While folks from IT and the factory floor usually don't hang out together in the break room, there is undoubtedly a close relationship between the two groups in that modern manufacturing operations can't survive without the help of IT. But which technologies are most important? According to several IT experts interviewed by INMFG, investments need to be made in systems that permit sharing of real-time data and in systems that encourage visibility throughout the now-global manufacturing operation and supply chain. "There are two trends in manufacturing that necessitate an investment in IT. The first is the need to build-to-demand, which requires a modern system that allows manufacturers to operate in a real-time business mode," says David Haskins, executive vice president of development with Webplan, a solutions provider. "The second is the trend toward outsourcing segments of the manufacturing operation and the supply chain from North America to overseas. When this happens, manufacturers need a system that provides visibility of information over the entire business network."
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