Performance Metrics: Top 3 Global Outsourcing Provider First-to-Market With Science ...

From Market Wire (press release) ... business processes and rates their suitability, and the client organization's readiness for outsourcing against key performance metrics, covering every aspect ...

... eFunds Corporation, (NYSE: EFD), a leading provider of risk management, electronic payments, ATM and global outsourcing solutions, today announced the launch of its unique Process Readiness Index (PRI)™, a proprietary algorithm designed to help clients evaluate which processes to consider for outsourcing and in what order. PRI is a comprehensive analytical solution available today to help guide businesses through the difficult decisions involved in the outsourcing process. PRI demystifies outsourcing decisions by identifying which business processes a company will benefit from outsourcing and at what stage outsourcing should be considered. ...

eFunds Corporation (NYSE: EFD) is an industry leader with nearly 30 years of experience and expertise in electronic payments. eFunds provides electronic transaction software and processing solutions, ATM solutions, risk management and global outsourcing solutions to financial institutions, electronic funds transfer networks, government agencies and retailers around the world. Committed to providing excellent customer service and award-winning products, eFunds enables its clients to reduce transaction and infrastructure costs, detect potential fraud and enhance relationships with their customers. eFunds is one of the largest third-party processors of electronic funds transfers (EFT), is a leading ATM deployer in North America, and is the provider of the world's largest debit database.

Performance Metrics for Supply Chain Excellence: Finding the Timeless Recipe for ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Detailed performance metrics and best practices in: on-time delivery, cycle time reduction, cost control, inventory carrying costs, fill rates, return rates ...

... How can supply chain organizations successfully establish, deliver and communicate business value to their internal and external customers? How do companies successfully reduce their supply base costs while fostering productive relationships? How can you create more streamlined and responsive procurement operations to maintain a competitive advantage? A single fact quantifies the impact of solutions to these questions: among the many benefits reported, companies utilizing procurement best practices have reported first-year hard-dollar cost savings approaching $350 million, 97% increase in e-procurement spending to cut costs and 96% reduction in costs related to purchase-order processing, according to research by Best Practices, LLC. ...

Best Practices, LLC is a research and consulting firm that conducts work based on the principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class companies.

Performance Metrics: QSM Announces SLIM Suite 6.0 Software Lifecycle Management ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... We use the QSM SLIM methodology to get bottom line metrics on cost ... and the QSM approach has proven effective in documenting our performance against expectations ...

... QSM, Inc. today announced the most significant upgrade ever of its software lifecycle management solution, SLIM Suite 6.0, for managing both internal and outsourced application development. The five elements, which can be used individually or in the integrated suite, include SLIM-Control, SLIM-Estimate, SLIM-DataManager, SLIM-Metrics, and SLIM-MasterPlan. All SLIM Suite 6.0 elements are compatible with Microsoft's Access open architecture, and allow seamless interfaces to any ODBC-compliant tool. And, all can export to and import from the latest version of MS Project, including multi-level Work Breakdown Structure files. An improved API also facilitates the importing of statistics and other information from leading independent tool suites, such as those provided by IBM/Rational and Telelogic. ...

Founded by software engineering pioneer Larry Putnam in 1978, QSM's goal is to help clients become world-class software developers and reduce the overall expense of software development projects. QSM's SLIM software tools and consultative approach capture the management numbers that enable organizations to effectively estimate, track, and benchmark their software development and maintenance projects. The company is based in McLean, Virginia, with offices and affiliates in Massachusetts, France, The Netherlands, and the U.K.

Performance Metrics: AT&T Backs Leading Global IP Services With Best-In-Class ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... AT&T today announced industry-leading performance metrics across its global Internet protocol (IP) services portfolio, extending ...

... AT&T today announced industry-leading performance metrics across its global Internet protocol (IP) services portfolio, extending the highest level of availability end to end for the first time from its core network to customer premises equipment. With this announcement, AT&T becomes the first provider to offer a service level agreement (SLA) that addresses end-to-end service availability at 99.999 percent. ...

For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE: T) has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.

Performance Metrics: Outstanding Financial Performance and Customer Acquisition ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... the leading provider of real-time supply chain execution (SCE) software solutions, today announced dramatic growth across key performance metrics for their ...

... ClearOrbit, the leading provider of real-time supply chain execution (SCE) software solutions, today announced dramatic growth across key performance metrics for their fiscal year ending June 30th 2004, ClearOrbit's tenth year in operation. License revenues, maintenance renewals, new customer acquisition, and new product launches all increased for the year. In particular, software license revenues were up over seventy (70) percent over the fiscal year ending June 30th 2003. ClearOrbit has demonstrated sustained growth across all the critical performance metrics by delivering innovative software solutions to extend the supply chain execution functionality of Oracle, SAP and other ERP systems. ...

Since 1994, ClearOrbit has assisted more than 250 clients in automating and controlling their supply chain execution processes. ClearOrbit extends enterprise systems value with proven Supply Chain Execution (SCE) and Collaborative Supply Management (CSM) software solutions that allow customers to fully leverage their investment in enterprise applications while also gaining additional value by incorporating their trading partners into their supply chains. ClearOrbit products work within the existing enterprise system to leverage a "single version of the truth," expanding rather than duplicating functionality to eliminate inefficiencies in the supply chain. By using the customer's data model, ClearOrbit delivers on the promise of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) with fully integrated supply chain execution and collaboration solutions that address "last mile functionality" issues inherent in most ERP systems. ClearOrbit customers include Cisco Systems (Nasdaq: CSCO), JDS Uniphase (Nasdaq: JDSU), and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN).

Performance Metrics: Defining External Call Center Performance Metrics

From CRM Buyer ... continuous improvement. Most call centers have numerous measures of individual, team and overall call center performance. However ...

... The long-term success of any organization, and particularly a service organization such as a call center , depends upon continuous improvement. Most call centers have numerous measures of individual, team and overall call center performance. However, continuous improvement also involves listening to customers to learn how effectively the organization is meeting their needs. ...

Performance Metrics: What Gets Measured Gets Managed: Human Resources Performance ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... According to Best Practices, LLC research, leading human resources managers find that key HR performance measures are critical to reliable decision ...

... According to Best Practices, LLC research, leading human resources managers find that key HR performance measures are critical to reliable decision making and that effective measurement leads to performance improvement. A study from the benchmarking firm, Developing Human Resources Performance Measures, online at http://www3.best-in-class.com/rr427.htm , reveals the measures leading companies use to effectively manage employee development, rewards and recognition, recruitment and selection, and employee satisfaction and morale. ...

Best Practices, LLC conducts work based on the principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class organizations.

BioInformatics Software Solutions: Rosetta Biosoftware Introduces Version 5.0 of the Rosetta Resolver ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... rosettabio.com. Rosetta Biosoftware is a leading provider of enterprise bioinformatics solutions for life science research. Its ...

... Rosetta Biosoftware introduced version 5.0 of the Rosetta Resolver(R) Gene Expression Data Analysis System today at its fourth annual user group meeting, ResolverTalk 2004. The Rosetta Resolver system, distributed exclusively by Agilent Technologies, is an enterprise solution for gene expression analysis used by leading life science organizations. Version 5.0 of the system provides a focus on meeting the specific expression analysis needs of users ...

Rosetta Biosoftware is a leading provider of enterprise bioinformatics solutions for life science research. Its enterprise software solutions, including the Rosetta Resolver and Rosetta Luminator gene-expression data analysis systems, empower life scientists with advanced, scalable, and easy-to-use analysis platforms that accelerate discovery research. Rosetta Biosoftware is a business unit of Rosetta Inpharmatics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK).

BioInformatics Trends: Drug Discovery Technology Is Next Offshore Service Trend, Market ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... and detailed profiles of 27 Indian groups that offer bio-IT services -- from software giants, to biotech contract research centers, to bioinformatics companies...

... An emerging services sector in India is poised to capture a new wave of offshore contracts from the US pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences technology industries, according to a report published today by Genomic Society Consulting. ...

Genomic Society Consulting, LLC, provides qualitative market intelligence to organizations in the life sciences sector. GSC Principal Adrienne Burke has reported on health and science as a journalist for 12 years, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Genome Technology magazine and editorial director of GenomeWeb.

