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.