Advanced Software for the Manufacturing Sector

9:30-4:30 Tuesday 18th September, Liberty Stadium

This free seminar will highlight the ways that manufacturing companies are using software to improve their products, processes and services, and will help you see how your company might increase its competitiveness through use of software.

It will have material of interest both to those managing software and those developing software within a manufacturing company.

Please see programme below. Lunch and refreshments will be provided

9:30 Registration and Coffee

10:00 Five questions to ask your software suppliers Chris Price

You know that uneasy feeling you get when you talk to software people... This talk will focus on what to ask software people to be clear that they are developing the right software for you in the right way. It will focus on suppliers, but the same issues apply when the software developers are within your company

10:40 Saving time and money through intelligent database management David Bould and Cinzia Giannetti

A case study on how to take the data in your company and use it to improve company performance and product quality

11:00 Working with ASTUTE and SAW Brett Suddell and Matt Roach

Software can enhance what you manufacture in such ways that completely new products become possible. This talk will explore examples of where ASTUTE funding has been used to prototype new products involving hardware AND software to make new systems

12:00 Buffet Lunch and Networking

13:30 Specialised Subjects: Choice of four sessions giving in-depth experience of specific issues of interest:

(a) Mobile Devices : Apps have changed the mobile phone or tablet computer into a fount of all knowledge, and they are changing the business place too. Companies are integrating tablets into the workflow of their companies, and becoming more efficient. This talk will discuss the opportunities, focusing specifically on the manufacturing sector - Andy Starr and Chris Loftus

(b) Social Media: Manufacturing companies have perhaps been slower than others to employ social media in engaging their customers and publicising their capabilities. This talk will give an overview of the field and highlight the potential - Ian Harris

(c) Cloud Computing : Cloud computing, or "software as a service", has been hailed as a magic solution for companies struggling to meet their needs for computer processing - instead of having your own data centre, you pay someone a monthly sum to provide you with the computer power and services you need (stock control, web, payroll, etc.). This talk will cover the ideas, benefits, and potential drawbacks of cloud computing, and help you judge whether it might be right for your company - Neil Taylor

(d) Working with Software Developers: This session will cover the nitty-gritty of working with software developers, and how you can ensure that it is an experience that results in the software that your company needs at a fair price - John Gilbey and Huw Davies

14:45 Afternoon Tea Break

15:15 Session Repeat of the four one-hour sessions giving in-depth experience of specific issues of interest

16:30 Close of Seminar

Places are limited, early registration recommended