LLumin's Insight
Hours spent by businesses on compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) rose 10% from 2018 to 2019, according to nearly 60% of respondents in an annual survey conducted by consultancy Protiviti. Why? The company cites that 47% of respondents have neglected to apply technology to this compliance process. Tech-powered operations software from LLumin, Inc. allows firms with manual and fragmented efforts to employ automation that streamlines the SOX compliance process.

Article Excerpt:
  Many audit teams are neglecting to implement new technologies that could reduce the time needed for SOX audit requirements.

LLumin's Insight
Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) managers can expect an increased emphasis by regulators on the manufacturing, handling and disposal of hazardous materials this year. The fast-rising awareness of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will drive the overall expansion of compliance efforts for these so-called forever chemicals. Keeping pace with expanded compliance requirements expected to emerge requires a comprehensive, digital system that can produce relevant data and digital documents in a timely manner. LLumin’s READYTrack operations software suite covers all aspects of hazardous material handling tracking, from their arrival to their location and disposal using automated workflows.

Article Excerpt:
Environmental initiatives will play a big part this year.  

LLumin's Insight

The departure of manufacturing operations staff for any reason underscores the need for an AI-based system that captures and maintains the knowledge of maintenance management to eliminate any potential disruption or downtime going forward. News that Apple is losing a pair of key operations and supply chain executives should serve as a reminder to companies that their operations management software must support these tasks. The departure of skilled managers for positions elsewhere, retirements, etc. need not disrupt asset maintenance. LLumin’ s READYAsset suite provides the capabilities and functionality needed to meet the departure challenge.

Article Excerpt:
Apple Inc. has lost a pair of veteran executives who worked in the manufacturing, supply chain and operations group and were key participants in the production of many of the company’s major devices.

LLumin's Insight

There has been much discussion of the state of manufacturing in America, with many pundits seeing gloomy times in industries such as automotive. Other forms of manufacturing are starting to show signs of a comeback. In January 2020, some industries have rebounded, and eight out of the 18 industries reported growth, according to research cited in a Seeking Alpha report. Listed in order, these are Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Chemical Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. Learn which manufacturing industries have contracted.

Article Excerpt:
After six straight months of contracting, U.S. manufacturing has bounced back based on the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index [PMI]. The current PMI is over 50 at a value of 50.9 in January 2020. A value over 50 indicates expansion. Notably, the PMI value was over 60 until fall of 2018 when it dropped precipitously. Although the current reading is a positive sign that the manufacturing in the U.S. is recovering, it is only one month’s reading. The manufacturing turnaround in January was driven by gains in new orders, production, and deliveries. However, employment in the manufacturing sector is still...

LLumin's Insight

The group’s goal is to increase compatibility for consumers and simplify development for manufacturers of IoT products. It could also increase demand for home devices from consumers and makers. The initiative, titled "Project Connected Home Over IP," will take shape as a working group with other industry stakeholders, and also involves the ZigBee Group, an organization that pushes for more open and universal standards as it relates to the Internet of Things. The resulting standard will focus on addressing connectivity and could streamline the production of these increasingly used home devices.

Article Excerpt:
The biggest tech companies in the world will stand side-by-side on an initiative to make smart devices easier to connect.

LLumin's Insight

The FDA recently launched a host of new regulations to address foodborne illnesses, but handling these outbreaks is anything but quick and requires meeting multiple challenges. The situation is worsened by the agency’s use of what has been called an “antiquated” system. Every year, 9 million people in the U.S. get sick and 1,300 die from foodborne illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leafy greens are under intensified scrutiny as they harbor one of the causes - E.coli bacteria.

Article Excerpt:
E. coli in produce causes 48% of food-borne illnesses linked to the bacteria. FDA wants to digitize records to trace sources of outbreaks but has no timeline.