Omni-ID, a developer of on-metal passive UHF radio frequency identification tags, has introduced a new line of UltraThin tags and inlays. The devices provide on- and off-metal performance, an ultra-slim profile and support for flexible application on curved surfaces.
Aras, a vendor of open-source product lifecycle management (PLM) software, has made available cloud-based replication technology for Aras Innovator, developed by Ilesfay, a provider of data-replication services for organizations with distributed work groups.
Airclic, a provider of cloud-based mobility software, has released a new version of its Food Perform product for the food-distribution industry. The tool eliminates paper manifests and allows for clean invoicing.
Analyst Insight: In the past, collaboration technology has been a separate software segment encompassing web conferencing and document sharing. But technology providers are now blending these solutions with business applications such as logistics, forecasting and product design, creating a more natural user experience. After all, collaboration is about the business and the people.
Collaboration is also a catalyst for other technology sectors such as cloud, mobile and network infrastructure. - Ann Grackin, CEO, ChainLink Research
Analyst Insight: Consumer packaged goods manufacturers are being squeezed by trends in customer purchasing and technology, coupled with pricing pressures, higher input costs, and fluctuating commodity prices. In today's market, CPG companies have to integrate and collaborate with trading partners and better manage retail shelf space. Growing recognition that failure to innovate will result in poor performance, acquisition, or worse, is driving leading CPG companies to transform their operating models. - Ben Pivar, vice president, Supply Chain Technologies Practice, Capgemini North America Applications Services
ImpactFactor recently completed a study on supply-chain risk, surveying managers of more than 100 companies. The results were not encouraging. According to managing director Bill McBeath, many companies don't consider proactive risk-management to be a strategic tool. He was "shocked" at how level their level of investment in that area was, with half reporting expenditures of $50,000 or less to audit and assess suppliers. "Not a single one spent more than $3m," he says. "Given the huge potential impact [of risk] on their shares, we believe companies are seriously under-investing."
Graybar, a distributor of electrical, communications and data-networking products for supply-chain management and logistics, has made possible an alternative method of enabling network connections in commercial facilities.
