The Thomas Blog

Information Technology Challenges In The Manufacturing Industry

The current business climate is driving manufacturing companies to build a more digital and data-driven workforce. As the industry adopts more technologies and influences the future of American manufacturing, what challenges are they continuing to face and how can they guide their organizations strategically?

The Evolution Of 3D Printing

From reducing costs to increasing efficiency to spurring innovation, many people are excited about the impact that 3D printing will have on the future of manufacturing. However, the truth is, it already has made a significant impact on the industry.

Take a look back at the evolution of 3D printing to see how the phenomenon started and how it has helped the manufacturing industry evolve.

How To Keep Up With Changing Technology Trends

There's plenty of coverage and chatter on IoT trends, being replaced by robots, and legacy equipment vs. digital manufacturing in our industry. That's a good thing because technology becomes more integrated with every aspect of our lives each day.

How Manufacturers Can Stay Connected With Customers Through The Coronavirus Outbreak

To limit the coronavirus spread, many companies have gone completely virtual and the workforce in some states is required to stay at home, with the caveat of essential businesses and manufacturers exempt from these mandates. 

Although the world has seen unprecedented changes during the past few weeks, manufacturers and industrial companies need to keep their customers at the center of their business strategy now more than ever. The world we live in is incredibly digital. So for your customers that still have jobs to be done, here’s how you can take advantage of technology and stay connected with them.

Thomas Community: Stay safe. Stay connected. Stay strong.

Dear Thomas Community,

At Thomas, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees, as well as continuing to serve our customers and the industry. We are following the guidelines from the CDC, WHO, NY and PA Health departments. We have ensured that all team members can work remotely while providing the same high level of service you’ve come to expect from Thomas. We have implemented a 60 day travel suspension to limit non-essential international and domestic travel. We are leveraging video-conferencing to conduct internal and external meetings. 

Internet of Things (IoT) In The Supply Chain: 3 Challenges

Everywhere you look today, it seems as though the Internet of Things is becoming an increasingly prominent part of our everyday lives. However, there are a few challenges which are preventing the supply chain from taking full advantage of the technology. 

Manufacturing Gift Guide: STEM, Tech & Engineering Toys

The holiday season is in full swing, and so is the rush to buy the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Unfortunately, we can’t help you track down that intentionally hard-to-find retro gaming system or the ridiculously overpriced squishy toys that makes no logical sense whatsoever. However, if your list includes aspiring scientists, teenage technologists, endeavoring engineers, or number-savvy whippersnappers, you’re in luck.

We compiled a list of the best Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) toys for the 2019 holiday season.

Is The Next Digital Marketing Battleground In Your Living Room?

The old marketing rules have changed to meet the needs of consumer behaviors. From establishing an online presence (73% of industrial buyers pay attention to your website!) to optimizing your website to offer a mobile version, it's important to update your marketing strategy based on user activity. Content marketing for manufacturing companies have incorporated mobile search and mobile ads built specifically for interaction on mobile devices.

But what about one of the most influential communications inventions of the 20th century — the television. The first TV advertisement aired in the 1940s, so traditional commercials have been around for a long time and has grown steadily. While mobile optimization and advertising are still important elements to target users, let's take a look at how the traditional TV set has evolved to consumers' behaviors and what it may mean for industrial marketers.

How Augmented Reality Will Disrupt The Manufacturing Industry

Virtual reality and augmented reality are in the same vein when it comes to modern technology. They both deal with digital content relayed through an immersive environment or experience. The difference, however, is how encompassing that experience truly is.