Collaboration

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A big welcome to John Weber, President of Software Toolbox. Software Toolbox is a one stop shop for industrial automation software for all project stages from conception through completion. Today John discussed how his experience as a field engineer and the Director of Marketing with an automation firm allowed him recognize that there was a need in the industry. Thus, Software Toolbox was born!

Fixing the pain

John Weber, President of Software Toolbox

While working with an automation distributor, John encountered a plethora of mid level software solutions that were needed to fully complete the picture. While all of these products existed, the infrastructure to make the purchasing easy from the customer view did not. Software toolbox provides a one stop source for customers looking for innovative software solutions in an organized and customer friendly format with world class support

What’s the return on investment?

We all love to hear success stories, and today John stunned us with one of his own. You have to take a moment to listen to the interview to hear John describe how a $2,500 software investment helped save a client over $21 million dollars! That’s right, I’ll leave it to you to work the numbers out, but needless to say what an incredible story of value and precision solutions.

We also want to take a moment thank our guest host today Mr. Bob Lowe who is the Executive Director of the Control System’s Integrator Association (CSIA). You can learn more about Mr. Lowe and CSIA by clicking here and here.

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Thanks for listening and Happy Holidays!

Tony Canonaco of Omron Automation & Safety

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“Our automotive business in the US is absolutely booming.” How’s that for being bullish on American manufacturing?

Tony Canonaco

Tony Canonaco, Vice President of Safety Automation Sales for Omron Automation and Safety, says so – and says so emphatically. In fact, he’s bullish on manufacturing in general. “Collaboration is key,” he says. And then goes on to explain how the industrial sector has recovered by focusing on the integration of all the components of a total automation solution.

The collaboration and integration happens on multiple levels. Omron, for example, concentrates on seamlessly packaging its own products and services to fit the unique requirements of each customer. They work just as hard at extending that customer-centric attitude by working with other suppliers to integrate their products and services. The network of distributors they’ve built adds yet another dimension to the knowledge, expertise, products and services melded together to help their customers become more productive.

Simplify the automation strategy!

Sounds complex enough as it is, but there’s also the global scope of it all. “One enterprise can’t produce everything that’s needed,” says Canonaco. ” Parts are manufactured all around the world, and bringing it all together is key.” That means smooth coordination of people, enterprises, knowledge, expertise, components and natural resources. It’s the stuff of creating not only successful local companies, but also a healthy global economy.

Canonaco also provides insight into what’s coming next. He sees the level of collaboration – on a global scale – becoming far more sophisticated; driving even higher levels of productivity. To make that happen, education is absolutely vital. From kids playing (and learning!) with Lego Mindstorms to post-graduate and leading edge research and development – it’s all exciting.

Don’t miss this insight-filled discussion with a manufacturing industry thought leader!