian Our review of the design technologies for power electronics was published in ECN magazine Help IT Make Lean Manufacturing Work November 2012Tony Christian In this article, we discuss the role of PLM as an enabler for Lean Manufacturing Automation.com Reported on Cambashi's e-Learning Training Curriculum November 2012Read here for further details International Business Times reported on the new releases of Cambashi’s industry training curriculum November 2012Read more here Quality by Execution is Just as Critical as Quality by Design September 2012Cambashi research contributed to an article in Today’s Medical Developments regarding quality in design. Big Data: big headache or big opportunity? September 2012Tony Christian Tony Christian blogged on Big Data in The Manufacturer. Will Digital Manufacturing Fulfill Its Promise? September 2012Tony Christian Tony Christian contributed to an article on digital manufacturing trends in Automation World. Exploiting the Integrated Desktop September 2012Tony Christian Tony Christian contributed to Desktop Engineering's September issue on the topic of Exploiting the Integrated Desktop. Is the plant lifecycle too big for an enterprise application? September 2012Tony Christian Tony Christian's article on solutions for Plant Lifecycle Information Management appeared in Plant Services. Opinion: Integrating power electronics design technologies August 2012Tony Christian A review of the design technologies for power electronics by Tony Christian was published in EE Times under the title "Opinion: integrating power electronics design technologies". The driving force in automotive August/September 2012Cambashi data on the automotive market was included in a feature article on design technologies in the automotive industry in Scientific Computing World. Silos changing: PLM and ALM for Smart Products August 2012Mike Evans Mike Evans’ latest post in Cambashi’s regular blog for The Manufacturer. Managing the challenges of IT compliance and regulations August 2012Christine Easterfield Christine Easterfield wrote an article on managing the challenges of IT compliance and regulations in utilities, published in Fierce Energy. Integrating power electronics design technologies August 2012Tony Christian Tony Christian's article on power electronics design was published by Solid State Technology. Silos changing: Business demand for smart products June 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi blog discusses demand for smart products and devices from businesses as well as consumers. Moving the boundaries of data consumption June 2012Dan Roberts Dan Roberts, senior consultant at Cambashi, contibutes to this article which discusses how mobile business intelligence gives senior managers constant access to important information enabling them to make key decisions on the move. Applying mechatronics: Trends and tips June 2012Peter Thorne This article is Motion Systems Design discusses how engineers have embraced mechatronics to improve the design of consumer goods and industrial motion setups — but have had to develop techniques to deliver on its promises of flexibility and performance. The Manufacturer blog - Silos changing: Dynamic case management May 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi blog discusses how dynamic case management could be used outside the call centre to improve manufacturers' efficiency. Utilities Must Be Prepared For Smart Grid Data Explosion May 2012Christine Easterfield In this article in Renew Grid, Christine Easterfield explores how many factors are changing the way electric grids operate and how these factors have influenced organizations to re-examine the technologies that support the management and operation of the grid as it gets smarter. Making progress May 2012Tony Christian European Supply Chain Management featured the article, Making Progress, authored by Cambashi Director Tony Christian. The article discusses why these are interesting times for PLM. The Reality of PLM May 2012Simon Hailstone Simon Hailstone, Principal Consultant at Cambashi provides comment on 'The Reality of PLM' in an article about the benefits of PLM published in Aerospace Manufacturing and Design. All Change May 2012Peter Thorne Peter Thorne authored an article (in PDF format) for the publication 'Enhance Your IT Strategy 2012' issued by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, which takes a look at the changing face of software development. Reality check: immersive visualisation in design April 2012Tony Christian Tony Christian provides a commentary on how developments in simulation technology have opened the doors for design engineers in an article entitled 'Reality check: immersive visualisation in design' published in The Engineer. Manufacturing Executive April 2012Julie Fraser Manufacturing Executive featured the article, What Does Your Company Know?, authored by Principal Industry Analyst Julie Fraser. The article discusses how some companies