Lockheed Martin Deploys Web-Based Management Framework for Significant Cost Savings; PTC's Windchill Provides Access to JSF Program Data
FORT WORTH, Texas, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Reduced costs and increased management effectiveness for the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program are among the expected benefits of a unique, Internet-based management system that will provide unprecedented access to JSF information across the program's vast data network.
This early deployment during the concept demonstration phase (CDP) allows joint utilization and refinement with the customer, further reducing Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) risks.
The Integrated Management Framework (IMF), an extension of Windchill business software developed by PTC (formerly Parametric Technology Corp.), enables authorized JSF suppliers, partners, subcontractors and customers to review the status of every JSF system -- worldwide -- simply by logging on to the Internet.
"The most common reaction I get is, 'It's too good to believe,'" said John Burdett, JSF Engineering and Manufacturing Development planning manager for Lockheed Martin. "If you know how to turn on your computer, you can navigate the Web."
Frank Cappuccio, vice president and JSF program manager for Lockheed Martin, said the system takes JSF management efficiency to a new level.
"We are continually infusing commercial technology into the JSF program to bring down costs, while providing real-time, desktop information to all the stakeholders. IMF represents a quantum leap," Cappuccio said. "We expect to reap tremendous cost savings as we interface with our suppliers using business-to-business commercial technology without resulting in a major system upgrade to current supplier hardware. More than 5,000 users throughout the Lockheed Martin JSF program will have daily access to IMF."
Successfully managing such a large program requires collaboration among many constituencies, including those involved in design, engineering and work-flow management, as well as suppliers and partners. IMF enables seamless access to data and information-sharing among everyone involved in the JSF program, and participants can work independently on their respective tasks without having to change their existing software tools.
The Windchill-based system is designed with open-system architecture that allows for fast and easy modifications as JSF program requirements evolve. The software provider, PTC, is a Massachusetts-based business-to-business software developer.
"Windchill's most significant strength for the JSF program is the level of integration it enables," said Jim Baum, PTC executive vice president. "By taking advantage of the Internet to allow complete integration of multiple systems in multiple locations, Lockheed Martin will be able to more easily manage this cooperative effort while reducing overhead."
Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufq:ics and technology services. |
