Apriso Launches “Core” Implementation Program to Accelerate ERP Deployment to the Plant Floor

Proven program maximizes the value of ERP by performing critical integration of business processes across multi-site, global manufacturing environments

(Long Beach, CA – May 22, 2007) – Apriso Corporation, a provider of adaptive software solutions for global operations execution, today announced a Core implementation program designed to optimize the configuration and implementation of its Operations Execution System (OES) across global manufacturing enterprises. This proven approach helps manufacturers accelerate and better integrate ERP with manufacturing and operations, enabling a rapid roll-out of MES / OES business process applications.

The Core program is an implementation methodology designed to take advantage of Apriso’s FlexNet® platform. Applying an 80/20 rule, a Core implementation approach identifies the approximate 80 percent of consistent business processes performed throughout the manufacturing environment – across all locations – as a Core system. These standardized business processes and performance measurements (KPIs) are then packaged and distributed enterprise wide, yet remain sufficiently flexible to accommodate future updates.

Apriso is uniquely capable of implementing this Core system because of its FlexNet platform and Global Manufacturing Suite (GMS), each based on a flexible Business Process (BPM) and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). This architecture enables business process integration across an organization’s operations and between its business systems and plant controls, or automation layer. GMS enables business and IT managers to easily package, distribute and manage sets of best practice business processes across the enterprise.

Learn more about FlexNet GMS and its business process architecture at: www.apriso.com/pr/global.

The efficiency of a Core program is demonstrated by Apriso’s ability to effectively implement and support large, multi-site clients operating diverse manufacturing environments, including either discreet or process-based facilities. Apriso customers are leveraging FlexNet as a critical part of their enterprise business process integration. At a leading cosmetics company a ‘Core’ system was established as part of an SAP roll out to manufacturing. The system is now being implemented at a rate of 4 sites every 6 months across two continents. One of the world’s leading automotive glass manufacturers is utilizing this approach to implement a Core system of business processes based on Apriso’s OES platform and is cutting-over 45 plants; while a global leader in paper, packaging and wood products, is cutting-over 80 plants taking a Core system approach to operate as an integrated ‘ecosystem’, closely integrating Apriso’s OES and SAP’s ERP systems.
 
An additional benefit of the Core program has been to simplify and accelerate ERP deployments down to the plant floor for global, multi-site manufacturers. Apriso’s Operations Execution System is a means of extending the reach and acceptance of ERP, complementing its functionality, while contributing to better global visibility and management of operations.

Apriso effectively fills the ‘white spaces’ around an ERP system, establishing directive user interfaces for operations personnel, as well as providing 24x7 visibility down to the plant floor. By treating a company’s Operations Execution System (including MES, WMS, Maintenance, Labor, Supply Chain Visibility and Quality) as a ‘module’ of ERP, manufacturing operations may be integrated, managed and deployed as an enterprise architectural component. In this way, Apriso’s broad OES footprint is effectively the bottom layer of ERP, rather than the top layer of plant manufacturing operations.

“Many times, the initial driver for MES applications originates from the plant floor as an attempt to methodically trigger production, distribute work instructions and enforce production workflows. However, MES is changing from a production-focused application to a critical part of enterprise business process integration,” states Gartner in its MarketScope for MES Software report, written by Andrew Hughes and Kenneth Brant in September, 2006. 

This new focus has created a demand for MES / OES applications that can be managed and deployed across the enterprise.  To address this demand, Apriso’s system provides:

• Support for multiple manufacturing models, to best handle diversity within processes
• Capability to easily extend core applications to unique, plant level requirements
• An infrastructure to effectively manage processes across multiple plants and IT environments

“Our customers are selecting Apriso to help them achieve a tightly integrated supply chain network together leveraging knowledge, business processes and technology across their manufacturing operations and locations,” states Jim Henderson, president and CEO of Apriso. “They are achieving this vision by replicating best practice processes globally, with an outcome of better performance across operations. This is the essence of being a globally-managed company.”

One Apriso client who has successfully taken the Core program approach is Saint-Gobain Sekurit. Saint-Gobain Sekurit, one of the leading automotive glass manufacturers in the world, has gained extensive visibility, adaptability and control across their manufacturing operations and ERP systems, all the way down to the plant floor. To learn more, please go to http://www.apriso.com/pr/SaintGobain to attend a free Apriso online event presented by Saint-Gobain Sekurit, with an introductory industry perspective delivered by Simon Jacobson, Research Analyst with AMR Research.

About Apriso
Apriso Corporation is a software company dedicated to providing competitive advantage for its customers. It does so by enabling organizations to adapt quickly and easily to market changes and unexpected events. Apriso’s FlexNet platform provides visibility, adaptability and real-time control of manufacturing operations across the enterprise and supply chain network. This is accomplished by integrating planning, execution and control, increasing operational efficiency and eliminating errors in the production process. Apriso serves more than 150 customers in 40 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, powering more than 550 installations worldwide. Its customers include General Motors, Lear, Honeywell, Microsoft, L'Oreal, Lockheed Martin, Becton Dickinson, Rubbermaid, Saint-Gobain, Novelis and Essilor.

Apriso and FlexNet are registered trademarks of Apriso Corporation.  All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.