are using best practices to ensure that knowledge is embedded in the daily workflow. ERP is Dead, Long Live ERP April 2012Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, asks whether we are facing the end of ERP or just the next evolution. ERP is Dead, Long Live ERP (419 KB pdf file) Opportunities Driving PLM Forward February 2012Tony Christian Supply Chain Brain's Resource Guide featured the article, Opportunities Driving PLM Forward, authored by Tony Christian. The article discusses the current challenge for the PLM solutions industry which is being subjected to the confluence of pressures that represents both a major challenge to established approaches and a substantial opportunity for harnessing new technologies to drive further benefit. The Manufacturer blog - Social Media in Business Processes April 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi blog discusses social media in business processes. Locked-in or Lucky? February 2012Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, reviews tactics suppliers can take to address the challenges of selling to customers who are switching brands more readily than ever before. Locked-in or Lucky? (420 KB pdf file) The Manufacturer blog - Simpler to Buy February 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi blog discusses the enterprise application deployments that make it simpler to buy products. The Manufacturer blog - Biz Initiatives responding to Savvy Consumers February 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi blog discusses manufacturers' business initiatives that respond to more informed consumer purchasing behaviour. ERP: The Unsocial Network? February 2012Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, discusses the fact that enterprise software solutions still haven't caught on to the social networking trend. ERP: The Unsocial Network? (422 KB pdf file) The Manufacturer Column - IT in manufacturing: PLM an introduction February 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi Column provides an overview of the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software landscape, the purpose of the technology, and the extent of its penetration in manufacturing. The Washington Post - Power of Global Exporting & Logistics January 2012Julie Fraser The Washington Post Series, Power of Global Exporting & Logistics, focused on the key role logistics is currently playing in today's global economy. Principal Industry Analyst Julie Fraser is quoted in two of the final articles titled, Returns: Making customers Very Happy and Keeping in touch with Customers. Breaking Down BIM Silos January 2012Christine Easterfield Point of Beginning published this article on the use of geospatial tools with building information models (BIM) in planning activities. "Innovation in Life" Comes to Life at the Dassault Systèmes 2011 Customer Conference January 2012Julie Fraser Principal Industry Analyst Julie Fraser attended and presented at the Dassault Systèmes 2011 Customer Conference. The theme of the Conference was "Innovation in Life" and Fraser presented at the Life Sciences industry track. "Innovation in Life" Comes to Life at the Dassault Systèmes 2011 Customer Conference (161 KB pdf file) The Manufacturer blog - Global Sourcing is a Trade-off January 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi blog discusses the challenge of maintaining product differentiation while optimising time-to-market and cost through global sourcing. The Manufacturer blog - Stimulating the Customer with Simulation January 2012Mike Evans This Cambashi blog discusses using visualisation and simulation when selling a product to a customer before it physically exists. Solving the Quality by Design Dilemma January 2012Julie Fraser Solving the Quality by Design Dilemma published by Quality Digest, discusses the Quality by Design (QbD) holistic approach to planning to ensure quality is inherent in products and processes. Beyond the 'Happy Path:' Managing Dynamic Processes Case-by-Case December 2011Julie Fraser Beyond the 'Happy Path:' Managing Dynamic Processes Case-by-Case published by Managing Automation, introduces dynamic case management applications and explains how they can help employees make the right decisions when events stray too far from the norm. ERP: Helping You and Your Partners December 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, tracks enterprise software's latest big shift to faster, better decentralised decision-making across your whole industry network. ERP: Helping You and Your Partners (296 KB pdf file) The Manufacturer - Cambashi Blog December 2011Cambashi Analysts & Consultants This Cambashi blog, Ensuring the Product does what the Customer Said, discusses applications that help enterprises implement business initiatives that support strategies around the product differentiation business driver. MES Decision: Now Easier and Harder Than Ever December 2011Julie Fraser MES Decisions: Now Easier and Harder