Conference review: Teknik and Data, Odense, Feb 2002
by Jens Kudsk Jensen

The original review in Danish is available. We also have an industry events page.

Danish exhibition gives clear pointers to post dot.com changes

Teknik & Data is an annual trade fair and conference, which takes place in Denmark in February. It is the place where users keep up to date with technology and IT Systems for optimizing business processes. All major software vendors and Systems Integrators selling CAD/CAM, PDM, PLM, ERP, SCM, CRM and Factory Automation are present.

At Teknik & Data last month there was evidence of the following changes:
Major structural changes in manufacturing industry
Users focusing on business optimization instead of technology
Important new trends like SCM, PLM, Extensions to ERP into e-commerce
Consolidation among IT manufacturers and dealers
CAD/CAM is now a commodity, like office automation
Low interest in traditional ERP - revenues are down
PDM is now mature
The phrase 'e-Business' has disappeared from the language

Structural changes in manufacturing industry

The business challenges for manufacturing industry today are bigger than ever before. Greater competition - partly due to globalization - has increased the pressure to develop and market new products faster and faster - and at lower and lower prices.

Just a few years go it was common for companies to operate in local markets, where the market development pattern was known with local competitors and well understood customer requirements. Globalization has changed this picture radically.

The trend year for 2002 is bigger and bigger global companies - often established through massive acquisitions. The focus is on the core business with extensive use of outsourcing and transfer of manufacturing facilities to countries with a lower cost structures. These trends have imposed a demand for change, in order to optimize business processes and supply chains.

New business concepts have created a demand for better management tools across borders. IT tools today are expected to support Extended Enterprises with a non-linear complex infrastructure. This drives the increasing demand for SCM, PLM, CPC and ERP II.

Consolidation among IT manufacturers and dealers

Structural changes in manufacturing companies have a downstream impact on IT manufacturers and the dealer network. This is magnified by two years of low revenues, partly due to the impact of the dot.com blowout.

At the same time these companies are increasing their demands on suppliers to support their businesses with bigger and better IT solutions. IT is critical to business success.

There is constant pressure on IT manufacturers to introduce new features, which support the complex business challenges at the customer site. This in turn means that the IT manufacturer needs a critical mass of resources available to develop and distribute new enhanced products.

These trends have led to consolidation among manufacturers and dealers.

Jens Kudsk Jensen

Bob Brown bob.brown@cambashi.com

Also in this issue:

Feature article: CRM - customise and conquer
Mike Evans gives his latest thoughts and recommendations on how to customise and conquer CRM in the current climate of tight budgets and struggling sales.

Hot topic: Web positioning
You may have a great website but are you getting the traffic you would like? Melanie Bradley gives some valuable hints on how to improve the number of hits on your website.

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