BioInformatics: National Science Foundation awards $5 million for innovative ...

From News from Washington University in St. Louis (press release), Washington ... in 2002, FIBR stresses the integrative approach to studying biology, linking the disciplines of systems and computer science - bioinformatics -- with genetics ...

Supply Chain Management: Coty International Selects Manugistics to Optimize Freight ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... MANU), a leading global provider of demand and supply chain management solutions ... The deployment provides a global freight optimization program that includes ...

... Manugistics Group (NASDAQ:MANU), a leading global provider of demand and supply chain management solutions, today announced that it has been awarded a software licensing contract with Coty Inc., one of the world's largest marketers, manufacturers and distributors of fragrances, cosmetics, personal care and beauty care products. The contract, awarded in May, is an expansion of Manugistics' longstanding relationship with Coty. Manugistics is currently deploying an end-to-end transportation management system to optimize inbound, outbound and inter-facility freight logistics among Coty's North American and European facilities. The deployment provides a global freight optimization program that includes track and trace, load order consolidation, automated freight pay and invoice reconciliation, dynamic pooling and exchange integration. ...

Manugistics is a leading global provider of demand and supply chain management solutions. Today, more than 1,200 clients trust Manugistics to help them drive profitable growth, unlock the value of their existing IT investments, and ensure the security and integrity of their global supply chains. Its clients include industry leaders such as AT&T, BMW, Boeing, Brown & Williamson, Cingular, Circuit City, Coca-Cola Bottling, Continental Airlines, Diageo, DuPont, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, McCormick, Nestle, Nissan, RadioShack, Sanmina-SCI and Unilever.

Coty Inc., which celebrates its centennial this year, is a modern company that has risen to become one of the world's largest and most successful beauty companies with sales of $1.7 billion in 2003. With operations in more than 25 countries, Coty Inc. boasts a global brand portfolio of unrivaled breadth and scope, spanning the three core categories of fragrance, color cosmetics and skincare in the prestige, mass and "masstige" distribution sectors.

Supply Chain Optimization: RedPrairie, RF Code and Avery Dennison Partner on Active RFID ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... RedPrairie is a global leader in supply chain technology solutions that enable the transformation and optimization of supply chain networks, driving out costs ...

... RedPrairie Corporation, a global leader in supply chain technology solutions that drive business process transformation, announced today at the Frontline Solutions conference in Chicago the integration of their LENS(R) global visibility solution with active RFID technology from RF Code and Avery Dennison. The agreement will allow RedPrairie to provide a total solution for global asset and inventory visibility and security, integrating its industry leading software and optimization tools with active RFID reader technology from RF Code and the active RFID Secure Strap(TM) from Avery Dennison for container security. ...

Drive your enterprise transformation through the implementation of supply chain optimization software. There are mature solutions in supply chain optimization technologies, such as Red Prairie's offerings.

RedPrairie is a global leader in supply chain technology solutions that enable the transformation and optimization of supply chain networks, driving out costs, improving customer service and creating competitive advantage. RedPrairie's supply chain execution solutions provide the industry's leading transportation, productivity, and distribution management capabilities, fully integrated with process management components for real-time visibility and event management, trading partner integration, quality control and performance measurement. Coupled with RedPrairie's tactical planning and inventory optimization solutions, RedPrairie provides a true single source platform for supply chain management. RedPrairie provides industry-tailored solutions for many markets, including consumer goods, direct to consumer and traditional retail, food and beverage, high tech / electronics, third party logistics, industrial / wholesale, automotive and service parts, and pharmaceuticals. Customers include Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Thames Water, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Panasonic, Georgia-Pacific, Eveready, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Unilever, Exel, GE, TNT Logistics, and many others. With offices across the globe, RedPrairie is a true world-wide solution provider.

Supply Chain Management: AXCESS Exhibits Active RFID Supply Chain Solutions at Frontline ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... (OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI - News), a leading provider of RFID systems for physical security and supply chain management, today announced it is exhibiting its ...

... AXCESS International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI - News), a leading provider of RFID systems for physical security and supply chain management, today announced it is exhibiting its RFID solutions at the Frontline Solutions Conference and Exposition in Chicago through Wednesday. The conference is focused on the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions for the supply chain market. In a study commissioned by AXCESS with Venture Development Corporation, the demand for active, or battery-powered RFID in supply chain applications is expected to exceed $300 million by 2007, a growth rate approaching 50% per annum. ...

AXCESS Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI), headquartered in greater Dallas, Texas, provides RFID (radio frequency identification) systems for physical security and supply chain efficiencies. The battery-powered (active) tags locate, identify, track, monitor, count, and protect people, assets, inventory, and vehicles. AXCESS' Active RFID solutions are supported by its integrated network-based, streaming digital video (or IPTV) technology. Both patented technologies enable applications including: automatic "hands-free" personnel access control, automatic vehicle access control, automatic electronic asset management, and network-based security surveillance. AXCESS is a partner company of Amphion Capital Partners LLC.

Supply Chain Strategy: FFE Transportation Services, Inc. Announces Strategic Alliance ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Nobis provides a full service portfolio including transaction management, network optimization, claims management, strategic supply chain strategies and ...

... FFE Transportation Services, Inc. ("FFE"), a leader in refrigerated transportation, announced today that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Nobis Logistics, LLC ("Nobis") a premier women-owned and managed third party logistics company. This alliance offers clients the opportunity to procure the highest level of service backed by proven industry expertise and trusted business practices. ...

Since 1946, FFE has provided a high level of service to its ever expanding customer base as a full service refrigerated carrier. This is inclusive of refrigerated and dry truckload, nationwide LTL service, and intermodal operations. FFE provides international services to Mexico and Canada and operates the only 53ft trailer refrigerated through service between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. With its strategically located terminals and regularly scheduled LTL routes, FFE has consistently grown its market share.

Two seasoned women executives formed this Dallas-based third party logistics provider in 2004. Its goal is to establish strategic relationships with top-tier carriers, manufacturers, distributors and supply chain partners to provide an opportunity to successfully transact business with an accredited women-owned and managed third party logistics firm. Nobis possesses the industry expertise and the technologies to provide value-added services to its clients' logistics needs.

SCM Supply Chain Career: FleetPride Promotes Todd Dunn to Senior Vice President

From Yahoo News (press release) ... "Reporting to me, Todd will assume responsibility for the Corporate Supply Chain Management, Marketing and oversight of the Information Technology effort as ...

... FleetPride, Inc., the nation's largest independent aftermarket distributor of heavy-duty truck parts, today announced the appointment of Todd A. Dunn, currently Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administration Officer. Mr. Dunn joined FleetPride in October 2003 and served the prior four years as CFO of Tartan Textile Services, Inc., another Aurora Capital Group affiliate. Prior to joining Tartan, Mr. Dunn was CFO of QDSP, Inc., one of the companies that merged to form FleetPride. Mr. Dunn has more than ten years experience in parts distribution to the heavy-duty aftermarket, serving in various financial and operational roles with the SLM Group, one of the predecessor companies to QDSP. ...

FleetPride, Inc. (http://www.fleetpride.com ) -- America's premier nationwide supplier of truck & trailer parts and service -- operates more than 150 locations in 33 states and carries a full line of nationally recognized brand name parts, as well as an assortment of private brand parts. In addition, FleetPride offers in-house remanufactured products such as brake shoes, transmissions, rear axles and driveline components. Truck and trailer repair services are also offered at a number of locations.

Sustainability and SCM: Paths to Sustainability in Supply Chain Management

From SocialFunds.com ... Diagnostic builds on a unique multi-stakeholder project to provide a source of inspiration for companies considering sustainable supply chain management (SSCM ...

... As globalisation has increased both supply chain complexity and the pressure on companies to do the right thing, the Nordic Partnership launches a new self-assessment tool. The Nordic Partnership SSCM Self Diagnostic builds on a unique multi-stakeholder project to provide a source of inspiration for companies considering sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). ...

The Nordic Partnership is an NGO-business network founded in 2001 by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Danish media centre Monday Morning and key corporate players operating in the Nordic region. The Nordic Partnership builds on the active commitment, trust, shared goals and complementary capabilities of our network members. The overarching goal that drives our actions and activities is to make sustainability a rewarding business. Using a partnership approach, the members of the Nordic Partnership work together to find new ways of making sustainable initiatives more attractive and rewarding to business.

