Meet new Automation Alley members ICONMA and discover how this IT staffing firm gets the most out of its Automation Alley membership.

Automation Alley added 36 new members in August. Click the link below to meet them.

Using social media as a mechanism for more comprehensive evaluation and assessment of employees and applicants is a fairly new phenomenon and is a complex and still-emerging area of law, presenting some tricky ethical issues and legal considerations. With that in mind, employers need to proceed with caution when it comes to social media vetting practices, and should make sure that they take the time to educate themselves about current best practices.

Businesses that adopt Industry 4.0 can stay ahead of the curve while increasing efficiency, streamlining processes and bolstering the bottom line, says Simon Weallans, Brightly’s vice president of sales and marketing.

The days are getting shorter, the vacation was great, schools are back in session. Maybe now is the time to get working on growing your business. Our region remains dominated by the vehicle industry, but when talking with the best small and medium manufacturing companies, most talk about balancing their business between automotive, defense, aerospace and other. Automotive is great for high volume, but cost reduction pressure drives the sector, and a downturn can leave your business at risk. The “other” category is often low volume and risky, in that the customers come with their own set of challenges.

Live events, predominantly trade shows, are second only to email for lead generation. Long established as a marketing staple for industry verticals, trade shows will continue to be vital for B2B manufacturers, distributors, and service providers for many years to come. This week on the blog, Kevin Krason, founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Biznet Digital Agency, explains how marketing automation can help you maximize your trade show experience, to increase your sales, and make the most of every lead.