Executives Explore Technology Issues at the SME IT Executive Forum
13 September 1999
Executives Explore Technology Issues at the SME IT Executive Forum: Solutions for Global Automotive Manufacturing
New Program for Automotive Industry Takes Place
Sept. 14-15 at Detroit's Cobo Center
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 13 -- Executives explore information
technology (IT) and management issues affecting the automotive industry at the
IT Executive Forum: Solutions for Global Automotive Manufacturing, sponsored
by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) from Sept. 14-15 at the Cobo
Convention Center, Detroit, Mich. This one and a half day program provides
valuable insight on strategies required to integrate the manufacturing
enterprise (virtual and actual) through the implementation and management of
IT across the supply chain.
"The 21st century will present increased opportunity for the automotive
industry to implement new processes and technologies that respond to the
challenges of the global marketplace. To effectively and efficiently
implement these systems, it is imperative that the applications of these
technologies and processes be symbiotic across the entire supply chain and
throughout the virtual enterprise. This requires quick and accurate exchange
of information between OEMs and suppliers, and their individual operating
systems provided by diverse vendor and consultant groups," said Peter Janak,
vice president and chief information officer, Delphi Automotive Systems and a
member of The IT Executive Forum Steering Committee.
The Forum was developed by a steering committee representing original
equipment manufacturers, suppliers, IT consultancies and vendors, and
encompasses panels and keynote presentations covering four primary areas:
Dynamic Partnerships and the Extended Enterprise; ERP for Manufacturing; New
and Emerging Markets; and Standards in Communication and Information Sharing.
Speakers include executives and leaders from automotive OEMs
(DaimlerChrysler, e-GM and General Motors Corporation and Ford Motor Company);
automotive suppliers (Dana Corporation, GE Fanuc Automation North America,
Lear Corporation and Wainwright Industries); IT vendors (JBA International, JD
Edwards, Oracle Corp., QAD Inc. and SAP); leading consultants and advisors
(John Waraniak, Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath, AMR Research and The
Automotive Consulting Group); government organizations (Automotive Industry
Action Group, American National Standards Institute, Defense Information
Systems Agency, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology); and
other renowned companies (MCI WorldCom and the International Finance
Corporation of World Bank).
Keynote Presentations Provide Strategic Business Insights
The exponential growth of the computer and the Internet is causing the
collapse of monopolies, hierarchies and government regulatory schemes. On
Tuesday, September 14 at 7:45 a.m., George Gilder, high-tech visionary, editor
and founder of Forbes ASAP, will discuss the future role of technology in
industry, and how to successfully extend the abundant resources of silicon to
compensate for the one scarce resource in business -- the customer's time.
Senior-level automotive executives will also hear from Timothy Price,
president and chief executive officer, MCI WorldCom Communications at the
Economic Club of Detroit Luncheon on September 14 at 12 p.m. Price will
address integration management: merging communications and corporations.
Specifically, how to tackle, tame and leverage the two converging realities of
today's business world: merger-driven consolidation of resources and
technology-driven expansion of possibilities. What do these twin forces mean
for businesses, and how can managers use them to accelerate growth without
sacrificing efficiency?
On Wednesday, September 15, Don Wainwright, chairman and CEO of Wainwright
Industries, will be the featured keynote speaker beginning at 12 p.m. He will
present a case study on how to succeed as a manufacturer, providing a glimpse
into Wainwright Industries' strategic initiatives, its application of
technology to transform management practices, and a business model built on
change, organized around value-added services and constructed on strategic
thinking, long-term visioning and new market ventures.
Based in St. Peters, MO, the automotive and aerospace supplier has seen
its revenues grow by over 6,000% over the past 30 years, from $500,000 to more
than $30 million, with an average annual compound growth of 15%. Under its
Total Quality Management and an all salaried workforce, Wainwright Industries
is a leader in stamping, tool and die making, engineering and design,
including a deep-drawn motor housing. Under the leadership of Don Wainwright,
the company has received numerous awards for outstanding product quality and
total customer satisfaction, including the General Motors Mark of Excellence,
the Ford Motor Company Q1 Preferred and the McDonnell Douglas Preferred
Quality Award. Other accolades include the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award and the Missouri Quality Award.
Four Panels Focus on Key Issues in the Automotive Industry
Tuesday, September 14 -- 9 a.m.: Where are the OEMs Going? What is the
current and future strategic outlook of this industrial transformation with
regard to technology, the Internet and e-commerce, joint ventures, emerging
markets, dynamic partnerships, simulation, co-design, facilities and
collaboration? How far will component design and manufacturing go? What will
be the requirements for the Tier 2 and 3 suppliers in the future? What
strategic role will technology and process requirements throughout OEM and
supplier facilities play in the integration of the automotive enterprise? How
will the Internet impact operations (from the executive office to the plant
floor)?
Moderator: Dennis Virag, president of The Automotive Consulting Group,
Inc. Speakers: David P. Hodgson, vice president of Supply at DaimlerChrysler
AG; Tom Gorman, director of Business Development - Modules & Systems Group,
Dana Corporation; David P. Krysak, manager of Automotive Operations, GE Fanuc
Automation North America, Inc.; and a member from the e-GM Task Force Leader,
General Motors Corporation.