SCM Supply Chain Career: DXP Appoints New Vice President of Supply Chain Management

From Market Wire (press release) ... today announced that Vincent Esposito has been appointed Vice President of Supply Chain Management and will immediately assume the management responsibilities ...

... DXP Enterprises, Inc. today announced that Vincent Esposito has been appointed Vice President of Supply Chain Management and will immediately assume the management responsibilities of DXP's supply chain. Mr. Esposito will report to David Vinson Sr., Senior Vice President of Operations. Mr. Esposito joins DXP with more than 25 years of experience in supply chain management. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Bellarmine College and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Connecticut. ...

DXP Enterprises, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is a leading distributor of capital equipment and maintenance, repair, operating and production (MROP) products and services. These products and services include: "Innovative Pumping Solutions" for capital pump projects; SmartSource(SM) programs for integrated supply chain management; MROP products such as fluid handling equipment, bearings, power transmission equipment, general industrial supplies, safety equipment and electrical products; and MROP services such as engineering expertise, contract maintenance, logistics, system agreements, repair services, vendor managed inventory (VMI), and B2B technology solutions. DXP's "Total Product Concept" enables the customer to reduce their costs by leveraging all or part of their purchases of MROP products and services. For 96 years DXP has serviced general manufacturing, oil and gas, petrochemical, refining, wood products and mining segments of the industrial market.

SCM Supply Chain Career: Gibraltar Names John Wagner Vice President of Supply Chain ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Gibraltar (Nasdaq: ROCK) today announced that it has named John E. Wagner Vice President of Supply Chain Management, effective immediately. ...

... Gibraltar (Nasdaq: ROCK) today announced that it has named John E. Wagner Vice President of Supply Chain Management, effective immediately. Wagner, 43, will coordinate all of Gibraltar's corporate purchasing and transportation activities, with the critically important goals of reducing costs, improving efficiencies, and strengthening the relationships with all of its key suppliers. Throughout his more than 20-year career, Wagner has worked for large multi-national companies recognized as leaders in procurement and supply chain management. ...

Gibraltar is a manufacturer and distributor of more than 5,000 residential and commercial building products, one of North America's leading metal processors, and North America's second largest commercial heat treater. The Company serves approximately 10,000 customers in a variety of industries in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America, and is approaching $1 billion in annual sales. It has approximately 4,000 employees and operates 75 facilities in 26 states, Canada, and Mexico.

Supply Chain Initiative: IHS Acquires Intermat, Inc.

From Yahoo News (press release) ... content with maintenance, repair and operations parts optimization tools and ... industry, enabling organizations to solve their critical supply chain initiatives ...

... MRO Parts Optimization Software Tools and Services to Become a Core Piece of the IHS Parts Management Suite; Combined IHS Capabilities Will Provide Broadest Product, Content and Industry Solutions. Information Handling Services Inc. (IHS -- www.ihs.com), the leading international provider of content integration and decision support tools, technical standards, codes and product specifications, parts management and logistics solutions, today announced that it acquired the assets of Intermat, Inc. (www.intermat.com), the world's leading provider of parts optimization software tools and services. ...

With over $400 million in annual sales, U.S.-based IHS® (www.ihs.com) is the worldwide leader in developing and implementing engineering, technical and regulatory information solutions for customers in over 100 countries. IHS produces comprehensive collections of technical codes and standards, safety publications, design guidelines, vendor and logistics/parts information, and software tools. IHS solutions include Internet, DVD/CD-ROM subscriptions and customized solutions such as information portals and systems integration. Individual standards and publications are available via the company's retail arm, Global Engineering Documents®. The company employs more than 2,300 people worldwide and serves the vital information needs of customers across the world's engineering, technical, business and professional sectors. IHS is the recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting and is a proud sponsor of ColoradoFIRST(TM), a youth-focused Science & Technology program, which promotes teamwork and cultivates the technical aptitude of future engineers.

Intermat, Inc. is the leading provider of parts optimization software tools and services for the industrial maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) marketplace. Intermat's software tools are used daily by over 1,000 industrial plants and facilities in 27 countries. Intermat's parts optimization services have enabled its customers to realize tangible and sustainable cost benefits by eliminating excess inventory and procurement costs, improving plant and equipment throughput, and realizing maximum benefits from their enterprise resource planning (ERP) and enterprise asset management (EAM) systems.

SCM Supply Chain: Supply Chain Management: Build-to-order and Mass Customization ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... build-to-order/mass customization principles, to reduce excess inventory and speed product delivery, as part of their strategic supply chain management. ...

... Increasing emphasis on superior quality and the crucial bottom-line are compelling world-class companies to implement build-to-order/mass customization principles, to reduce excess inventory and speed product delivery, as part of their strategic supply chain management. A study by benchmarking research firm Best Practices, LLC, has profiled some of the cutting-edge benchmark trends at leading companies and supply chain organizations. ...

Best Practices, LLC is a research and consulting firm that works on the principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class organizations.

Supply Chain Best Practices: Mazda Goes Live Delivering 750,000 Shipments Per Year with Kewill ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Kewill's time-in-transit optimization selects best carrier based on costs and required ... Kewill allows us to drive best practices throughout our supply chain. ...

... Kewill Solutions North America (LSE: KWL), the leader in enterprise shipping management software, announced today that Mazda North American Operations has gone live on its enterprise shipping solution. Kewill's enterprise shipping application will manage the fulfillment of auto parts from Mazda's five U.S. distribution centers to its 700 dealerships across the U.S. and 200 in Canada. The Kewill solution will optimize the fulfillment of 724,000 parcels and 35,000 LTL shipments annually from its five distribution facilities. ...

Kewill Solutions North America is the shipping management solutions division of Kewill Systems Plc, a leading international company dedicated to the development and provision of software and services to manage complex business-to-business supply chains. Over 55,000 customers worldwide have trusted Kewill Systems Plc for the management of their supply chain information including Federal Express, Pratt & Whitney, Mazda, Smith & Nephew, Littlewoods, Sainsbury's, Express Gifts, JD Williams, SRG, Iomega, Marks & Spencer, Xerox, and Toys R Us.

Kanban Production Best Practices: Rockwell Automation Roller Bearing Plant

From Industry Week ... Walk around the plant and you'll see how more than a dozen production management tools -- including color-coded kanban cards, statistical inventory management ...

Excellent summary of Rockwell Auomation's kanban and lean production best practices by John S. McClenahen...

... Rockwell Automation's Marion, N.C., mounted roller bearing plant creatively puts people, production processes and IT software to work with industry-leading results. In name it's a lean plant. Indeed, on a day in late July several people were wearing "Power Lean" polo shirts. But actually it's a place where 102 employees put a whole box of tools to work without worrying what a production improvement technique is formally called or accepting the limits of a piece of software. The result: innovation (wireless and RF systems that allow material handlers, maintenance technicians and quality auditors real-time access to data from anywhere in the plant), ...

Rockwell Automation is a leading industrial automation company focused to be the most valued global provider of power, control and information solutions. With a focus on automation solutions that help customers meet productivity objectives, the company brings together leading brands in industrial automation, including Dodge® mechanical power transmission products, Reliance Electric™ motors and drives, Allen-Bradley® controls and engineered services and Rockwell Software® factory management software. Global technical and customer service is an integral part of Rockwell Automation, with nearly 5,600 distributors, system integrators and agents serving customers in 80 countries. Rockwell Automation is financially and strategically focused on helping manufacturers address the growing competitive pressures to reduce costs, conserve resources, improve productivity and reduce the time to market for material goods and services. For example, Global Manufacturing Solutions business will be a focal point of Rockwell Automation's core growth strategy. It will provide total cost of ownership solutions, such as asset and integration management and consulting services that will allow manufacturers to quickly respond to industry trends.

Six Sigma Career: Delphi Announces New President for India

From Business Wire India (press release), India ... Brian has brought to Delphi a wealth of management experience, including strong process orientation having led many Six Sigma Initiatives as a Quality leader ...

