When calculating the projected return on investment (ROI) from a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) project, AMR Research believes most companies are so focused on the near term they are missing the larger picture. More importantly, what AMR has documented for MES projects seems likely to apply to the broader universe of IT decisions as well.

WASHINGTON (October 28, 2002) - Aspen Technology, has honored Owens Corning with its first Aspen Technology Customer Innovation Award. The award recognizes Owens Corning's application of AspenTech's manufacturing solutions to increase the profitability of its roofing and insulation plants.

CHICAGO (March 14, 2003) – According to digital security provider, Aladdin Knowledge Systems, eToken has been successfully interface-certified by SAP, providing customers with an innovative USB authentication solution.

WAYNE, Pennsylvania (December 3, 2002) -- Bayer Corporation has signed an agreement to access Planalytics GasBuyer, a Web-based risk management tool for purchasing and hedging natural gas.

COVINGTON, Kentucky (December 3, 2002) -- Gary A. Cappeline, 53, has been named vice president, Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), and president, Ashland Specialty Chemical according to James J. O'Brien, Ashland Inc. chairman and chief executive officer. The appointment will be effective December 4.

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (December 3, 2002) -- Poor management practices are to blame for everything from low employee morale to repeated corporate downsizing, says syndicated business columnist Gene C. Mage.

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (December 3, 2002) -- Solutia Inc. (NYSE: SOI) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its resins, additives and adhesives businesses to UCB S.A. for U.S. $500 million cash. In addition, UCB has made an upfront payment of $10 million for a short period of exclusivity. The sale is expected to close in early 2003, subject to completion of normal regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

TOKYO, Japan (October 29, 2002) - Mitsubishi Chemical and 10 Mitsubishi Chemical Group companies are to launch a plastics solution site on the Internet from November 1, 2002. Following its launch, the Web site can be found at www.plastics-net.com.

STAMFORD, Connecticut (October 30, 2002) - Elemica, an e-hub serving the chemicals industry, and Optimum Logistics, a provider of supply chain execution, event management, and trade documentation to global shippers, have formed an agreement to provide Optimum Logistics solutions via the Elemica Network.

MONTREAL, Canada (June 25, 2003) - Atrion International has launched ChemAware, a free online database of global chemical legislation for nearly 200 countries. ChemAware enables professionals to quickly and easily query for specific legislation in a certain country and, if it exists, to find where that legislation is located on the Internet.

TORONTO, Canada (November 29, 2002) -- Brenntag Canada has launched a new "On-Line Store," allowing its customers to place and confirm orders online.

DANBURY, Connecticut (November 27, 2002) --Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) on Tuesday announced significant changes in its practices for corporate governance and the board of directors, designed to enhance the board's effectiveness in fulfilling its responsibilities and to serve the interests of all Praxair stakeholders.

A wise electrical engineer, in explaining why his company's energy savings program had achieved negative results, once said: "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." According to a new report from Aberdeen Group, that observation is as true for collaborative planning as it is for electricity.

A new Forrester study on Internet procurement trends shows just how prevalent online buying has become while documenting the growing disparity between large and small firms.

HOUSTON, Texas (November 25, 2002) -- Specialty chemical maker H.B. Fuller has committed to use ChemConnect to expand its online strategic sourcing and sales initiatives.

BRIDGEWATER, New Jersey (November 25, 2002) -- Today's short-term focus on cutting IT costs by reducing head count and cutting back on employee development will leave many companies unable to meet the demands of new business as the economy rebounds, according to a new report by people3, a Gartner company.

LONDON (November 22, 2002) -- Nexant, which provides technology solutions and consulting services to energy and petrochemical firms, has received the British International Expertise Award for 2002 for its work in developing ChemSystems Online, a Web-based consultancy platform (www.chemsystemsonline.com).

BRUSSELS, Belgium (November 25, 2002) -- BP Chemicals' Hull, UK plant is using Honeywell's @sset.MAX Equipment Health management (EHM) system to improve the maintenance and availability of equipment.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 19-- Monsanto Company today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 12 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 1, 2002, to shareowners of record on Oct. 10, 2002.

HOUSTON, Texas (September 23, 2002) – ChemConnect, an e-marketplace for the chemicals and plastics industry, has introduced a next-generation electronic marketplace with a series of enhancements designed to deliver greater benefits through faster trades and access to broader audiences for buyers and sellers of products such as natural gas liquids (NGLs), aromatics, oxygenates, olefins and related products.