Tuesday, September 14 -- 2 p.m.: Standards in Communication & Information
Sharing -- Finding Solutions for Immediate Collaboration & Knowledge. The
panel will discuss and share potential solutions and activities that are
critical toward moving forward with information technology standards. What
steps are standards organizations taking to significantly contribute to these
measures, or similar challenges within other industries?
Moderator: John M. Waraniak, industry advisor. Speakers include: James
Lloyd, vice president - Information Technology, Lear Corp. and chairman of the
board, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG); Captain Brian Meyerriecks,
U.S. Navy, commander of the Center for Information Technology Standards,
Defense Information Systems Agency; Valerie Shuman, senior manager of
Strategic Initiatives, Navigation Technologies -- a member of the Information
Infrastructure Standards Panel (IISP) of the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI); and Dr. Rick Jackson, director of the Manufacturing
Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Wednesday, September 15 -- 8 a.m.: ERP -- Meeting the Needs of the
Automotive Industry. Leading providers of ERP systems and services share
insights on complete, end-to-end solutions for the manufacturing enterprise
(specifically -- plant floor applications), using innovative processes and
applications, and dynamic partnerships. Moderator: James Heaton, vice
president, AMR Research. Speakers: Charles Eggerding, vice president -
Automotive, QAD, Inc.; Mike Ger, senior account director, Oracle Corporation;
William Goodison, vice president of Industrial Vertical Solution Group, J.D.
Edwards; Susan Hill, Automotive Unit manager, JBA International; and Steven
Niesman, vice president of Partner & Solution Support, SAP America.
Wednesday, September 15 -- 10:30 a.m.: The Challenges of New and Emerging
Markets. The infrastructure for global supply chains -- a pragmatic blend of
processes and technology. OEMs and suppliers must be astute in the design of
their supply chains when investing in new and emerging markets outside North
America and Western Europe. Even the most basic implementations are limited
by a diverse set of factors ranging from functional literacy to availability
of communication technology. Attendees will hear experiences on how to
effectively manage supplier development, lean manufacturing and supply chain
systems in a developing economy. In addition, learn how successful leaders
think about bridging the skills and infrastructure gaps between the emerging
markets and the developed market environments, as well as successful
approaches to developing new processes that leverage the local skills and
technology to integrate new collaborators into an OEM or supplier's existing
processes and systems. Moderator: Cuneyt Oge, director of Automotive
Practice, Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath (PRTM). Speakers: Juan Callieri,
manager, Industry & Environmental Services Department, International Finance
Corp. -- World Bank Group; John Crary, vice president of Information
Technology, Lear Corporation; and Shamel T. Rushwin, vice president of
Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Ford Motor Company.
Oracle Automotive Executive Suite Brings E-Commerce
and Supply Chain Solutions
Oracle Corp., the world's second largest software company and the leading
supplier of software for enterprise information management, will be hosting an
executive suite during The IT Executive Forum.
The Oracle Automotive Executive Suite will provide an excellent
opportunity to see the company's comprehensive extended business solution for
demand and supply management and the e-business solution.
Automotive Solutions. Attendees will learn about a broad range of
applications, from supply chain functionality with Oracle Manufacturing and
Oracle Supply Chain Applications to CRM and database management.
E-business. The Oracle Automotive Executive Suite will offer attendees a
preview into e-business opportunities to leverage and successfully extend your
business to the Web, covering the entire spectrum of solutions -- from the
front end to the back end -- delivering the Internet platform, products,
partners, and professional services needed to bring your electronic commerce
venture to market, and distinguish your company's e-business from your
competitors'.
CASA/SME State of the Industry Reception Presents Latest Trends
Forum attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow peers,
executives, consultants, and industry leaders. The reception also features
the debut release of the 1999 Technology Trends in computers and automated
systems, produced by the Computer and Automated Systems Association of SME
(CASA/SME).
The Technology Trends document highlights important developments and
insights in computer and automated systems. Sponsors: Baan Company, Dell
Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Jacaba, Navidec, Unigraphics Solutions
and WTC.
Distinguished Committee Steers the IT Executive Forum's Program Content
A steering committee of 11 representatives from key industry segments
developed the program content and structure. Honorary chairs are: Joseph
Maglilochetti, president and chief executive officer, Dana Corporation and
Rushwin, Ford Motor Company. Other members include: Terry Bishop, managing
principal consultant, Oracle Corporation; Mike de Irala, director, Advanced
Manufacturing Technology Development, Ford Motor Company; Goodison of J.D.
Edwards; Janak of Delphi Automotive Systems; Niesman of SAP America, Inc.;
James Patrican, vice president, Meritus Consulting Services, LLC; Kenneth L.
Quint, director of Manufacturing Processes, DaimlerChrysler AG; Cliff
Triplett, Produce Product Process information officer - Information Systems &
Services, General Motors Corporation; and Jim Woodward, vice president and
corporate controller, Dana Corporation.
SME, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., U.S.A., is an international
professional society dedicated to serving its members and the manufacturing
community through the advancement of professionalism, knowledge, and learning.
Founded in 1932, SME has over 60,000 members in 70 countries. The Society
also sponsors some 295 chapters, districts, and regions, as well as 275
student chapters worldwide.