Skip to content

Displaying 1-10 of 916 results for

Last 180 Days clear

Celebration of New England Manufacturing Reception

EAST Session: Wednesday, May 14 from 5-7PM Sponsored by the Eastern States Exposition and West Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. This event, featuring appetizers and beer, will take place outside between buildings 3 & 5.

Ditch the Guesswork: Use AI to Truly Understand Your Customers

EAST Session: Abstract : Manufacturers have more customer data than ever before, yet many still struggle to turn that data into real insights. Too often, sales teams rely on gut instinct, outdated reports, or incomplete CRM entries, leading to missed opportunities and inefficient processes. AI changes the game by analyzing patterns humans can’t see, uncovering hidden sales opportunities, and predicting customer needs before they arise. In this session, we’ll explore how AI can transform the way manufacturers understand and engage with customers—without requiring a complete digital overhaul. We’ll discuss real-world applications of AI in sales and customer relationships, including proactive recommendations, automated data capture, and predictive insights. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how AI can help you move beyond guesswork, make data-driven decisions, and build stronger, more profitable customer relationships. Significance/Importance : Manufacturers have long relied on relationships and gut instinct to drive sales, but today’s competitive landscape demands more. Traditional CRMs were meant to help but became data-entry burdens, leading to poor adoption and missed opportunities. AI is changing the game by turning raw data into actionable insights—automating manual processes, predicting customer needs, and uncovering hidden sales opportunities. Companies that embrace AI gain a competitive edge, while those that don’t risk falling behind. This session will show how AI helps manufacturers move beyond guesswork, make smarter decisions, and build stronger customer relationships with less effort.

Drawing the Line on Drawings: Implications of Machine-Readable Data for Manufacturing Suppliers

EAST Session: Abstract : Enterprise-scale manufacturers continue to expand the use of precise 3D data and connected annotations, called Model-Based Definition (MBD), in place of traditional engineering drawings. The extent to which downstream suppliers are able to respond effectively to this ongoing, cross-industry change will be a significant determining factor on the structure of the manufacturing supply change in future decades. Guidelines from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) are major agents for change in this process. The DoD recognizes that MBD's capacity to support interoperable reuse of data across multiple production systems can accelerate engineering and manufacturing, improve quality, and reduce costs. When major private sector institutions like Deloitte produce findings showing how larger enterprises can gain efficiencies through these practices, expectations grow for the downstream suppliers to align themselves to these changes. For example: Lockheed has already made public that it expects its suppliers to be able to provide inspection data generated in downstream processes to be returned to them, a level of data exchange — the Digital Thread — only possible through integrated MBD processes. Understanding the factors that are currently limiting the expansion of MBD practices, and how technologies are being deployed to overcome those limits, gives perspective to today's manufacturing supplier on how they can prepare for the most imminent developments likely to arise. Significance/Importance : Industry advancement towards model-based definition (MBD) grows with each passing day in many key industries; leading the way are aerospace and defense. Major OEM manufacturers are deeply invested in this process evolution, and there are few if any market pressures influencing factors towards any other direction. Only inertia and cost of entry are acting to constrain this fundamental change.

How to Define, Estimate, and Prove Out the Value of Smart Manufacturing Technologies

EAST Session: Abstract : Manufacturers are keen and pragmatic on how their capital is used to advance their state of manufacturing.  And it is clear to them how investments in physical assets bring operational value.  What is not so clear is the value-add of technology to their operations.  In this session, you will learn how to translate the value of technology to operations to facilitate internal planning and justification for technology investments. You will learn how to build a business case around technology to show the expected value and ROI of that investment. Using this approach, the project team can report the financial gains to key constituents to help with continued funding and support.  Significance/Importance : Manufacturers are keen and pragmatic on how their capital is used to advance their state of manufacturing.  And it is clear to them how investments in physical assets bring operational value.  What is not so clear is the value-add of technology to their operations.  In this session, you will learn how to translate the value of technology to operations to facilitate internal planning and justification for technology investments. 

How to Unlock Growth in Manufacturing Sales by Creating Better Ecommerce Experiences

EAST Session: Manufacturing sales have hit a wall. Deals are taking longer to close and costing more to win. Since 2022, sales cycles have increased by 22%, while win rates have slipped by 17%. In this engaging fireside chat, industry experts will discuss why investing in ecommerce is essential—but notoriously difficult—for manufacturing companies with complex sales environments. From managing global sales teams and navigating intricate buyer journeys to configuring millions of product options, the challenges are vast. Join us to learn: - How to create product discovery experiences that reduce complexity for buyers. - Best practices for optimizing product data to ensure your entire catalog is discoverable and configurable online. - How to leverage insights from digital interactions to drive better business decisions. Don’t miss this candid conversation on how manufacturers are transforming their digital sales approach to boost efficiency, drive revenue, and enhance the buying experience. Significance/Importance: This topic is critical because manufacturing sales are increasingly complex, with deals taking longer to close and win rates declining—sales cycles have increased by 22% and win rates have dropped by 17% since 2022. As manufacturers face mounting pressure to streamline operations and drive revenue, adopting ecommerce solutions is essential. However, the complexity of managing global sales teams, serving thousands of buyers, and configuring millions of product options poses significant challenges. Understanding how to reduce this complexity through effective product discovery, optimized data, and actionable insights is vital for manufacturers striving to remain competitive and enhance their digital transformation journey.