MarketWatch

— October 25, 2004

Agile Offers Update of Product Lifecycle Management Software
Agile Software Corp. has released Agile Advantage 2005, a software platform for product lifecycle management (PLM). The system is aimed at small and medium-sized companies, focusing on business-process templates for product record management, quality, program management, product sourcing and integration. It covers a wide array of product data, including bills of material, manufacturer management, item masters, revisions and product changes. Document-control features result in faster information retrieval and sharing, helping users to comply with regulatory requirements. View and markup capability provides full support for 2D and 3D engineering drawings, EDA schematics and business documents. In the area of quality management, a closed-loop Corrective Action/Preventive Action feature links problem identification and reporting with engineering and product-change processes, in compliance with FDA Part 11, Sarbanes-Oxley and ISO 9000 regulations. Agile's On Demand PLM software is administered through the vendor's application service provider offering.
http://www.agile.com/

Microsoft's Solomon Enhances ERP System for Mid-Sized Users
Microsoft Business Solutions has updated its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for mid-sized companies with the release of Solomon 6.0. The latest version, according to Microsoft, features improved usability, greater efficiencies and self-service options through Microsoft Business Solutions Business Portal 2.5, enhancements to project management and accounting functions, and additional analytics and reporting options. Users get an improved product interface and access to integrated, Web-based data and functions. Through the use of Business Portal 2.5 and Solomon 6.0, they obtain the full functionality of the Solomon Desktop as well as new modules, including key performance indicators and advanced payroll features. Employees can build a centralized project desktop which consolidates previously disparate aspects of project, management and accounting tasks. Solomon 6.0 users can store, share and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and other documents in the Business Portal, which has Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services as its underlying structure.
http://www.microsoft.com/

Averitt Express Broadens LTL Service to Include All of Canada
Averitt Express is now providing less-than-truckload (LTL) service to and from all points in Canada. The expansion is the result of a strategic partnership between Averitt and CF Managing Movement. The latter is the parent company of two regional Canadian carriers, Canadian Freightways and Epic Express, and is a subsidiary of Transforce, Canada's largest transportation company. Averitt said it now provides seamless LTL service to and from all 10 Canadian provinces and three Canadian territories. For the past seven years, the carrier has provided direct service only to the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Averitt and CF Managing Movement are sharing systems for paperwork, pickup, tracking, claims and customer service. Shipments will move via one freight bill through the process, offering real-time tracking across the border, and instant visibility on Averitt's website.
http://www.averittexpress.com

ARC Unveils New Service to Aid Asian Marketing Initiatives
ARC Advisory Group has created the Asian Strategic Market Service (SMS), to support manufacturing and logistics vendors' marketing efforts in the Asian region. Members get direct access to competitive and market intelligence. ARC's analysis is derived from the firm's global presence, along with dedicated research centers in China, Japan and India. For companies based outside Asia, the program provides support for setting up and expanding sales channels in Asia. It is aimed at vendors of hardware, software and services to the manufacturing and logistics industries. Additional SMS program benefits include strategy planning support, quarterly briefings with analysts, go-to-market marketing audit and review, speaker engagement, ARC-researched white papers, and an ARC regional market research study.
http://www.arcweb.com

Voxware's Voice-Interaction Tools Now on LXE's Handheld
The VoiceLogistics applications of VoxWare, Inc. are now available on the MX3X, the handheld wireless computer from LXE Inc. The product integration gives customers the dual benefits of a voice application and a more traditional auto-ID tool, without having to purchase separate computers for each. VoiceLogistics lets workers utilize audio commands and voice responses to a wide variety of logistics tasks, such as picking, receiving, putaway and replenishment. The MX3X is a horizontal half-screen handheld computer, running Windows CE.NET and based on the Intel X-Scale. It offers multiple screen options, including color touchscreen, a QWERTY keyboard and integrated scanner option.
http://www.lxe.com
http://www.voxware.com

Symbol, Nextel Team Up on Development of Mobile Computing
Symbol Technologies, Inc. and Nextel Communications, Inc. have entered into an agreement to develop mobile computing systems. The deal includes the embedding of Nextel's integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology into future handheld devices from Symbol. The partners said they will jointly develop and market voice and data mobile products, targeting field service and sales personnel in multiple industries, including transportation and distribution, public safety, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, utilities and telecommunications. Customers using Symbol iDEN embedded handheld products will have access to Nextel's nationwide wireless network and Symbol's mobility reference architecture. As a result, Symbol will incorporate Nextel's 4-in-1 wireless offerings, including digital cellular voice, National Direct Connect service, Nextel Online wireless data and two-way messaging. The two companies will deliver products directly to business customers, as well as through one another's channel partner and reseller networks.
http://www.symbol.com

Motorola, SkyBitz Join Forces to Sell GLS Technology
Motorola, Inc. and SkyBitz have expanded their existing relationship to allow Motorola to sell SkyBitz products and services to customers throughout North America. SkyBitz sells a satellite-based service for asset monitoring and information management. Under the new deal, all information services will continue to pass through the SkyBitz Network Operations Center for asset monitoring. At the same time, SkyBitz's Global Locating System (GLS) technology will be added to Motorola's existing portfolio of asset-tracking products for business and government users. The partners said they are pursuing new security and global logistics markets, including maritime, intermodal containers, and rail and automotive fleets. They will continue to serve the trucking, agriculture and construction equipment markets. Last December, as part of a new round of financing, SkyBitz secured an investment from Motorola Ventures, the strategic venture arm of Motorola, Inc. The companies also entered into an agreement to collaborate on development of new products that build upon the GLS technology platform.
http://www.motorola.com
http://www.skybitz.com

