The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) International this week hosted its 2011 North American Conference themed “Cloudy with a Chance for Profits.” The conference brought together manufacturing executives and industry leaders to share best practices for achieving operational excellence, applying new technologies and improving business processes across the supply chain and manufacturing operations.
The three-day event began September 19 with an enterprise cloud workshop. Participants discussed the role of cloud computing in the industrial workspace and assessed the risks and benefits associated with moving applications to the cloud. The conference also offered an executive workshop and roundtable, where executives explored common issues shared across the industry, including aging workforces, stricter regulations, obsolescence and sustainability.
Session and workshop topics addressed during the event included: operational flexibility and agility in Business Process Management frameworks, attaining and maintaining double-digit OEE improvements by empowering the workforce with real-time actionable intelligence, best practices in asset performance management, best practices in process safety, and the evolution of mobility in the manufacturing environment.
Keynote speakers focused on real-time solutions that help drive significant business benefits. Author and keynote speaker Michael McMillan discussed the benefits of turning problems into solutions and profit. Keynote speaker Chris Gaffney, senior vice president, Product Supply System-Strategy, Coca-Cola Refreshments, addressed end-to-end business processes and touched on both supply chain and manufacturing operations.
“MESA’s objective was to provide powerful, impactful information and real-world experiences to help manufacturers move their businesses forward,” says John Southcott, chair, MESA International. “This year, we had a great group of experts that shared their experiences and best practices to cut the clutter and achieve real-time operational excellence.”
The 2011 North American Conference was made possible by:
- Platinum Keystone Sponsors: ATS, GE Intelligent Platforms, Invensys, Rockwell Automation, Siemens
- Gold Keystone Sponsors: Brock Solutions, CDC Software, Lighthouse Systems, Microsoft, MPDV, OSIsoft
- Premium Sponsors: Tata Consultancy Services
- Associate Sponsors: Meridium, Schneider Electric
- Lanyard Sponsor: ATS
- Pen Sponsor: Apriso
- Analyst Sponsors: ARC Advisory Group, Cambashi, Aberdeen Group, IDC Manufacturing Insights
- Media Sponsors: Automation World/Summit Media Group, CFE Media, IndustryWeek
- Attendee Gift Sponsors: Invensys, Brock Solutions
- Cloud Workshop Sponsors: Rockwell Automation, Microsoft
- Welcome Reception Sponsor: Microsoft
- Association Partner Sponsor: CB&I
- Corporate Host: Coca-Cola Refreshments
- MES Product Survey Sponsor: Logica
For more information on MESA International or its 2011 North American Conference, please visit: http://conference.mesa.org/en/index.asp.
