The Thomas Blog

Video: Snakebots Could Be The Key To Safer Surgeries

The concept of snakebots is not new. These modular robots, which are comprised of connected-but-independent parts, are able to manipulate their shape according to their surroundings. This is extremely helpful for projects that require a closer view of areas that may be difficult to access or dangerous to enter. But Nabil Simaan, Vanderbilt University bioengineering professor, now wants to use the technology to make surgeries safer.

Manufacturing Industry Jobs Update: October 2016

At THOMASNET.com, we are big champions of American manufacturing and reshoring. In fact, we work with suppliers who produce amazing products made in America every day, and we play an instrumental role in helping small- and medium-sized suppliers grow.

But how can we measure growth for the industry overall? A good barometer is the state of the manufacturing workforce. That’s why we will be regularly diving deep into the latest information from the Bureau Of Labor Statistics to take the pulse of hiring in the industry and to highlight sectors that are growing.

Here is our Manufacturing Industry Jobs Update for October 2016 (scroll down for previous releases):

4 Industrial Marketing Takeaways from INBOUND 2016

While most manufacturers and industrial companies attend industry shows such as IMTS or FABTECH and some CEOs and presidents make their way to various networking events, very few in the industrial space make an effort to attend marketing-focused trade shows and conferences.

Industrial Buying Trends for 2016

So you want that $1,000,000 deal, right?

Your company's website is a conversion machine — you're doing SEO, PPC and email nurturing, and you're following all the inbound marketing best practices. Months go by, and you're seeing some really great prospects come through. You get a fair amount $10,000 or $50,000 contracts, but you're still searching for that dream contract that's going to pay for your kids' college.

Well, hate to be the one to tell you this, but you have about a 0.8% chance of getting that big million-dollar contract from a first-time customer. Think about your own business — do you give out big contracts to people you've never worked with before? Nope. You want someone you've vetted with a few smaller projects before you trust them with more of your business, and your customers are no different.

Manufacturing Vote Will Make The Difference On Election Day

If manufacturers have not already begun talking to employees and colleagues about the importance of casting their ballots on November 8, the time is now.

With so many close races from the top of the ticket to the bottom of the ballot, the 12 million manufacturing workers in the U.S. can play a huge role in electing our future leaders.

Video: Did China Steal Wave Technology?

Pelamis Wave Power, a renewable energy manufacturer based in Scotland, was at the forefront of wave technology. In 2004, it became the first company capable of using the technology to generate electricity into the grid.

Cybersecurity: Can A DDoS Attack Impact The Supply Chain?

Recently, an unprecedented cyberattack crippled many popular websites — including Twitter, Netflix, PayPal and Reddit. While the size and breadth of the attack made lots of headlines, the truth is that similar cyberattacks are waged every single day, and they could pose a risk to your business or your supply chain.

While there is no way to completely mitigate the risk of a cyberattack like the one carried out last week, understanding the nature of the attack and taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity, can prove helpful — especially as businesses (and even factories) become increasingly connected to, and reliant on, the web.  

6 Industrial PPC and SEO Best Practices You Should be Following

There's a lot to keep track of if you're marketing in the industrial space: You need to send out regular email marketing campaigns, follow best practices on social media, keep your website up-to-date, push out paid advertising campaigns and make sure you're getting plenty of organic traffic.

4 Lean Procurement Strategies For Small And Mid-Sized Businesses

Many small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) don't have dedicated procurement teams in place. In fact, thanks to limited resources and tight budgets, sourcing responsibilities often fall on the shoulders of one or two individuals — many of whom juggle responsibilities other than procurement. As a result, monitoring existing contracts and sourcing best-in-class agreements can be a tremendous challenge for these SMBs.  

So how can SMBs optimize their procurement efforts despite the lack of resources? The key is to be Lean.