Despite all the talk about how advanced manufacturing is the future of U.S. industrial competitiveness, take a walk on just about any factory floor and you'll probably find that time stands still.

In this world of instant updates and real-time business communication, the plant floor is a vestige of a bygone era.

On many factory floors, critical information — from downtime events to quality-control issues — still relies on paging systems, one-way communication systems and radios barking against the roar of machines and through the hush of ear protection.

However, it is becoming ever clearer that a communication system consistent with the pace of life today — one capable of alerting the right people at the right time about these critical issues — can be one of the most effective efficiency investments a plant can make.

For more, read "Bringing Manufacturing Up to Speed" in sister publication IndustryWeek.