After a strong first quarter, the United States manufacturing sector has softened significantly, according to the US-based Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Three of the leading global automation and machine safety companies, Rockwell Automation, Omron, and Sick AG, are collaborating on the development of an open protocol for safety communications.

The EMA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) market for automation products and services for discrete Industries is expected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.6 per cent over the next five years.

J.D. Edwards recently announced it will standardise its collaborative business applications, known as J.D. Edwards 5, on infrastructure technology or "middleware".

The EMA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) market for automation products and services for discrete Industries is expected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.6 per cent over the next five years.

ERP vendor SSA is targeting the small to medium enterprise industrial markets, in a move it says is designed to allow SME's to "computerise and stay in business".

Bowater has successfully started up ABB Industrial IT Quality Control solutions for off-machine coater No. 1 at its Covington, TN mill.

A simple box device containing a series of cotton filters could play a large role in improving global air quality as well as being a huge success for the small engineering business behind it.

Leading Australian water industry company Optimatics is responding to US water authorities call for help to "terrorist proof" their facilities.

ABB has been chosen to supply Sappi's Ngodwana Kraft Mill with Industrial IT Open Control. The contract is valued at US$ 2 million (ZAR 20 million) and is the first of a 4-phase project valued at US$ 11 million (ZAR 110 million).

GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc., an affiliate of the General Electric Company, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Intellution, Inc., formerly a division of Emerson Process Management, an Emerson business.

CIMNET Inc. today announced its partner authorization from Microsoft Corporation's Microsoft Business Solutions for the purpose of integrating its Factelligence solution with Microsoft Business Solutions-Axapta for the upper mid-market.

SSA Global Technologies Inc., a worldwide enterprise solutions and services provider, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the common stock of Infinium Software.

Research at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has revealed that certain chemical ingredients of gasoline, jet fuel and other solvents may pose a greater health hazard than first thought.

Q.C. Systems Pty Ltd that they have been appointed distributors for Australia and New Zealand by Solartron Metrology, the world's largest supplier of Analogue and Digital gauging probes.