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Dr. Livermore explains how advantageous ERP is when it is used to integrate technologies in large businesses, along with their associate businesses.

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Filed under: Enterprise Architecture | Industries | Information Technology | Jeffrey Livermore

Dr. Livermore also pointed out that for many large businesses, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) computer applications make it possible to integrate multiple technologies. This is especially important for information sharing and processes across various departments to communicate in real time. Implementing an ERP system is extremely expensive, but for companies that can afford it, there are many benefits. Additionally, if businesses can convert their vendors, partners, and/or suppliers to use the same ERP system, they will gain even more advantageous economies of scale at every step in the supply chain process. This is because between these companies' interactions, the system allows for seamless file sharing, communication, and efficient inventory and resource management. Furthermore, companies are able to use their resources more efficiently when their processes flow continuously without pauses.

Michigan has a rich history in innovation. Many of which have made major changes all over the world, not to mention, the foundations of how we live our modern lives today. In this part, I start with the innovator, Henry Ford, who manufactured the Ford Model T automobile one hundred years ago in 1908!

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Filed under: Automotive | Henry Ford | Industries | Innovation | Manufacturing | People

The other day I was flipping through my AAA Living magazine, and came across a snippet about a discount for AAA members to the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village and Ford Rouge Factory Tour.

This discount is to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Ford Model T rolling “off the assembly line”. So as we drive to work in our modern cars, it is astonishing to think that it was only 100 years ago that the Model T was created. And it goes without saying that this invention made significant changes all over the world. This is one reason why Detroit, Michigan is called Motor City and Motown. 

I have been lucky enough to visit all these places, and people here in Michigan don’t seem to realize how fortunate we are to have these most unique and best museums in the world! And it all started in Michigan’s rich history of innovation.

In the next part of this series, I will bring up more innovators in Michigan’s history.

 

I explain how this Web Development is so valuable for creating Web-sites, and why it is important to focus on search engine optimization. By managing Google Adwords accounts we were able to understand a variety of issues when creating Web pages.

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Filed under: Industries | Information Technology | Innovation | Web Development

Furthermore, since this class was a Web Development class, it was especially important to learn how Web site development was related to search engine optimization. So we had to think of keywords people would use who were interested in the services and products our non-profits would offer, and create ads relevant to these keywords, as well as landing pages that would lead to conversions. Conversions refer to actions we  want the Web-site visitors to take, such as donating money. This combination of concepts is the latest emerging business trend online.

Why have a Web site if no one is going to read it?

With a strong focus on search engine optimization, we were able to lure people to the Web site by creating landing pages for our Google Ads. We learned which strategies and keywords worked and which ones didn’t through Dr. Gibson's lectures, group presentations, and trial and error.

In the next part, I will write about the Google Adwords Grants program that helped make this class possible.

In this part, I reveal who this innovative professor is and why I took this class. Through a partnership with Google and collaborative learning in the classroom, I now have skills that I will continue using.

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Filed under: Industries | Information Technology

My reasons for taking Dr. Bud Gibson's Web Development class:

Well, mainly because I acquired a ton of useful knowledge. The key to learning all this stuff was from various types of assignments (mostly goals) that were related and tied together at the end of the semester. I love to learn, but I am especially motivated when I can apply what I learn.

This class is currently available at Eastern Michigan University, and it will also be implemented in other universities all over the country. This professor, Dr. Gibson, created an innovative way to teach, right here in Michigan.

This information systems Web development class I took last semester was taught by Dr. Gibson who partnered with Google to give stuends a chance to work on real Google Adwords accounts. Since I had a full schedule, and had to drop at least one class, there was no way I was going to drop this one when I realized that this was an opportunity of a lifetime.

In the next part I will tell why this class was such a success...

Education is especially important in a slow economy. However, most college students will admit they use less than 25% of the knowledge they gained in college in the workplace. However, one Michigan professor found an innovative way to teach students how to "grab the bull by the horns" in the rapidly changing world of Information Technology.

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Filed under: Industries | Information Technology

The more people learn, the more information and opportunities they have to be innovative. This is why education is so important and how it will help the Michigan economy. Furthermore, it would be great if knowledge from college could be even more applicable than it is now.  This could be the extra edge educational institutions in Michigan need to boost the economy.

