NIST MEP E-Blast: October 30, 2015

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sent this bulletin at 10/30/2015 04:47 PM EDT

The very latest news and opportunities from the NIST MEP - Making an impact on U.S. Manufacturing

October 30, 2015 - View this as a web page - View eblast from October 30, 2015

In This Issue:

Upcoming Changes to MEP Connect and MEIS
Supplier Scouting Opportunity
Infy Maker Awards
What's Happening Across the National Network
MEP Events

Upcoming Changes to MEP Connect and MEIS

Your input is needed for enhanced collaboration.

Over the coming months, we are going to be rolling out some updates and improvements to MEIS and MEP Connect, two of which will impact the way you use both platforms:

Communities of Practice: Starting January 2016, all Communities of Practice will be moved from MEIS and migrated over to MEP Connect. Any user that will be affected by this migration will be contacted before implementation.
MEIS Knowledge Base: The MEIS Knowledge Base (created nearly 10 years ago) is a repository of accumulated questions and answers asked from around the system about a specific topic. We are currently in the process of determining whether or not the Knowledge Base is a value to the system and need your input. Please take a moment to answer five questions about your current use and/or need for a Knowledge Base. Click here to start the questionnaire.

Background:

MEP Connect was launched in October 2014 as a web-based collaboration tool to optimize communication and collaboration across the network. MEIS is MEP’s information system that helps centers with online data collection and processing. This web-based database allows centers to view and print a variety of reports, as well as research companies and industries.

MEP Connect and MEIS are different websites, however they are both accessed by using your MEIS username and password. If you have any questions please contact Nicole Ausherman or Cindy Orellana.

Supplier Scouting Opportunity

DOT FTA Seeking Ductless Split System Air Conditioner Units

On October 26, NIST MEP posted a Supplier Scouting opportunity for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). FTA is seeking domestic manufacturers of Ductless Split System Air Conditioner Units. The opportunity can be viewed on MEP Connect by clicking here. MEP Centers should submit information about potential matching manufacturers to NIST MEP via MEP Connect by November 9. If you would like access to the MEP Connect Supplier Scouting group, or for more information, please contact Samm Bowman 301-975-5978 or Dave Stieren 301-915-3197.

Infy Maker Awards

Infosys Foundation USA, a non-profit focused on bridging the digital divide in America has launched the Infy Makers program, and will grant up to $1 million to support Makers with innovative projects and support the creation of makerspaces in schools, libraries and other community organizations. Up to 25 adults will earn a grant of $10,000 each to continue to develop their innovations. Up to 50 middle school and high school students will earn a grant of $1,000 each. Infosys is also partnering with Maker Ed to provide professional development and resources to 100 educators from grantee organizations.

The deadline to apply is November 10th. For more information click here.

What's Happening Across the National Network

Penn College Adds Coursework in Innovation Leadership

Innovative Manufacturers Centers worked with the Pennsylvania College of Technology, an affiliate of Penn State University, in developing and implementing their Innovation Leadership program that rolled out this semester.

READ MORE >>

Robots on the Job, Enterprise Minnesota's E-Magazine

Automation in manufacturing is here to stay, and two Minnesota firms are using robotics with great success.Walk onto the production floor at Donnelly Custom Manufacturing and you’re likely to see plenty of friendly faces. The Alexandria-based manufacturer has about 220 employees and recently welcomed two new faces to the team in the form of Baxter robots.

READ MORE >>

MassMEP partners with photonics group

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership has entered a partnership with the new American Institute for Integrated Photonics of Rochester, N.Y., to develop an end-to-end photonics ecosystem in the U.S.

READ MORE >>

Manufacturing Advantage Conference

The Manufacturing Advantage Conference, running for its eighth straight year, is the result of the cooperation of Stout’s Manufacturing Outreach Center and the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

READ MORE >>

University of Idaho Lands $1.2 Million Grant to Lead New Food Safety Center to Help Farmers, Processors

he University of Idaho will lead efforts across Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Alaska through a new $1.2 million food safety center to help small and midsized farms and food processors to improve food safety. The US Department of Agriculture launched a national initiative to help farmers, and food and animal feed comply with requirements established under the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This virtual center is one of four new regional hubs across the country.

READ MORE >>

MEP Events

Marketing and Communications Working Group Kickoff Webinar

November 4, 2015 at 2:00 PM EST

MEP is relaunching the Marketing and Communications working group and will host a kickoff webinar on November 4. To view the agenda, click here. The goal of the group is to exchange information and leverage resources across centers and with NIST MEP in order to strengthen marketing and communication related activities throughout the national network.

Attendees must register for this webinar.

(Registration Link). For more information or questions contact Kari Reidy.

November 4, 2015 at 2:00 PM (EST): Lean Enterprise Institute Webinar: The Way to Lean

(Webinar Link)

November 10, 2015: PA Supply Chain Forum (Registration Link)

Join the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) for an opportunity to develop a responsive, Pennsylvania-based supply chain.

UPDATE: November 13, 2015 at 2:00 PM EST: ROI Calculator for MEP Conversations (Registration Link)

Learn how newly launched ROI tool can help conversations with manufacturers about workforce activities, and Economic Impact discussions.

November 17-18, 2015: Technology Acceleration Working Group (Atlanta, GA)

We will discuss the TAWG background, including outcomes of the Dallas TAWG meeting. In addition the three committees — including System Learning, Metrics, and Scale-Up — will focus on efforts to execute the recommendations from the TA Implementation Plan. There will be a tour of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute and the Invention Studio at the conclusion of this working session. To RSVP, or for additional information, please contact Ben Vickery or Clara Asmail.

Nov. 2015 - Jan. 2016: Supply Chain Optimization Train the Trainer

The MEP SCO initiative is delivering hands-on learning sessions for MEP center staff at locations across the U.S.