maybe they should leave the $$ figures out
I think it is great that GE is bring jobs back to the US. I agree with Jason Hiner, investing $1B in their facilities is going to have a positive affect on lots of different businesses in the local area and even surrounding states.
However, I think it would be better to highlight the IT overhaul after 20 years, the process changes that make their IT dept more efficient and more of a business driver and finally a nice new datacenter. Rather than what it is costing them.
As @maszsam has pointed out, on the surface spending $150 million on new software to save up to $60 (over five years) doesn't on the surface make sense. Add in a $1B datacenter and then it seems like they are just creating a showpiece to say..."Look what I did". It doesn't seem practical or efficient.
As the title implies....I hope the "bet" includes a lot of efficiency for their business that will translate into billions for the economy, that have not been discussed in either article.
