What a tubular decade – leg warmers, big glasses and even bigger hair! Miami Vice, Donkey Kong and breakdancing kept us entertained while Wendy’s asked ‘Where’s the Beef?’ Fax machines, personal computers and camcorders became popular and, we got our first CD player — all within 1980s.
It was during this era that many new domestic suppliers were gaining a foothold in the Midwest to support the supply chain needs of the newly located Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Along with securing locations, building new plants, hiring associates and implementing manufacturing practices, these new domestics were challenged with developing information systems to meet the complex needs of their new business along with the demanding requirements of the OEM.
IBM was definitely king (after all, no one ever got fired for buying IBM!) and systems evolved to support the manufacturer on this outstanding and stable platform. Major mid-range software firms developed MRP, ERP and EDI systems in RPG and COBOL, and manufacturers hired staff and consulting firms to help develop, customize and extend these systems to meet their needs. Graphical front ends and emulation applications were built to allow the applications to feel more modern and friendly, but largely the core applications remain frozen in the 80s.
Revolution Group has lived this evolution. We installed the systems in the 80s. We designed and wrote the modifications in the 90s and helped customers survive the crisis of Y2K. We understand the platforms of the era, the pros, the cons and the ways that organizations are now losing significant competitive advantage in this fast-paced, real-time, interconnected internet age.
For this reason we are introducing a 6 part series called ‘Revolutionize the Supply Chain’. Topics to include:
- EDI, Supplier EDI and improving your Procure to Pay process
- Lineside Labeling
- Inventory Control
- Data Visibility
- Leaning out your IT Staff
- Mitigating Risk
Our goal is to introduce our observed ‘present state of systems’ and compare it to possible ‘future states’ we have witnessed, as we understand that it is sometimes difficult to see outside of your own plant, and we surely know that technology is growing at breakneck speed!
When I look at old photos of myself, I laugh – Wow!  Those red glasses were really big. Times have changed — a lot! I hope you can join us.
Register today for the first webinar in our series:
EDI – It Doesn’t Have to be That Hard.
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Go to https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/536713390