Than Ever published by Automation World discusses the need for a plant-wide view to support integration and communication between automation and the enterprise. IndustryWeek also published this article. Pharma SC&L Conference Event Report: Angles on an Industry in Transformation December 2011Julie Fraser Principal Industry Analyst Julie Fraser attended the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Logistics Conference (Pharma SC&L) and facilitated a roundtable discussion on the topic, When should processes and systems be standardized vs. unique. Pharma SC&L Conference Event Report: Angles on an Industry in Transformation (123 KB pdf file) Regional Development Flawed December 2011Mike Evans In this column published in The Manufacturer, Mike Evans questions the motivations and strategy behind government's Regional Development Fund and examines how the fund's money is being spent. Infor Scores a 10 November 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, reviews the launch of a whole new Infor along with the introduction of Infor10. Infor Scores a 10 (255 KB pdf file) Get Smart about Operational Intelligence November 2011Julie Fraser Get Smart about Operational Intelligence published by Managing Automation, describes a new breed of software that can help manufacturers reduce waste and cut costs in a challenging economy. The Role of GIS in the Smart Grid November 2011Christine Easterfield The Role of GIS in the Smart Grid, published in the Cadalyst, discusses the need for network operators to require location as a standard for effective system management as two-way communications enhance dialogue between power consumers and suppliers. Get Smart with Embedded Software November 2011Mike Evans Get Smart with Embedded Software, published in Desktop Engineering, discusses how the ever increasing proportion of smart products and devices we interact with in our daily lives are changing the design process and the role of engineers. The Manufacturer - Cambashi Blog November 2011Cambashi Analysts & Consultants Manufacturers should look at the whole customer need in an "idea to delivery" or I2D framework, argues the Cambashi blog, November 1, 2011.
This month also kicked off the Silos Changing blog series, November 14, 2011.
The second in the Silos Changing blog series focused on Portfolio Planning, November 29, 2011. Can Kenandy Kick it? October 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, assesses a new force in cloud-based enterprise applications. Can Kenandy Kick it? (285 KB pdf file) Get Ready for RLM: Wherever You May Roam October 2011Peter Thorne Get Ready for RLM - Mobile devices and app-driven commerce offer clues to the future of product data authoring and delivery. In this article, Kenneth Wong interviews Peter Thorne on the challenges for mobile PLM. Instilling Certainty September 2011Julie Fraser Instilling Certainty, published by Today's Medical Developments, discusses the benefits of a Total Product Lifecycle implementation. Co-bylined with Damien Plisson, Dassault Systèmes. How to Ensure Quality Across the Supply Chain September 2011Julie Fraser How to Ensure Quality Across the Supply Chain, published by Managing Automation, describes how quality problems emanating from suppliers or outsourcing partners can hurt your brand and your business. This article reviews some software options to detect, control, and prevent this outcome. Embedded Software: the Revolution Continues September 2011Peter Thorne Embedded Software: the Revolution Continues published by the ECN Daily declares that the embedded software revolution has transformed design engineering in automotive, aerospace and both high tech and consumer electronics sectors. Still Confused about MES/MOM? September 2011Julie Fraser Still Confused about MES/MOM? published by Managing Automation, describes a wealth of tools on MES and MOM, including courses, guidebooks, and savvy consultants, who can help span the understanding gulf between manufacturing executives and the technologies. Visionary or Fool? August 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, proposes that it may be more useful to be on time with technology, not ahead of time. Visionary or Fool? (509 KB pdf file) Other Voices: How smart is your automated system August 2011Julie Fraser Other Voices: How smart is your automated system published by Modern Materials Handling challenges companies to figure out what their customers care about. Buyers are looking for suppliers - whether distributors or manufacturers - that can deliver value, reliability, quality, agility and visibility. Embedded Software Development Tools August 2011Peter Thorne Embedded Software Development Tools, published by Control Engineering, announces recent research conducted by Cambashi that shows opportunities in the embedded software developer tool market. Israel: A Vibrant Centre for Product Development Software July 2011Michael Morein IDG Connect, The Global Business Library, posted