Solutions Groups at MHI
Bringing Solution Providers and Users together
to collaborate
within the Material Handling and Supply Chain Industry
Agenda
Introducing Solutions Groups
Collaborating for Mutual Benefit
Membership
Timeline of Events
How to Join, Who to Contact
Agenda
Introducing Solutions Groups
Collaborating for Mutual Benefit
Membership
Timeline of Events
How to Join, Who to Contact
Challenges are Opportunities in Disguise
MHI
Solutions
Groups
People
Technology
Process
What are MHI Solutions Groups all about?
• Establish a direct two-way connection between the end
user community and MHI members
• Offer broad topic discussion in a non-commercial
environment for MHI members, their customers and
others, including media, educators, and consultants
• Provide a “safe harbor” venue for sharing information,
awareness, education, best practices and lessons learned
without ‘buy-sell’ tension
• Take positive action on the U.S. Roadmap for Material
Handling & Logistics and the MHI Annual Industry
Report
Ongoing Cycle: Information & Response
End User Community
Problems, Issues, Challenges
Information
Solutions Research
Solutions Concepts
Categorization
Product Groups
MHI Member
Companies
Existing Solution
Groups
New Solution Group
Response
Agenda
Introducing Solutions Groups
Collaborating for Mutual Benefit
Membership
Timeline of Events
How to Join, Who to Contact
Solutions Groups address these needs
Companies struggle with the same set of basic challenges year over year
Integration of internal and external data is growing in importance
Emerging technology is creating noise around solutions
Solutions that drive better decisions are dependent on better data, insights
and accelerated access
Move beyond stand-alone improvements to network-style solutions
U.S. Roadmap for Material Handling & Logistics, 2014.
Membership Value - Collaboration
Voice in Discovery, Design &
Differentiation
Actionable Information & Relationships
Knowledge Sharing & Connection to
Academia
Relevant Responses & Promoting
Successes
Typical Activities May Include…
Business Planning
Tools
Gap Analysis,
Research & Design
Solutions
Frameworks
Conferences, Panels
& Seminars
Economics &
Surveys
Education &
Publications
Agenda
Introducing Solutions Groups
Collaborating for Mutual Benefit
Membership
Timeline of Events
How to Join, Who to Contact
Everyone can join…
Media
Educators
Members
End Users
Solutions Groups ‘raise all boats’
• Providing a "safe harbor" for all to openly discuss topics
of mutual interest including:
– sharing best practices, lessons learned, education
and other information.
• A basic tenet of Solutions Groups is to create an
environment that fosters networking, relationship building
and the open exchange of information, which shall be
done in a non-commercial environment.
• All Members are responsible for promoting this
environment.
What Does This Mean for ISC / ASG?
Group Disbands in May
Grandfathered into ASG
During & After Spring Meeting
Members must Reapply
Membership
Membership
Currently
Finances
Finances
Programs
Programs
Dues paid by Executive Members
2016 Dues Yet to Be Determined
Key Impacting Issues Surveys
Business Trends Survey
Trade Show Seminars
Draws in End Users for Annual Conf.
2015 Dues carry over
Budget moves to ASG
Automation Alliance Funds
Opens up to All
2-way Education & Communication
Annual Conference Panel
Agenda
Introducing Solutions Groups
Collaborating for Mutual Benefit
Membership
Timeline of Events
How to Join, Who to Contact
What happens now?
2015
Jan
Leadership Meeting
Strategic Planning / BOG
2/23/2015
7/29/2015
Roundtable / BOG
Promat
Spring Meetings
Annual Conference
1/16/2015
3/23/2015
5/17/2015
10/4/2015
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2015
Today
Solutions Groups formed
Phase 1 Programming
Board of Governors Update
Phase 2 Programming
Annual Conference Seminars
Phase 3 Programming
5/17/2015 - 5/19/2015
5/20/2015 - 7/24/2015
7/24/2015 - 7/29/2015
7/30/2015 - 10/4/2015
10/4/2015 - 10/7/2015
10/8/2015 12/31/2015
Call to Action – What We Can Do Together
• Send us your questions & comments via email or phone
• Join a solutions group – don’t miss this!
• Propose other solutions group opportunities you see
• Tell others!!
– Other MHI members
– End Users & encourage them to join and attend the
Annual Conference (4-7 Oct 2015)
– Educators & Media and encourage them to join /
participate
Agenda
Introducing Solutions Groups
Collaborating for Mutual Benefit
Membership
Timeline of Events
How to Join, Who to Contact
How to Join, Who to Contact
2015 Spring Meetings
May 18th @ Charlotte, NC
Managing Executives
• ASG - Automation Solutions
Group
– Matt Smurr
– msmurr@mhi.org
– 704-714-8721
• ISSG – Information Systems
Solutions Group
– David Schwebel
– dschwebel@mhi.org
– 704-714-8750
Q&A