Have you ever wondered how potato chips are sealed in bags? How do they package food and why does it not spoil? - ABC Office

Most ETO (Engineer-to-Order) firms take at least twelve months to decide on the appropriate ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. This lengthy process is due to the fact that many ERP vendors claim to be ETO savvy and are not in fact. There are exceptions to the rule. Recently, Big Sky Engineering (www.bigskyeng.com) located in Middleton, Wisconsin, just outside of Madison in south-central Wisconsin, made an important technology decision relatively quickly. - TR Cutler, Inc.

Small manufacturers face the same challenges as larger manufacturers without the financial depth to resolve the same issues. The result has been that some of the technologies that allow mid-sized and larger manufacturers to achieve efficiencies have been out of reach for the smaller manufacturer until now. - TR Cutler, Inc.

Encompix (www.encompix.com) is pleased to announce the inclusion of the Encompix ETO Configurator as part of the lead Engineer-to-Order Enterprise Resource Planning product suite. Based on Configure One's Concept product it is specifically designed for engineer-to-order manufacturers. Unlike most product configurators that can handle only simple configuration challenges, the ETO Configurator tackles the very complex product rules normally associated with engineer-to-order, project-based or custom manufacturers. - TR Cutler, Inc.

Research published in a new E-consultancy buyer's guide (http://www.e-consultancy.com/publications/online-customer-service-solutions/) suggests that the UK Online Customer Services Solutions market has finally come of age, with some suppliers anticipating revenue growth of up to 300% this year. - immediate future Limited

Brent L. Damkier, (pronounced Dam-key-r) handsome lyric tenor at the Regensburg Opera, is best known for his recent roles as Prince Tamino in The Magic Flute and Prince Ramiro in Cinderella. Damkier will play the role of Remendado a smuggler; while a small role Damkier makes the very famous quintet “Smugglers Quintet” his own. The performances are on April 12th, and 18th. - TR Cutler, Inc.