... Delphi Corporation has named Brian Lowe as the new Country President of Delphi India. Brian replaces Ravi Khanna at the helm of Delphi India, one of the country's leading manufacturers of advanced automotive parts and accessories. Brian will retain his responsibilities as Managing Director Australia in addition to taking over new responsibilities in India. Ravi has retired to pursue private interests. ...

As a world leader in automotive systems and components, Delphi Corporation provides comprehensive product solutions to OEMs in India and around the world. In India, Delphi supplies leading vehicle manufacturers with high technology components. Delphi's Product & Service Solutions division offers the same high level of technology and expertise to the aftermarket. Delphi India has over 1300 employees in 4 wholly owned manufacturing operations in Bangalore, Noida, Gurgaon and Manesar. In addition it has 1 joint venture located in Chennai. In 2000, India was also chosen as the site for a global technical centre. Delphi Technical Centre India meets the global needs for vehicle software engineering, math based applications and product development particularly in software development, engineering analysis and CAD. This centre, located in Bangalore employs over 350 engineers working to develop embedded software technologies. Technical Centre India is also slated to become a centre of expertise for development of web based tools to automated engineering, modelling and business processes at Delphi electronics and safety division. India is considered as a growth site by Delphi global engineering footprint and is expected to grow in the next few years.

6 Sigma Excellence: GAIL Receives Gold Trophy for Excellence

From Business Wire India (press release), India ... fast changing business environment GAIL has taken a series of initiatives such as Global Benchmarking, ERP, Quality Management to bring 6 sigma qualities to ...

... GAIL (India) Limited has won the Gold Trophy and the SCOPE Award for Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to the Public Sector Management for the year 2002-03 in the Institutional Category. Mr. Proshanto Banerjee, Chairman and Managing Director, received the award on behalf of GAIL from Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh in a function held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi ...

GAIL, primarily a natural gas company, is focused on all aspects of the gas value chain including exploration, production, processing, transmission, distribution and marketing of natural gas with its related services. Today GAIL has additional interests in petrochemicals, gas transmission and telecommunications. The company has also extended its presence in power, LNG re-gasification, city gas distribution and E & P through Equity/JV participations.

SRM Supplier Relationship Management: Procuri Announces Silver Alliance Partner Status with SAS

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... "The SAS Supplier Relationship Management Suite helps our customers reduce enterprise spend across suppliers and commodities through increased visibility into ...

... Procuri Inc., a leading provider of Web-based strategic sourcing software solutions, today announced its status as a Silver Alliance partner with SAS Institute, the world's leader in business intelligence software. The partnership allows both software makers to build on established sourcing and service strengths for customers of all sizes across all vertical markets. ...

Procuri, the fastest-growing strategic sourcing solutions company, empowers more than 125 customers of all sizes, industries, geographies and spend categories, including Procter & Gamble, Eastman Kodak, ITT Industries, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Rio Tinto and U.S. Steel. With a 100 percent customer retention rate, Procuri's Web-based solutions are significantly driving down costs and cutting cycle times for enterprises sourcing for more than 88 countries.

Manufacturing Execution System MES: BASF Selects AspenTech's Integrated Engineering Solution

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... company's recent decision to select AspenTech's information management solution as the foundation of a new Manufacturing Execution System (MES) strategy for ...

... Aspen Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AZPN) today announced that BASF, one of the world's leading chemical companies, has signed a multi-year license agreement to deploy AspenTech's integrated engineering solution, which is based on the Aspen Zyqad collaborative engineering environment. BASF will use the software solution in combination with other Aspen Engineering Suite(TM) solutions to enable more efficient work processes for major plant engineering projects. ...

Aspen Technology, Inc. provides industry-leading software and implementation services that enable process companies to increase efficiency and profitability. AspenTech's engineering product line is used to design and improve plants and processes, maximizing returns throughout an asset's operating life. Its manufacturing/supply chain product line allows companies to increase margins in their plants and supply chains, by managing customer demand, optimizing production, and streamlining the delivery of finished products. These two offerings are combined to create solutions for enterprise operations management (EOM), integrated enterprise-wide systems that provide process manufacturers with the capability to dramatically improve their operating performance. Over 1,500 leading companies already rely on AspenTech's software, including Aventis, Bayer, BASF, BP, ChevronTexaco, Dow Chemical, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Fluor, GlaxoSmithKline, Shell, and Total.

Manufacturing Execution System MES: ProfitKey International's Rapid MES Operations Monitor Employs ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... User Conference held recently in Orlando, FL saw the kickoff of Rapid MES Operations Monitor, ProfitKey's fully integrated Manufacturing Execution System ...

... The 2004 ProfitKey National User Conference held recently in Orlando, FL saw the kickoff of Rapid MES Operations Monitor, ProfitKey's fully integrated Manufacturing Execution System featuring handheld monitoring equipment. ...

ProfitKey International (www.profitkey.com) has been providing ERP software for discrete manufacturers for 25 years. The company develops and supports manufacturing software, information and control systems, for make-to-order and make-to-stock manufacturers. Rapid Response Manufacturing is a highly integrated ERP/MES family of products emphasizing finite scheduling, capacity management, cost management, real time data collection and eCommerce collaborative communication with suppliers/vendors.

Critical Chain CCPM: Project Flow 2004 Attracts Thought and Action Leaders From a Wide ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... can flow freely. It is based on Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt's theory of constraints/critical chain. Using Realization's software that ...

... Representatives from companies throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia attended Realization Technologies' Project Flow 2004 conference held September 9-10 at the Marriott Crystal City in Arlington, Va. Presentations emphasized how organizations can realize substantial improvements in speed, productivity and management effectiveness by overturning conventional project management thinking. ...

Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) is an advanced approach to project management principles...

Realization Technologies defies conventional wisdom, both business- and product-wise. This Silicon Valley company has grown without any VC money or marketing hype; its Project Flow software breaks old management rules instead of blindly automating them. Unlike conventional project portfolio management that produces more reports faster, Project Flow helps companies do more projects faster. For instance, NASA's Systems Analysis Branch has increased its performance (as measured by external auditors) by 25 percent with Project Flow. Project Flow is used by over 100 leading organizations throughout the world. Realization is headquartered at 2 North First Street, San Jose, Calif. 95113.

Six Sigma Tools: SBTI Announces Green Belt Toolkit in Excel

From Yahoo News (press release) ... The majority of Six Sigma tools are about capturing and managing variables by name as well as associated data. This software package ...

... Sigma Breakthrough Technologies, Inc., an international business process solutions consulting firm is proud to announce the release of our newly developed Green Belt Toolkit in Excel. The majority of Six Sigma tools are about capturing and managing variables by name as well as associated data. This software package offers an integrated series of 7 Excel-based workbooks in an Excel menu that follow the DMAIC phases central to Six Sigma. ...

Sigma Breakthrough Technologies, Inc. is an internationally recognized consulting firm for enterprise wide business process solutions, and offers an expansive portfolio of products and services to improve businesses in all disciplines at all levels. SBTI has assisted companies in a variety of industries including chemical manufacturing, assembly, transportation and power generation and distribution. Some of SBTI's customers include 3M, American Standard, Celanese and Invensys. SBTI is headquartered in San Marcos, TX and currently has four international offices serving a host of multinational clients.

Lean Manufacturing: SoftBrands Successfully Implements Lean Enterprise Automation ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... softbrands.com .) About Datamax Corporation Datamax specializes in the design, manufacture, and marketing of products for bar code and RFID labeling including ...

... SoftBrands, a global leader in next-generation lean enterprise software for businesses in the manufacturing and hospitality sectors, today announced the successful implementation of Demand Stream at Datamax Corporation. Datamax Corporation implemented Demand Stream to streamline its entire purchasing department. ...

Datamax specializes in the design, manufacture, and marketing of products for bar code and RFID labeling including thermal demand printers, label, ticket and tag materials, and thermal transfer ribbons. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., Datamax has sales representative offices in Singapore, China and Harlow, England, as well as label converting and preprinting facilities in Robinson, Ill., and Harlow. Datamax markets its products exclusively through a network of resellers in more than 100 countries worldwide.

