back in today at 6.49 SB, here's more good news.
Ford Picks i2 for Parts Reuse System
Nov 8, 2001 (NewsFactor.com via COMTEX) -- In a recession, the bottom line is everything to manufacturers. For car makers, one of the best ways to improve the bottom line is to simplify the design and parts processes. That is what Ford (NYSE: F) is trying to do by implementing a new set of applications to improve its global component management system.
Ford has selected design and content modules from supply chain software firm i2 Technologies (Nasdaq: ITWO) to support more than 7,000 engineers and designers as they decide which parts to use in particular auto models.
According to i2, this deployment represents the latest step in Ford's ongoing initiative to speed time-to-market and to reduce vehicle and vehicle development costs through appropriate reuse of engineered and commodity components.
Phased Implementation
During the first deployment phase, according to i2, Ford managers developed a list of value commodities by working with i2 software to add data for tens of thousands of parts. From this data, Ford created a preferred catalog of "value" parts.
The recently completed second phase of the project involved making the value component catalog available to Ford engineers on a global basis through a Web interface. Future releases of the catalog will include more commodity categories and will provide additional online analytical support, according to the companies.
Reuse Reduces Costs
"The component management system that Ford has envisioned is cutting edge for the automotive industry. Part and design reuse has an immediate and real impact on the bottom line," i2 chairman Sanjiv Sidhu said. "We are excited to continue advancing Ford's efforts in this area through the addition of more content and real-time analytical and collaboration tools."
This implementation comes just after Ford announced a back-to-basics quality program -- called Q1 2002 -- which the auto giant said will require strong collaborative relationships with its suppliers and will use clear metrics, rigorous site assessment and continuous improvement methods. The program is a revision of Ford's well-known Q1 supplier certification, in which parts suppliers are granted preferred status after achieving certain quality characteristics.
Ford is the latest addition to i2's growing list of blue-chip customers, which recently has expanded to include PepsiCo, Toshiba and Sprint.
By Kimberly Hill |