Since the business world discovered lean manufacturing, I am just waiting to see this concept seep into other areas as well. There is so much going on, that focusing on only useful, core operations and getting rid of waste is the only way for companies to survive. So I have been wondering when "lean teaching" will take hold. Now I think it is finally starting...

First of all, I want to point out that I found all of my classes in college to be extremely valuable. However, many college graduates will tell you that once they are in the workplace, they only use less than 25% of what they learned in college. I assume that 50% of what they learn in the workplace is simply experience and hands-on type of stuff. But what about the remaining of the 25% knowledge required to do their jobs? Wouldn’t it be nice if a college education could be more customized to fit specific industries or companies? Well, last semester one of my professors customized a class that is 100% applicable in that field of work. In other words, everything that I learned in that class, I am using all of that now.

To be continued in Part 2...

Every job now requires more training and education. Companies are more selective and are looking for more educated people with high tech skills. Additionally, we are competing globally in industries where jobs can be fulfilled overseas.

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Filed under: Industries | Manufacturing

Since we are in the midst of an Information Revolution, even rudimentary jobs have seized workers who think they escaped having to go to college, who still have to go through more training and education. Additionally, many college graduates in the workplace are learning that their education will continue through company training and professional development programs. All this education is now necessary to ensure that workers have the abilities to contribute to their companies accordingly.

With all these innovations, more is accomplished, all while plants now only require about half the workers than in the past. There have been a lot of changes, especially in standardization, where standard equipment requires “less manual labor” and maintenance. As a result, demands for labor have shifted to demands for more educated and knowledgeable workers. The “selection process” is tougher now, and workplaces everywhere are “purging people in business” to get more educated people with more high tech skills, such as programming. The transition in the labor force is mostly only allowing more educated people in the workplace. Additionally, in this global economy, jobs are sometimes fulfilled by workers overseas who will accept much lower wages.

With all these new innovations, processes and technologies, more is accomplished and less capital is invested. This is the overall goal of every organization.

As a result of the progress in technology, new expectations emerge from everywhere. Now companies are more focused on quality, as well as a more work friendly environment for employees.

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Filed under: Industries | Manufacturing

With higher efficiency, productivity, and technology across the board, this creates a new plethora of expectations. As a result, quality has become a central concern of every company that wants to keep up or surpass its competition. Customers are tougher to satisfy and are more intolerant of below standard products. So manufacturers have found ways to test, measure, and check all parts, whereas, in the past, only a certain ratio or percent of parts were inspected, such as one of one hundred, or 1%. Now quality is expressed in more precise terms and accurately represents all the parts. In order to keep up with these quality demands, companies have turned to technology. Among many other tools that measure quality quickly and more easily, there are robots that can measure just about anything if a company wants to invest a significant amount of capital in the latest in technology. Now there are even programs that can do a number of processes, from just a few clicks on a computer or push of a button.

In addition, the work place, even in manufacturing plants, has become more ergonomic. Providing more than just comfort, the ergonomic workplace helps reduce injuries and increase productivity.  Additionally, workers enjoy a more organized and cleaner environment than in the past. Not to mention more focus on safety, and regard for everyone, which improve morale and productivity.

Here is my interview with someone who works in manufacturing in Southeast Michigan. He shared the changes that have been taking place, as well as how automotive plants are adjusting to meet the needs of the market.

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Filed under: Industries | Manufacturing

Recently, I interviewed someone working in the manufacturing industry. I asked him about the future of the auto industry and manufacturing in the Michigan economy.

It is no secret to those working in the manufacturing industry how assembly lines have changed. However, these changes, especially in the processes, could be advantageous when shifting gears to meet the needs of the ever-changing market. For instance, in manufacturing plants, assembly lines have become multi-functional. In other words, machinery can be used to create a range of parts, rather than the older machines that could only make one part. So even though the auto industry in Michigan is slowing down, it will be less painless to use machinery in auto plants, for other products as well.

Additionally, now it is “easier to move stuff in and out” of a manufacturing plant since there is more flexibility and efficiency with machines that have multiple functions. “In the old days, manufacturing companies had to invest more in equipment and real estate” to house and maintain single purpose machines. As assembly lines become more versatile, it takes less money, time, land, equipment and labor to accomplish more. Even as little as ten years ago, comparing the output of machines from then to now; the results are astounding.