SoftBrands, Inc. is a global leader in providing manufacturing solutions for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) worldwide currently focused on the hospitality and manufacturing industries. With more than 5,000 customers in over 60 countries now actively using its manufacturing (Fourth Shift(TM), evolution(TM), Demand Stream) and hospitality products SoftBrands has established a worldwide infrastructure for distribution, development and support of enterprise software. The company, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has over 500 employees with branch offices in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

Healthcare Balanced Scorecard: Healthcare Insights a Key Component in St. Anthony's $23 Million ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Report results using a balanced scorecard technique: Monitor and report financial results in a balanced scorecard format on a timely basis. ...

... Healthcare Insights, LLC (HCI), the leading provider of financial management software for the healthcare industry, today announced that INSIGHTS(R), its proprietary financial management application, played a key role in achieving the dramatic financial turnaround experienced by St. Anthony's Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri. With escalating healthcare costs, this organization incorporated INSIGHTS to assist with financial management and decision support activities throughout its entire business. ...

Healthcare Insights LLC provides intelligent decision support and management accountability software for the healthcare industry, as well as educational training and business application consulting services. The company's proprietary technology, INSIGHTS, allows small to large healthcare organizations to easily define, establish and monitor financial and non-financial goals. Corporate headquarters are located in Libertyville, Illinois.

St. Anthony's Medical Center, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is the third largest hospital in the metropolitan area. Its 794-bed medical center delivers quality care through its 4,100 employees. It offers a broad continuum of health care services as well as strategic centers of excellence for childbirth, orthopedics, cancer, cardiology, behavioral health, hospice care and surgery. The Emergency Department logs more than 70,000 visits annually, has 44 treatment rooms and serves 10 ambulance districts. St. Anthony's also operates two separate urgent care facilities in South County.

Lean Manufacturing Training: Help for Small Manufacturers in Making Plants Leaner, Cleaner and More Productive...

From NIST MEP Program ... Smaller manufacturers now will have access to lean manufacturing training previously available only to large companies, thanks to a recently formed partnership between centers in the Manufacturing Extension Partnership's (MEP) nationwide network and Productivity Inc. A program of the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), MEP centers provide business and technical assistance to smaller manufacturers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

... Productivity's "5-S Visual Systems" course teaches plant managers how to apply a lean manufacturing tool called the five "pillars" of workplace organization and standardization: sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain. The course shows how to map a current situation, create an optimal condition and keep it that way through visual controls. The training also teaches workers how to organize their workplace for increased efficiency, safety and cleanliness, and helps to make manufacturing jobs more satisfying and productive. These techniques have become standard practices in large manufacturing plants but are used by very few smaller manufacturers. ...

MEP stands for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit centers in over 400 locations nationwide, whose sole purpose is to provide small and medium sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed. The centers, serving all 50 States and Puerto Rico, are linked together through the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology. Centers are funded by federal, state, local and private resources to serve manufacturers. That makes it possible for even the smallest firms to tap into the expertise of knowledgeable manufacturing and business specialists all over the United States. These specialists are people who have had experience on manufacturing floors and in plant operations. Each center works directly with area manufacturers to provide expertise and services tailored to their most critical needs, which range from process improvements and worker training to business practices and applications of information technology. Solutions are offered through a combination of direct assistance from center staff and outside consultants. Centers often help small firms overcome barriers in locating and obtaining private-sector resources.

Lean Enterprise Best Practice : Lean Material Stocking System

From the Office of Naval Research's Best Manufacturing Practices (BMP) Program ... Frontier Electronic Systems developed the Lean Material Stocking System which eliminates kitting time and provides parts to the assembly floor almost immediately upon receipt. The elimination of this kitting effort reduces manufacturing cycle times and decreases costs to the customer.

... The Lean Material Stocking System was designed to stock parts needed for a job on a specific cart as they are received. A bin is placed on the cart for each part number. As material is received for that job, it is sent directly to the stockroom and placed in the proper bin on the designated job cart. When production is ready to start manufacturing the assembly, the cart is wheeled directly to the production floor where the individual parts are pulled by the assembler. ...

The Office of Naval Research's Best Manufacturing Practices (BMP) Program was created in 1985 to help businesses identify, research, and promote exceptional manufacturing practices, methods, and procedures. Its objective is to empower defense and commercial customers to operate at a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness. To this end, BMP has three core competencies represented by tools and resources that enable organizations to identify and apply best practices and become part of a vast, mutually supportive information exchange network.

Lean Enterprise Consulting: California Manufacturing Technology Consulting Adds Two to Its ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Today, through its seven regional teams, CMTC provides consulting services in the practice areas of Strategic Business, Lean Enterprise, Information Technology ...

... California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC), a private, nonprofit organization that consults with small and medium-size manufacturers to help them become more competitive and profitable, announced today that it has expanded its management team. Keith Campbell has been appointed Director of Sales and Chris Allen has been added as Director of Public Affairs. Both appointments are effective immediately. Campbell comes to CMTC with a strong consulting and manufacturing background -- including extensive sales management experience. ...

A private, nonprofit corporation, CMTC was established in 1992 to provide high value consulting services to California's high tech and traditional small and medium-size manufacturers to increase their competitive advantage through improved methods of management and manufacturing. Today, through its seven regional teams, CMTC provides consulting services in the practice areas of Strategic Business, Lean Enterprise, Information Technology, Quality and Supply Chain Management. CMTC's regional teams cover Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Orange County, Ventura/Santa Barbara County, the San Fernando/San Gabriel Valley, the San Joaquin Valley and San Diego/Imperial County.

Six Sigma Career: Pantellos Names Vice President of Product Management & Chief ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... Lutz comes to Pantellos with more than 20 years of software, technology, e-commerce and energy industry experience in addition to Six Sigma and leadership ...

... Pantellos, the leading electronic marketplace and supply chain solutions company for the energy industry, today announced it has named Robert Lutz as its vice president of product management and chief technology officer. ...

Pantellos is the leading supply chain solutions company for the energy industry. Built by the industry, for the industry, Pantellos delivers deep knowledge and expertise around a broad suite of supply chain tools and services to its trading community of more than 30 buyer and 500 supplier companies. Pantellos Marketplace solutions enable customers to electronically transact on a host of direct and indirect goods and services through either integration with its Marketplace or via managed Web solutions. Since inception, utilities have used Pantellos to source, procure and manage more than 100 categories of products and services. Pantellos offers supply chain solutions in the following categories: supply chain consulting, supply management, e-procurement, services management, e-settlement and program implementation. Established in 2000 by some of North America's largest utilities, Pantellos founders include: American Electric Power; Cinergy; Consolidated Edison, Inc.; Dominion Resources; DTE Energy; Duke Energy; Edison International; El Paso Energy; Entergy; Exelon; FirstEnergy Corp.; FPL Group; Ontario Power Generation; PG&E Corp.; Progress Energy; Public Service Enterprise Group; Reliant Resources, Inc.; Sempra Energy; Southern Company; and TXU. Pantellos is based in The Woodlands, Texas, USA.

Six Sigma Product Engineering: UGS Releases the NX(TM) 3 Digital Product Development System

From Yahoo News (press release) ... "As the industry focuses on applying the principles of proven manufacturing methodologies such as lean design and Six Sigma into product engineering, these ...

... UGS, a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced immediate availability of NX(TM) 3, the latest release of the company's software solution for digital product development. With NX 3, UGS introduces a new look and feel with a streamlined user interface, which has been designed to focus on user workflow, speeding simple design tasks and allowing organizations to easily customize their user environment to enhance productivity. ...

UGS is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with more than 3 million licensed seats and 42,000 clients worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the company promotes openness and standardization and works collaboratively with its clients in creating enterprise solutions enabling them to transform their process of innovation and thus begin to capture the value of PLM.

Six Sigma Software Design: Voxeo and Voice Architects Announce Voice User Interface Design ...

From XMLMania.com, UK ... Leveraging automated log analysis, hot-spot problem reporting, and a six-sigma based VUI design and optimization process, the resulting solution makes it easy ...

... Voxeo Corporation, the leading standards-based VoiceXML and CCXML IVR platform provider, and Voice Architects, the leading provider of speech interface design, development, and optimization services, announced at the SpeechTEK 2004 conference today a partnership to deliver a suite of valuable Voice User Interface (VUI) services to Voxeo's enterprise IVR customers and Evolution IVR developers. ...

