Monday, June 2, 2008

Cheerleader or analyst? This post is going to start a little weird, but bear with me. Scott McClellan just wrote a "kiss and tell" book about the Bush administration--and according to the reviews I've read talks about the failure of main-stream media to question the motives for going to war and how they just became cheerleaders. Actually, this is just the opposite of my view of the normal newspaper type journalists who are people who have never done anything, but they love to criticize those who do. Therefore typical main stream media is usually quite negative. Now, which of those views is accurate? Both? I bring this up because I've just finished the first day of Rockwell Automation's RS TechEd event--and I'm impressed. I'm a little afraid of being labeled a cheerleader, but then I'd rather point out when people do things right rather than just sitting back and criticizing those who are not. I really think Kevin Roach has put together a heck of a team and they are one of the few software companies in this space that is really moving forward. (I know, Rockwell Software isn't an official "company", but what the heck?) There were almost as many people here in Orlando for this event as for many entire companies' user conferences. The unofficial count is about 1,600. Roach's keynote emphasizing innovation played up both the acquisitions and the organic growth his division has made in the last 12 months. The Pavilion and Incuity acquisitions were hugely strategic as the company builds an integrated portfolio of manufacturing IT solutions. I sat in several training sessions today, and the energy, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was obvious. Don't forget, once in my life I worked for a Rockwell distributor, so I've seen the "dirty laundry" of the Rockwell empire. Didn't see much of that here. I've talked with several executives who were taking their companies into the enterprise software market. I always asked, "How are you going to sell this when you're used to selling hardware to the factory floor?" Roach topped Bob Honor to develop a sales force. I talked with him last night to get an update, and it sounds as if things are going well. He is building a global team to sell strategically. Not all the pieces are in place, yet, but I expect to see continued growth as Roach builds out his vision for an integrated manufacturing IT supplier company. And kudos to CEO Keith Nosbusch. I've talked with him twice about the financials of software versus the tradition hardware RA orientation. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's invested money with Roach and his team and is believes in the strategic value of information for the future of manufacturing. I should note I've seen similar growth in the process business--finally. I think those who dismiss Nosbusch and Rockwell do so at their own peril. I think the competitive landscape in discrete manufacturing automation, process manufacturing automation and software is in flux and the new winners will be surprising in some cases. Got to get to bed. Somehow they convinced Alvin Toffler to give a 7:30 am keynote--and I don't want to miss him. 10:15:51 PM    comment []

June in Orlando and no Mickey Welcome to June. I'm in Orlando at the new Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Rockwell Software's Tech Ed and Manufacturing 2.0. In just 90 minutes Rockwell Software VP Kevin Roach will deliver his keynote (that's  7:30 am EDT). I thought software people were late up and late to bed ;-) This used to be mostly a distributor tech specialist gathering, but over the last two years it has transformed into more of a customer event. The Manufacturing 2.0 sessions tomorrow are aimed at executives. Two years ago I "sneaked" in to sit in a couple of sessions and chat with a couple of RA managers. This year there must be 15-20 editors attending. There is also a Siemens PLM user conference in Orlando, but they don't have editors over there. I will be meeting with some people, though. Automation World has a couple of interesting Forums coming up--one sponsored by Rockwell and another by Siemens PLM. More as we get the details fleshed out--probably this week. They will be great venues to have important conversations on improving manufacturing operations. 6:13:09 AM    comment []