Amy Schultz's Blog

RE: Just a quick comment about Proprietary information

no1toolmkr — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:40:26 GMT

Let me say, That sounds great. I'm for it. I'm a tool room and I believe that A tool maker is the most certainly the worlds oldest profession. With out tools there would be no civilization, money etc.
What I'm saying is my customers privacy needs should be met head on.

And one more thing about the copying of cad files. If your not going to allow a PERSON to srike lines, arcs, and other features and then copy and save them. There will need to be apropriate software that can program machinery directly from the CAD file that is not copyable.
When you get to that point thats where your going to need me because thats where I'm at in the game.
I think MFG had a program was called pinion. I down loaded it and used it. and it seemed to work anyways. could have picked a better customer to work with at the time but the software seemed to work.

RE: Just a quick comment about Proprietary information

aschultz — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:28:43 GMT

At MFG.com, we understand a Buyer's right to source via a platform that offers secure settings for their proprietary documents. Taking this into account, we have taken a few steps to assist with their sourcing process in order to make it easier via online.

• Buyers can attach documents that require Supplier signatures on every RFQ. This can be a Non-disclosure agreement or any other document that requires a signature before viewing a print via MFG.com.

• Buyers can view all Supplier signatures and Profiles before allowing access to prints using a certain security level. Our system matches RFQs by process so that Suppliers with the right discipline and capabilities will be forwarded RFQs and given a brief description. They will NOT be able to view prints without buyer approval with this security setting activated.

• Buyers can control distribution of the RFQs. Buyers can choose the MFG.com auto matched distribution by process on each RFQ or create special groups.

...and there is more to come. MFG.com is looking to the future to implement software that will prevent suppliers from printing or copying information from CAD files. Also, this new technology looks to "electronically shred" documents after an RFQ expires. Stay tuned!

RE: Just a quick comment about Proprietary information

no1toolmkr — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:24:28 GMT

I've been starting too, and have had a couple RFQ's I've posted on MFG but Mostly I'm a vendor. But I wanted a tool room for a purpose and it wasn't all for glory. I have an idea and I want to manufacture it, Someday I will. however I want to know what exacly MFG can or is providing me because I can't do everything as no one can. Can MFG provide a definitave end of a drawing file for RFQ or can it not?

RE: Just a quick comment about Proprietary information

aj — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:30:55 GMT

Here are some sites dealing with intellectual property:

World Intellectual Property Organization
The Intellectual Property Law Server
The Intellectual Property Mall

RE: Time IS money, but are you using it to your advantage?

smaron — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:11:05 GMT

Great discussion folks. I too hear a great deal of feedback from purchasing agents, supply chain managment professionals, and design engineers about the obstacles of time constraint. Consider the following: A little communication goes along way!

MFG.com is a perfect example of a communication facilitator. The platform provides for, and even fosters, communication between buyer and producer. I would urge both buyers and suppliers to utilize MFG.com and MFGx.com as they are both powerful information sharing tools. Ideas, question, and concerns are all managed in a taut user friendly application!

Again, great topic thread!

RE: Time IS money, but are you using it to your advantage?

aj — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:56:02 GMT

Amen, Amy. The single most common complaint I hear from every node in the manufacturing supply chain is: poor communications.

RE: Can being "likeable" matter in manufacturing?

aschultz — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:40:53 GMT

Well said!

RE: Can being "likeable" matter in manufacturing?

no1toolmkr — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:03:01 GMT

It has been said and still seems to remain to be true that comunication skills is the #1 factor for success. I'm fairly certain though, that just likability would not be enough to drive success.
I've now been in business for myself for almost 5 years. In perspective I feel I'm finally starting to come around the learning curve and by no meens an expert here. In the beginning I made some aweful mistakes in handling customers. Learning from those experiences I have made deliberate attempts to temper the ever present problems and issues associated with jobs and projects with likability. And it works too. Even with the despair of late delivery, bad part, poor prints and the list goes on and on.
If the issue is met head on with a deliberate attempt to "be likable". The buyer and vendor walk away with a sense of accomplishment. They feel stronger from the situation. The buyers feels they have found a vendor that will work with them and the vendors feels they have found a buyer thats not trying to take advantage of them.
Every situation is different but there is no question that there needs to be a certain amount of likability for both the buyers and vendors and I believe that if its not there, the business transaction or even the relationship will fail.
ETR

RE: Small quantity request could mean big business opportunities

no1toolmkr — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:23:27 GMT

OMG, I could't agree with you more. "I've said over and over Quote the buyer not the part"
Look for a new customer that fits your needs as well as theirs. and then follow through.