Voxeo Corporation is the leading provider of standards based, hosted and customer premise IVR solutions. These solutions extend versatile IP and XML technologies to make it easy to create, deploy, and maintain the widest variety of telephony applications. Voxeo customers, VARs, resellers, and channel partners leverage these solutions to enhance customer care, reduce costs, and generate new sources of revenue.

Lean Six Sigma: Xerox Wins $23 Million Contract with HSBC, Inks Multimillion ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... in research and technology, Xerox invests 5 percent to 6 percent of its revenue in innovations including document technologies, Lean Six Sigma-based assessment ...

... Demonstrating growing market momentum and demand for document services, Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) today announced a $23 million contract with financial powerhouse HSBC and a multimillion-dollar win with aerospace giant The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA). Xerox simultaneously announced an expanded suite of services and software designed to serve customers' changing information technology needs, cut costs, and streamline work processes in businesses small and large. In a briefing today with more than 100 industry analysts, Xerox Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Anne M. Mulcahy said the new developments reflect the company's increasing focus on value-added services - a business that is on track to generate 20 percent growth in 2004. ...

Xerox Corporation (NYSE:XRX) is a $15.7 billion technology and services enterprise that helps businesses deploy smart document management strategies and find better ways to work. Its intent is to constantly lead with innovative technologies, products and solutions that customers can depend upon to improve business results. Headquartered in Stamford, Conn., Xerox is No.130 among the Fortune 500 and has 60,600 employees worldwide, including 35,100 in the United States (March 2004). The company's operations are guided by customer-focused and employee-centered core values -- such as social responsibility, diversity and quality -- augmented by a passion for innovation, speed and adaptability.

Six Sigma Model: Carlson Shared Services Selects Proxima Technology's Centauri ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Moreover, Centauri complies with CSS' current quality process improvement model based on Six Sigma. Centauri combines the industry ...

... Proxima Technology, a provider of software solutions that helps organizations understand and improve the business value of IT, today announced that Carlson Companies' Shared Services division selected Proxima Technology's Centauri Business Service Manager(TM) (Centauri) to enhance Carlson Shared Services' (CSS) business processes. CSS provides shared technical services to Carlson Companies' business units, such as restaurants (T.G.I. Friday's), hospitality (Radisson Hotels & Resorts) and travel services (Radisson Seven Seas Cruises and Carlson Wagonlit Travel). ...

Proxima Technology provides software solutions that help organizations understand and improve the business value of IT. Centauri Business Service Manager(TM) achieves alignment between IT and the business, optimizes critical IT services to reduce costs, improves business efficiency and prioritizes management of resources. As a business service management (BSM) visionary, Proxima Technology was the first systems management vendor to utilize Six Sigma in service delivery. Today, more named reference organizations run Centauri than any other business service management solution. Proxima Technology is headquartered in Denver, Colo., with sales offices across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Carlson Companies is a global leader in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries. Among the names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: Regent(R) International Hotels; Radisson(R) Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(R); Park Inn(R) hotels; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises(R); T.G.I. Friday's(R) and Pick Up Stix(R) restaurants; Carlson Wagonlit Travel(R); Cruise Holidays(R); Results Travel(R); Carlson Destination Marketing Services(R); Carlson Leisure Travel Services(R); CW Government Travel(R); Carlson Marketing Group(R), the world leader in Relationship Marketing; Peppers & Rogers Group(R); and Gold Points Reward Network(R), an online/offline consumer loyalty program.

Six Sigma Principles: I/Gear and Vorne Announce Partnership to Enhance Plant Floor Data ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... of I/Gear, Inc. "Together, we will accelerate a manufacturer's achievement of lean and six sigma principles.". "The combination of ...

... I/Gear, Inc., developer of manufacturing execution and performance analysis software products and Vorne Industries, Inc., manufacturer of visual display and data acquisition products announced today that the two companies have formed a technology partnership to deliver cohesive, end-to-end, manufacturing intelligence solutions. Integrating I/Gear Data Transport Utility (DTU) software with Vorne visual display and data acquisition products gives manufacturers a significant advantage over traditional data collection and delivery methods by providing a best-in-breed solution that seamlessly interconnects plant-floor devices, manufacturing software systems, databases and plant floor visual displays. This unique combination allows manufacturers to deliver critical real-time data visibility to all levels of their enterprise without custom programming, including applications where comprehensive data collection was not previously practical due to the cost and amount of integration required. ...

I/Gear is a manufacturing software company that has developed an industrial middleware tool, I/Gear Data Transport Utility (DTU), to bridge the gap between plant floor data collection devices and enterprise level software. I/Gear DTU is borne out of nearly 20 years of industry-defining integration experience. The I/Gear DTU product provides brand neutral connectivity of dissimilar technologies such as PLCs, databases, bar code scanners, Ethernet/Serial devices and visual displays in a cohesive manner. Once data is captured, the I/Gear Web Framework provides a means to view current plant status and product traceability information. Vorne Industries specializes in the design and manufacture of a broad range of visual display products including models with integrated data collection and production monitoring features. Focusing exclusively on the industrial manufacturing environment, Vorne products feature extensive data collection capabilities and a wide variety of viewable display output choices. Vorne products are based on an innovative "bolt-on" design philosophy that allows data collection and display in a single easy-to-implement package. Vorne's extensive research on lean manufacturing principles coupled with over thirty years of industrial manufacturing application experience make their products an excellent choice for plant productivity enhancements.

Lean Manufacturing Career: CTI Molecular Imaging Announces Three Executive Promotions

From Yahoo News (press release) ... Ms. Gilreath was responsible for implementing a major outsourcing program and a lean manufacturing initiative, which led to significantly reduced inventory ...

... CTI Molecular Imaging, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTMI), a leading provider of positron emission tomography (PET) equipment, molecular biomarkers and services, today announced the promotion of three executive officers, Joseph C. Sardano to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mark S. Andreaco to Senior Vice President of PETNET Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Cliffreda W. Gilreath to Chief Operating Officer. ...

CTI Molecular Imaging, Inc. is a leading supplier of products and services for positron emission tomography (PET), a diagnostic imaging technology used in the detection and treatment of cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiac disease.

CMM Performance: CTG and Polaris Partner to Provide Outsourcing Solutions to ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... of our clients' businesses with a full range of integrated services and proprietary ISO 9001:2000-certified service and SEI CMM based methodologies. ...

... CTG (NYSE: CTG - News), a US-based, international information technology (IT) services company, and Polaris Software Lab, Ltd. (MUMBAI: POLS.BO), a leading global provider of banking, insurance and financial technology solutions and strategic offshore IT services, today announced they have entered into a strategic alliance to support banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) clients in the United States and Europe. ...

Backed by 38 years' experience, CTG provides information technology outsourcing, consulting, software development and integration, and staffing solutions to help Global 2000 clients focus on their core businesses and use IT as a competitive advantage to excel in their markets. CTG combines in-depth understanding of our clients' businesses with a full range of integrated services and proprietary ISO 9001:2000-certified service and SEI CMM based methodologies. Our 2,500 IT professionals, based in an international network of offices in North America and Europe, have a proven track record of delivering solutions that work.

Polaris Software (MUMBAI: POLS.BO) is a leading global provider of IT services, solutions and products for BFSI industries. The company's unparalleled domain expertise, unique hybrid services/software solutions model and 18 years of managing offshore engagements for major regional and global multinational organizations enables Polaris to deliver complete, strategic outsourcing solutions including application development, management, testing and support; customizable, end-to-end financial service solutions; its award- winning Intellect modular banking software suite; and BPO. Polaris is the world's first CMMi Level 5 company, and its physical and information security practices meet the stringent security standards of the world's top financial firms. The company employs more than 5,200 associates in 22 offices across 13 countries, and operates six software engineering centers in India and a business continuity center in Singapore.

Level 5 CMM: Syntel and Borland Improve Productivity and Manageability of ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... one of Forbes Magazine's "Best 200 Small Companies in America," Syntel has more than 4,200 employees worldwide, is assessed at Level 5 of the SEI's CMM and is ...

