Walt Boyes' Blog

One of the breakout sessions was Kevin Roach, vice president of Rockwell Software, interviewing Andy Woehl, plant floor IT guy from Clos du Bois winery in Napa, Cal. The first real problem, Woehl said, was with the database. IT had a greatly different definition of database integrity and safety than we did. IT is used to dealing with financial data, which must be protected … [Read more...] about IT in the Winery…Production Can Get Stomped

"Walt Boyes, from CONTROL magazine. This question is for Mr. Nosbusch, since Mr. Taylor has already stated that MBUSI created its own apprenticeship programs. Rockwell is famous for its young engineer development and training programs, but what is the company doing to stimulate the desire in elementary, middle and high schools to undertake careers in manufacturing?" "Frankly, … [Read more...] about Keynote Q and A

Keith Nosbusch, who has worked for Rockwell Automation most of his working life, and is now CEO took us on a tour of the "new and improved" Rockwell Automation. "We have always had a strong customer focus," he said, "but now we have a customer-centric culture." Apparently, a focus is not as good as a culture. And he may be right. It may be the difference between hunters and … [Read more...] about Nosbusch on the New Rockwell

Following John Engler is a hard act... but Bill Taylor did well. He is CEO of Mercedes-Benz US-International, a division of DaimlerChrysler. They are rolling out the new R-class (which several wags have noted bears a startling resemblance to the Chrysler Pacifica...although I am assured that they don't share any parts...)and we can all see one and buy one tomorrow at Automation … [Read more...] about Next UP: Bill Taylor from Mercedes-Benz

The hurricanes exposed a serious weakness-- US enery supply is fragile and is easily broken, according to former Michigan governor John Engler. Huge effects are expected on the economy as the energy weakness of the USA washes through the economic situation.The consumer price index has already jumped over 5 percent... Dow's energy cost has exceeded 50 percent of revenue... China … [Read more...] about Engler Calls for National Energy Policy