Senior Consultant Michael Morein's blog on Cambashi's research observations on the technical applications market in Israel, which has been a consistently strong growth market for CAD, CAM, PLM, GIS, simulation and visualisation. Collaborating Across Engineering Disciplines July 2011Julie Fraser Collaborating Across Engineering Disciplines, published by Managing Automation, reviews vendor offerings of a new generation of PLM software that helps engineers leverage each other's work, improving product and process efficiency. E.Coli and ERP: Lessons from a Tragedy July 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, discusses the inadequate traceability revealed in the recent E.coli outbreak and the relevant lessons for enterprise systems. E.Coli and ERP: Lessons from a Tragedy (279 KB pdf file) Solving the Technology Payback Riddle July 2011Julie Fraser Solving the Technology Payback Riddle, published by Managing Automation, recommends using new technologies and improved accounting methods to support quicker project startup and more accurate ROI forecasts. OpsInsight Event Report July 2011Julie Fraser Principal Industry Analyst Julie Fraser attended and presented at the OpsInsight Leadership Forum hosted by Halcyon Business Alliance. At the Forum, Fraser presented together with client Jonathan Kall of Vecco International, and participated as a panelist in a session hosted by Roddy Martin of Competitive Capabilities International. The theme for the 2011 event held in Boston MA was "Improve Business Performance. Navigate. Execute. Optimize." Read Fraser’s full report on the Forum, in which she presents unifying themes as well as selected conference highlights and key take aways from several keynote sessions. OpsInsight Event Report (64 KB pdf file) Spend, Spend, Spend? June 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, discusses the recent reports that ERP systems purchasing has finally recovered, and announces UK application software spending growth by industry sector. Spend, Spend, Spend? (501 KB pdf file) Engaging Your Business Networks June 2011Julie Fraser Engaging Your Business Networks, published by Managing Automation, provides some forward-thinking examples of how to foster genuine interaction between a company's enterprise system and their partners or customers. Aberdeen Goes Green May 2011Kathy Strachan The city famous for being the centre of North Sea oil production hosted the UK’s largest renewable energy event in May 2011 - the All-Energy 2011 Exhibition and Conference. In this article, Kathy Strachan, Principal Consultant at Cambashi, reports on the conference held in Aberdeen, Scotland which enjoyed record attendance with over 8,000 attendees from more than 50
countries, approximately 580 exhibitors from 20 countries, and presentations from over 280 speakers. Hot topics at the conference included sustainable, renewable, green economy, carbon foot print, low carbon technologies, carbon capture, smart meters and even smart grids, investment and innovation. ERP: Change without Tears May 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, discusses the latest ERP innovations discovered at the Sage Software North American analyst event and the Activant 2011 Summit. ERP: Change without Tears (226 KB pdf file) Reflections on COFES 2011 May 2011Tony Christian COFES 2011 was one of the important annual events in the technical applications industry, and this year Tony Christian attended. In this article, Tony reports on the conference and his presentation, the International Business Update. Reflections on COFES 2011 (103 KB pdf file) Best, Cheapest or Niche? April 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, examines which vendor strategy is in the best interests of buyers of ERP systems. Best, Cheapest or Niche? (300 KB docx file) Social ERP - Is it all Hype? March 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, discusses the relationship of social media and ERP. Social ERP - Is it all Hype? (414 KB pdf file) The Evolution of Plant Systems February 2011Julie Fraser The Evolution of Plant Systems, published by Managing Automation, reviews three questions you should answer if your company is considering an MES/MOM system. More Bang for Your Bucks February 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, analyzes the latest research into ERP spending. More Bang for Your Bucks (43 KB pdf file) The Next Move for ERP Software January 2011Julie Fraser The Next Move for ERP Software, published by Managing Automation, discusses recent actions by software vendors that provide clues to what manufacturing companies actually need from their ERP systems in the changing global economy. What Use is Mobile ERP? January 2011Dan Roberts This article, originally published in Evaluation Centre, discusses whether mobile ERP is just hype or actually has productive uses. What Use is Mobile ERP? (242 KB pdf file) Articles Archive |
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