... Syntel (NASDAQ:SYNT), a global applications outsourcing and eBusiness firm, today announced a strategic relationship with Borland Software Corporation (NASDAQ:BORL) that will combine the benefits of Borland's best-in-class software delivery solutions with Syntel's Global Delivery Model for successfully managing and servicing offshore IT projects. Syntel, which has more than 4,200 professionals in 26 offices worldwide, will train and certify a team of experts to build and deploy software based on Borland's leading platform independent solutions - products that help manage the entire application lifecycle across distributed development environments. ...

Syntel (NASDAQ:SYNT) is a leading global provider of custom outsourcing solutions in a broad spectrum of information technology and information technology-enabled services. The Company's vertical practices support the entire Design-Build-Operate-Optimize lifecycle of systems and processes for corporations in the Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Health Care and Automotive industries. The first US-based firm to launch a Global Delivery Service to drive speed-to-market and quality advantages for its customers, Syntel now leverages this efficient model for the majority of its Global 2000 customers. Recently named one of Forbes Magazine's "Best 200 Small Companies in America," Syntel has more than 4,200 employees worldwide, is assessed at Level 5 of the SEI's CMM and is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Software to Reduce Variability: Pavilion Technologies Awarded DOE Grant to Advance the Study of ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Pavilion has applied similar approaches to industrial processes to reduce the variability, drive down variable costs, increase production and enhance product ...

... Pavilion Technologies, a world leader in advanced process control (APC) and environmental compliance solutions, announced that it has been awarded a grant through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. As part of the grant, Pavilion will further advance its research of modeling complex systems using both first-principles equations and empirical information. In particular, Pavilion will enhance algorithms that enable self-validation and diagnostics of these combined models. These developments will result in faster deployment of complex modeling solutions and more robust control of both high-speed accelerator and manufacturing processes. ...

Pavilion Technologies is the leading developer of advanced process control (APC) and environmental compliance solutions. Pavilion's ValueFirst(TM) customer relationship methodology aligns the company's people, products and processes to deliver rapid and recurring value for their customers. More than 350 leading companies worldwide, including ATOFINA, BP, Eastman Chemicals, Fonterra, Nestle and Weyerhauser depend on Pavilion's solutions to increase yield, enhance product quality, reduce variable costs and achieve environmental compliance each day. Pavilion Technologies is a privately held company based in Austin, TX, with offices serving every region of the world. Pavilion Technologies was founded in 1991, leveraging intellectual capital from Dupont, Eastman Chemical, and the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) to apply neural network modeling to industrial applications. Since that time, Pavilion has advanced its pure decision generation research while delivering valuable solutions to its customers.

Pavilion’s flagship multivariable predictive control solution – Process Perfecter® – is the only solution in the market capable of synthesizing all available information – process knowledge, first-principle equations, or empirical models – into a comprehensive model of the production process. In addition to the flexibility of the solution, Process Perfecter® is the most computationally efficient controller in the market, to continuously improve the production process based on a customers’ unique business objectives.

Six Sigma Career: STATS ChipPAC Appoints Chief Operating Officer

From Yahoo News (press release) ... Choong Hoe has been very successful in manufacturing start-ups, cost reduction, improved operational metrics, building strong teams, and implementing Six Sigma ...

... STATS ChipPAC Ltd. ("STATS ChipPAC") (Nasdaq: STTS and SGX: ST Assembly), a leading independent semiconductor test and advanced packaging service provider, today announced the appointment of Wan Choong Hoe as Chief Operating Officer. ...

STATS ChipPAC Ltd ("STATS ChipPAC") (Nasdaq: STTS and SGX: ST Assembly), is a leading service provider of semiconductor packaging design, assembly, test and distribution solutions. A trusted partner and supplier to leading semiconductor companies worldwide, STATS ChipPAC's value proposition is total solutions of fully integrated, multi-site, end-to-end assembly and testing solutions that bring products to market and volume faster. Our customers are some of the largest wafer foundries, integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), as well as fabless companies in the United States, Europe and Asia. STATS ChipPAC is a leader in mixed signal testing and advanced packaging technology for semiconductors used in diverse end market applications including communications, power, digital consumer and computing. With advanced process technology capabilities and a global manufacturing presence spanning Singapore, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and the United States, STATS ChipPAC has a reputation for providing dependable, high quality test and packaging solutions. The Company's customer support offices are located in the Netherlands, China, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and the United States (California's Silicon Valley, Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, Colorado and North Carolina). STATS ChipPAC's facilities include those of its subsidiary, Winstek Semiconductor Corporation in Hsinchu Valley, Taiwan. These facilities offer new product introduction support, pre- production wafer sort, final test, packaging and other high volume preparatory services. Together with the Company's Test Development Center in Singapore, this forms a global network providing dedicated test engineering development and product engineering support for customers from design to volume production. STATS ChipPAC is listed on both Nasdaq National Market and The Singapore Exchange. In addition, STATS ChipPAC is also listed on the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Index and the Straits Times Industrial Index.

Balanced Scorecard: Qantas seeks $1m for board members

From The Age, Australia ... "In relation to the 2005 and 2006 year, the board will set appropriate targets - again achievement of satisfactory results on a balanced scorecard basis," it ...

... Qantas Airways Ltd shareholders will be asked to vote on a collective $1 million pay rise for its board members and new equity bonuses for its chief executive, following its 2003/04 record net profit result. ...

Qantas Airways has been the Spirit of Australia for 84 years. The airline currently operates a fleet of 187 aircraft, across a network spanning 142 destinations in 32 countries.

BioInformatics Computing: AIST to Advance Life Sciences Research With IBM Supercomputer

From Market Wire (press release) ... AIST scientists are developing parallel and distributed computing techniques for solving large-scale data processing and searching problems in bioinformatics. ...

... IBM announced today that AIST, a leading Japanese research laboratory, will use an IBM BlueGene/L supercomputer to advance their research in proteins, potentially accelerating breakthroughs in drug design. The Computational Biology Research Center (CBRC) of The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) will use the extreme computational power of BlueGene/L to better predict 3-D protein structures, key to understanding how drugs interact with diseases. IBM Research and AIST are also exploring possible areas for joint research using application software IBM has specifically designed to tackle protein simulations on BlueGene/L. ...

Blue Gene is an IBM supercomputing project which is creating a new family of supercomputers optimized for bandwidth, scalability and the ability to handle large amounts of data while consuming a fraction of the power and floor space required by today's fastest systems. The project originated in 1999 in IBM's Research Division and is expected to be used worldwide by government and university researchers as well as businesses to tackle the most advanced challenges in several very different fields, including genomic research, automotive design, finance, weather forecasting and fluid dynamics. The Argonne National Laboratory in the US and ASTRON, a leading Dutch astronomical organization, will also be installing BlueGene/L supercomputers in 2005 to tackle unique scientific challenges. BlueGene/L is also part of the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)'s Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Program. IBM has partnered with the NNSA since 2001 in research and development of the BlueGene/L architecture. The NNSA will be installing a very large BlueGene/L system in 2005 at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to advance understanding of materials behavior, in particular at very high densities and temperatures.

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is an Independent Administrative Institution (IAI) under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. AIST is Japan's largest public research organization with 25 research centers, 20 research institutes, 5 research initiatives nationwide and around 3,200 employees. Aiming to become a core base for bioinformatics research in Japan, The Computational Biology Research Center (CBRC) applies advanced information science theory and large-scale high-speed computational systems to R&D efforts in order to contribute to the dramatic advance in bioinformatics and its systemization.

BioInformatics Expertise: Dharmacon Expands RNAi Supply Agreement With Wyeth

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Using its core expertise in chemistry, biology, bioinformatics and production, Dharmacon has pioneered a custom siRNA design service that employs its ...

... Dharmacon, Inc., the leading global supplier of innovative RNA and RNA-interference (RNAi) research products, announced today an agreement to supply custom siRNA reagents to the genomics research operations at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Dharmacon will supply SMARTpool(R) reagents and individual SMARTselection(TM) designed duplexes covering 800 gene targets. The custom siRNA reagents will be used by Wyeth to support and accelerate the company's genomic-based drug development research. ...

