Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Hours on the Rise, Despite Technology
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.
Read MoreOutlook 2020: What EHS Managers in Manufacturing Need to Know
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.
Read MoreApple Loses Pair of Key Operations, Supply Chain Executives
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.
Read MoreU.S. Manufacturing Is Bouncing Back
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.
Read MoreAmazon, Google, Apple Set Aside Differences to Establish IoT Standard
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.
Read MoreFDA System Called “Antiquated”
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.
Read MoreREADYAsset Increases Plant Run Time Above 99% and Pays For Itself In Under 3-Years
LLumin is excited to be featured in Rockwell Automation’s The Journal Magazine where Red Cedar Gathering, reports in a 5-page spread, that LLumin’s READYAsset is used for predictive and preventive maintenance and to track materials. The software has increased its energy plant’s run time above 99% and paid for itself in less than 3 years.
Read MoreOvercoming the Knowledge Gap
Every plant has that one person (or two or three people) who can look at data or metrics about a piece of equipment and spot problems before they happened. Unfortunately, many skilled workers are now leaving the workforce, taking with them essential expertise. The solution is to look at an expert system that can help capture institutional knowledge and suggest actions when certain conditions are detected.
Read MoreSelecting a CMMS: Stepping Up Your Public Asset Management Game
Municipal water utilities are made up of assets, including pipes, valves, tanks, pumps, wells, hydrants, treatment facilities and other components. To effectively manage such public assets, you need to know what they are and where they are located. Decision making to manage such assets requires data collection, data management and analysis. The Water Finance Research Foundation says that municipal utilities that move from paper-based systems to computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) can realize an estimated 12 to 18 percent cost savings.
Read MoreHow Automated Workflows Improve Incident Reporting Compliance
For years, manufacturers have submitted OSHA 300A forms covering work-related injuries and illnesses. Last year, OSHA required businesses to submit them digitally. Manufacturers that tracked such processes on paper needed to make a change. A smart way to transition is to make reporting part of a broader safety compliance effort based on a materials tracking and inventory management solution such as LLumin’s READYTrak, which can help ensure the enforcement and automatic documentation of compliance processes.
Read More