There is no doubt that the packaging industry is a complex spider’s web of intertwined uses across a broad spectrum of subsections. However, environmental issues and new material developments are becoming big drivers of growth right across this complicated industry.

The author, Edward Payson Powell, had a great way of saying farewell to the year: “The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!”

Although metal shops have actively engaged in automation over the last decade, incorporating robots for precision-driven or dangerous functions, such as welding and material handling, it is only fairly recently that what once seemed like a science-fiction writer’s daydream is becoming a part of everyday fabricated metal processes.

The idea of inanimate objects as intelligent beings has been around for centuries. The ancient Greeks had myths about robots, and Chinese and Egyptian engineers built automatons.  In modern times, the term was first coined in 1956 by American computer scientist and inventor, John McCarthy, at a conference in New Hampshire.

If you are a food manufacturer, you have probably pondered this critical question more than once: “Do I have the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure I am able to seize new opportunities and grow at a successful rate?”

These days, food and beverage companies are facing tougher challenges than ever before. The food industry has become increasingly complex for manufacturers to navigate and remain compliant. In the highly competitive food marketplace, the demands can soon start to outgrow your business and suddenly you’re slapping on Band-Aids without a passing thought for the implications on long-term growth.

You could argue that ERP is a not a sexy, new subject. It’s not a cool 3D printer, or a technologically advanced ‘hybrid car’. In fact, I could probably say that ERP is more the sedate station wagon than the sleek supercar. Does this mean ERP companies do not constantly innovate? Or continually seek out partnerships that enhance their product offering? Absolutely not. SYSPRO ERP may not be new, but it is a system built around listening to market trends and innovating accordingly.

I am certain that many service providers believe that they are adding value to your business. Most have impressively drafted mission statements that reflect this belief. It is debatable how many of these organizations actually fulfill this principle. Our Product Roadmap covers our innovations that focus on optimizing business processes – ensuring that we keep our focus firmly on creating value for our customers.

Customer Service Bot a Big Hit at ERP Conference

At our Africa customer conference this year I showed off a new member of the SYSPRO stack, a Bot christened Ken. I highlighted how intuitive the Bot is, using the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to have an intelligent, and even anticipatory conversation with the customer.

Barcodes have been around since the mid-‘70s, when they were first introduced into the retail environment. Today, it’s hard to imagine a supply chain or stock control system without them. But newer technology is fast threatening the continued existence of the faithful numerical striped mark.