Dharmacon is the world's leading provider of reliable, high quality RNA oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA (siRNA) and related RNA-interference (RNAi) products and technologies. Using its core expertise in chemistry, biology, bioinformatics and production, Dharmacon has pioneered a custom siRNA design service that employs its proprietary technologies for maximizing the efficiency of gene silencing, a powerful and increasingly widely-used new technology based on siRNA. Dharmacon's proprietary SMARTselection(TM) and SMARTpool(R) technologies result in potent and specific gene-silencing agents that can accelerate a broad range of life-science research. Dharmacon's siGENOME(TM) siRNA, a comprehensive and flexible gene-silencing collection, offers guaranteed SMARTpool reagents and SMARTselection-designed siRNAs targeting all unique human, mouse and rat genes in the NCBI RefSeq database. The company's ON-TARGET(TM) siRNA further enhances silencing specificity, and its revolutionary new siSTABLE(TM) siRNA offers unparalleled stability and gene-silencing longevity. Founded in 1995 and based in Lafayette, Colo., Dharmacon is a subsidiary of Fisher Scientific International Inc.

BioInformatics Process: Large Scale Biology to Present at the Wall Street Analyst Forum in ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... has developed proprietary technologies for cost effective discovery, development and manufacture of drugs and vaccines and a unique bioinformatics process that ...

... Large Scale Biology Corporation (NASDAQ:LSBC), a developer and manufacturer of drugs and vaccines for effective treatment of disease, today announced that John S. Rakitan, Senior Vice President and General Counsel will present at the Wall Street Analyst Forum on Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, in New York City at the Roosevelt Hotel. ...

Large Scale Biology Corporation (LSBC) is one of the world's leading companies dedicated to the discovery, analysis, manufacture and commercialization of proteins — the molecules at the business end of biology. LSBC's activities are built around an integrated suite of ultra-sensitive, industrial-scale technologies created to realize the full commercial and pharmaceutical potential of biology. LSBC's proprietary technologies radically extend the power of genomics. Whereas traditional genomics companies concentrate on deciphering genetic information, LSBC goes further, directly analyzing, manipulating and manufacturing the proteins that the genetic information encodes. Proteins are at the heart of all biological processes, and LSBC's unique protein-focused technologies have placed the company at the forefront of the drive to bring twenty-first century biology to the marketplace.

CBM Condition Based Maintenance: US Senator John Warner Announces Funding for Department of Defense ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... The goal of the program is to develop high temperature photonic sensor instrumentation to support the Navy's Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) program for ...

... U.S. Senator John Warner (R-VA) announced today that Prime Research, LC, a subsidiary of Prime Photonics, LC, has been selected by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Carderock-Philadelphia to receive $ 1,999,682 for a program to develop and manufacture fiber optic sensors for the U.S. Navy. The goal of the program is to develop high temperature photonic sensor instrumentation to support the Navy's Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) program for marine power gas turbine engines in order to increase the efficiency, reliability, and performance of turbine-powered surface ships. ...

Prime Photonics, LC and Prime Research, LC (http://www.primeresearchlc.com) focus on commercialization and research and development of photonic sensor systems for harsh environments in industries such as propulsion, aerospace, defense, energy, industrial, nuclear, oil & gas production, homeland security, medical and power generation. The environments ideally suited for photonic sensors include harsh environments with high temperatures, high pressures, high electromagnetic and radiofrequency interferences, and/or corrosive atmospheres. Another company in the Prime Photonics group dedicated to developing solutions to nationwide challenges is Prime NanoScience whose mission is the development and commercialization of nanotechnology for commercial and military applications.

Predictive Analytics Capability: Insightful Announces Operating Results for Second Quarter 2004 ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... as we help our customers develop and deploy predictive analytics.". Total Data Analysis revenues, including software licenses, maintenance and professional ...

... Insightful Corporation (Nasdaq:IFULE), a leading provider of software solutions for analysis of numeric and text data, today announced financial results for the second quarter 2004. Insightful reported revenues of $4.5 million for the second quarter of 2004, an increase of 3% over both first quarter 2004 and second quarter 2003 revenues of $4.3 million. ...

Insightful Corporation (Nasdaq:IFULE) provides enterprises with scalable data analysis solutions that drive better decisions faster by revealing patterns, trends and relationships. The company is a leading supplier of software and services for statistical data analysis, data mining and knowledge access enabling clients to gain intelligence from numeric and text data. Insightful products include S-PLUS(R), S-PLUS(R) Server, Insightful Miner(TM), and InFact(R). Insightful consulting services provide specialized expertise and proven processes for the design, development and deployment of customized solutions. The company has been delivering industry-leading, high-ROI solutions for 17 years to thousands of companies in financial services, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, telecommunications, manufacturing, plus government and research institutions.

Predictive Maintenance Software: Emerson Awarded $9 Million Contract by BP Angola for Automation of ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... protocol capability, networked with the Emerson DeltaV(TM) digital automation system, which includes the unique AMS(TM) Suite predictive maintenance software. ...

... Emerson Process Management, a business of Emerson (NYSE:EMR), announced today that it has been awarded a $9 million contract by BP to automate a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel that will develop the Greater Plutonio Deepwater offshore oil fields of Angola. Emerson will provide engineering, design and commissioning, plus long-term support for integrated control systems on BP's Greater Plutonio FPSO vessel. ...

Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb(R), Micro Motion(R), Rosemount(R), Fisher(R), Daniel(R), DeltaV(TM), Ovation(R), and AMS(TM) Suite. St. Louis-based Emerson is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers in process control; electronics and telecommunications; industrial automation; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 2003 were $14 billion.

Lean Manufacturing Training: Business Calendar

From Winston Salem Journal, NC ... Carol Mills will discuss planning and scheduling in a lean manufacturing environment. Cost is $30; $25 preregistration; $15 students. ...

... The Piedmont Triad chapter of APICS/Lifelong Learning for Lifelong Success will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Airport Marriott hotel, Greensboro. Carol Mills will discuss planning and scheduling in a lean manufacturing environment. Cost is $30; $25 preregistration; $15 students. Call 323-9836, or register at www.triadapics.org ...

EPM: Intentia Enterprise Performance Management Software...

From Intentia... Enterprise performance management through the balanced scorecard or other measurement means is necessary for the success of today's organization...

... Opportunity Analysis (Map, Target, Plan) is performed using Intentia's specialized IT application, Performance Manager. Performance Manager is coordinated with the supply chain operations reference model (SCOR model). The SCOR model enables benchmarking of key performance indicators between different companies. Performance Manager also contains a specialized variant of the DuPont model, which focuses on process-driven profitability (PDP), to support systematic management of the key business processes’ profitability. ...

The natural way to improve the company's profitability and key value metrics is by introducing best practices into the processes. The Business Process Performance Manager points out the best practices available for the key business processes within the value chain.

Intentia is one of the world's leading suppliers of collaboration solutions, with approximately 3,000 employees who serve more than 3,400 customers in the manufacturing, maintenance and distribution industries via a global network spanning some 40 countries. Intentia is a public company traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (XSSE) under the symbol INT B. Intentia International AB is the parent company of the Intentia Group, which consists of six business groups (BGs): Northwestern Europe, Northern Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific. The BGs' role is to establish partner acquisitions and support the partner network with training, technology transfer and implementation. Products and methods are developed centrally by Intentia Research & Development. Intentia currently employs nearly 3,400 people in some 40 countries around the world and has a customer base of 3,500 manufacturing and distribution companies worldwide that use the Movex collaborative enterprise application.

Lean Manufacturing Strategy: PennEngineering is joined to quality

From Winston Salem Journal, NC ... said. The emphasis on teamwork and lean manufacturing strategies resonates with the employees in several ways, Hicks said. Although ...

... PennEngineering Fastening Technologies has attached the future of its Winston-Salem operations to advanced manufacturing and a new generation of teamwork. ...

PennEngineering is the parent of PennEngineering Fastening Technologies, a leading specialty fastener manufacturer; PennEngineering Motion Technologies, a manufacturer of high-performance brush, brushless and stepper motors; and Arconix Group, a global distribution and inventory-management company. PennEngineering companies provide design, product, and inventory management solutions worldwide for diverse industries, including electronics, computer, data/telecom, medical, automotive, marine, aircraft, and general manufacturing. PennEngineering Fastening Technologies™ serves as a single source for fastening solutions, offering the hardware, equipment, and technical services and support to satisfy assembly needs from design through production.