Adexa, HP Japan Launch New Manufacturing Planning Project
Adexa, a provider of supply-chain planning and performance-management software, has undertaken a joint project with HP Japan to deliver Adexa's Enterprise Global Planning System (eGPS) on HP Integrity servers, employing the 64-bit Intel Itanium 2 processor. The collaboration will allow manufacturers to use the Integrity server's processing capabilities in conjunction with Adexa's software, helping them to respond more quickly and efficiently to orders in the supply chain. The 64-bit processing power of HP Integrity servers provide more comprehensive supply-chain and factory plans in a fraction of time needed by 32-bit technology, the companies said. As a result, multiple planning scenarios can be modeled on the same server.
http://www.adexa.com

Blue Vector Takes Network-Based Approach to RFID Technology
Blue Vector Systems has created a software product that equips supply-chain management with radio frequency identification (RFID) capabilities, via a network-based approach. The tool enables centralized management and operations by providing a global view of the entire RFID network. Users can control and modify RFID business processes across the supply chain, the vendor said. Blue Vector's NetAspect Weaver technology makes the entire infrastructure reconfigurable, so that companies can manage business processes, technology and standards changes in real time. Disruptions to the supply chain, such as recalls, can be handled and incorporated into the RFID infrastructure. Reconfigurability also allows for the incorporation of new standards, software systems and compliance mandates, Blue Vector said. Companies can more easily create interactions between processes, such as transportation management and warehouse management systems, which can be linked to one another at the RFID infrastructure layer.
http://www.bluevectorsystems.com

Cimmetry's Autovue Now Supports Inventor, SolidWorks Tools
The latest service pack for AutoVue 18, product-design software from Cimmetry Systems, adds support for Autodesk Inventor version 9 and SolidWorks version 2005. The service pack is available immediately for AutoVue users under maintenance. AutoVue provides native viewing, printing, markup, digital mockup and real-time collaboration support of engineering drawings, 2D CAD, 3D drawings, parts and assemblies, PCB layouts and schematics, and office documents. Cimmetry also announced that the Client-Server Edition of AutoVue 18 is now available for versions 8 and 9 of Sun Solaris servers. Clients can access data using browsers for Windows, Mac and UNIX. New features of AutoVue 18 for UNIX include digital mockup, 3D/2D MCAD, and EDA/ECAD. Cimmetry's visualization and collaboration products are intended for the architecture, engineering and construction; engineering; manufacturing and electronics markets.
Support for Autodesk:
http://www.cimmetry.com/
AutoVue for UNIX:
http://www.cimmetry.com/

VeriSign's Developers Program Aims at EPCglobal Network
The EPC (Electronic Product Code) Application Developers Program is now available from VeriSign, Inc., a provider of infrastructure services for the internet and telecommunications networks. The program creates a test environment for companies looking to integrate the EPCglobal Network into their radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled supply-chain management systems. It will serve multiple developer communities, including those working for software application vendors, as well as developers supporting custom applications for pilots directly on application servers or Web services platforms. One of the critical requirements for broad adoption of the EPCglobal Network is the availability of standards-based applications that make used of RFID event information to improve business practices, VeriSign said. Its new program is intended to supply practical experience to software developers while standards for the EPCglobal Network continue to evolve.
http://www.verisign.com/

Acsis Updates Software Platform for RFID, Device Integration
Acsis, Inc. has released DataLink 4.1, the newest version of its platform for radio frequency identification (RFID) and device integration. The product combines new device and information-management capabilities with integration support for VeriSign's EPC Starter Service, thereby easing the implementation of comprehensive RFID systems, according to the vendor. Acsis worked closely on the development of DataLink 4.1 with VeriSign, which operates the Object Naming Service (ONS) on behalf of EPCglobal (see previous item). The EPC Starter Service provides a network infrastructure for retailers and manufacturers to begin sharing and securing key supply-chain data. It allows for the storage, discovery and sharing of RFID product information. DataLink 4.1 also permits better management of RFID devices, such as readers and label printers.
http://www.acsisinc.com

HP, OATSystems Create RFID System for Tracking of Goods
HP and OATSystems, Inc. have jointly created a radio frequency identification (RFID) tool for companies implementing the technology in order to track the movement of goods in real time. OATSystems is a vendor of RFID software. The new product, known as RFID/IS (Industrial Strength), allows companies to capture RFID data and track goods across an extended supply chain. It was developed for automotive, consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical, consumer electronics, retail and high-tech customers. RFID/IS was created out of best practices developed by the two partners. It combines an RFID framework, systems management, and consulting and integration services into a single offering. OATSystems provides the OAT Foundation Suite, software containing four layers for managing RFID infrastructure: RFID system of record, business context layer, EPC number management and RFID middleware. HP adds HP OpenView management software, HP Services and HP infrastructure technology, including ProLiant servers, high-end UNIX Superdome servers, StorageWorks technology and printing devices.
http://www.hp.com/


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