Sky Technologies Consulting to take on one of the largest SAP mobility projects of 2009 in Australia

Melbourne, Australia (PRWEB) February 3, 2009—After a detailed and thorough RFB process, the Water Corporation of Western Australia (Water Corp) has appointed Melbourne based Sky Technologies Consulting (STC) to deliver the initial scoping and planning phase for their MCP project. 

Despite strong competition, STC were selected as the preferred vendor for what is believed to be one of the largest SAP mobility projects in Australia in 2009.

The Water Corp sought to replace their existing bespoke application with a single mobile computing platform, which will give the organization the ability to mobilize other parts of their business. The software is designed to allow Water Corp to develop and deploy their own mobile solutions in the future
Sky Technologies have been delivering mobility and integration solutions to the SAP market since 1998 and has the experience and understanding of the complexities involved in extending SAP business processes into the field
The initial 3 month project is to plan, design and blueprint a next generation Mobile Work Management Solution for use by the field engineering teams, who are responsible for the providing maintenance services for the world’s largest geographically dispersed water utility.

The application will enable the provisioning of maintenance orders as well as the collection of field data to be integrated into Water Corp’s SAP plant maintenance system. The solution will be deployed to over 700 field workers across Western Australia.

“The deployment of this solution will be delivered on our world leading mobility platform, SkyMobile. This will replace the existing bespoke solution which has been in operation for the past 4 years at Water Corporation. Whilst the intention is to replace the existing functionality, it will include additional value added enhancements. SkyMobile will deliver the mobility platform around which Water Corporation can deliver their current and future mobility needs” commented Troy O’Connor, CEO, Sky Technologies.

“The Water Corp sought to replace their existing bespoke application with a single mobile computing platform, which will give the organization the ability to mobilize other parts of their business. The software is designed to allow Water Corp to develop and deploy their own mobile solutions in the future,” he added.

STC’s appointment as the WA Water Corporation’s specialist mobility partner is in line with the recognition by leading Asia Pacific corporations that Sky Technologies Consulting has the required in-depth understanding in the deployment of mobility solutions across the SAP landscape.

“Sky Technologies have been delivering mobility and integration solutions to the SAP market since 1998 and has the experience and understanding of the complexities involved in extending SAP business processes into the field” added Gary McHugh, GM, Sky Technologies Consulting.

Sky Technologies Consulting will align to the strong partnership model that WA Water Corporation has built with other strategic vendors such as CSC Australia Pty Ltd and SAP to ensure the successful deployment of this solution.

About Sky Technologies Consulting:
Sky Technologies Consulting is the sole distributor of Sky Technologies software products for Australia and New Zealand and continues to deliver the high quality, value added client services that have become synonymous with Sky projects.

About WA Water Corporation:
WA Water Corporation provides world-class water and wastewater services to thousands of households, businesses and farms in towns and communities spread over 2.5 million square kilometers. They also maintain drainage and irrigation services for both residential and commercial properties.

While Water Corporation aim to best meet their customers’ needs for now, they are also managing their assets and planning for Western Australia’s water future. Their Security through Diversity approach to future water needs involves building and managing a portfolio of water supply and demand programs while balancing environmental, social and economic outcomes.

More information at www.skytechconsulting.com.au

Infor MyDay Helps Users Conquer Their Working Day

Persona-based User Interface Helps Improve Productivity, Focus Workers on Actionable Tasks that Create Value

LAS VEGAS (Inforum) - Oct 15, 2008 - Infor today announced Infor MyDay, a dynamic Web 2.0 user interface for Infor applications that provides central access to the critical information users need to excel in their daily work. Based on in-depth research into the roles and working life of real users, Infor MyDay presents content from Infor applications in personalized format, allowing users to easily drill-down to transactional systems and make sound decisions that create value for the organization. Infor MyDay will be available for select Infor solutions in early 2009, at no additional charge to active maintenance customers, with additional solution support to be announced throughout 2009.

People spend much of their day interacting with business applications, searching for relevant information, and consolidating data manually so they can make informed business decisions and provide answers to colleagues and customers. Infor MyDay reduces the time required to find the information they need, directing users to focus on the most important tasks that add value to their organizations. It presents current information from virtually any data source into a tailored web page, complete with reports and key performance indicators (KPIs) based on their roles. Users can personalize Infor MyDay to their individual requirements, such as creating chart views to represent data, and drill into the original data source or application to process transactions.

“One of the universal problems facing business software users is the deluge of data coming from all directions. This means they spend more time searching for the right information, and less time actually acting on that information to create value,” said Bruce Gordon, chief technology officer, Infor. “Infor MyDay is a completely new approach in business software, which we developed from the ground up. It makes information actionable - and that’s the reason people use business software in the first place.”

Infor MyDay is in limited availability and deployed at an initial number of customers in the discrete and process manufacturing industries, on the Infor ERP Adage, Infor ERP LN, Infor ERP SyteLine, and Infor ERP VISUAL solutions. The interface is pre-integrated into Infor applications through Infor Open SOA, which reduces implementation times and also provides a standards-based approach for integration of non-Infor systems and data sources.

AddisonMckee, an Ohio-based manufacturer of tube-bending and endforming technologies for the automotive, aviation, truck, and shipbuilding industries, is one of the initial customers on the limited availability release. An Infor ERP SyteLine customer, AddisonMckee has won awards for a lean manufacturing program that helped transform its operations in terms of overall efficiency and customer service.

“Infor MyDay is exciting because it extends the process improvements of our lean manufacturing program, automating the manual gathering and distribution of information,” said Matt Haines, global IT manager, AddisonMckee. “For example, MyDay removes the need for running several tooling reports in the morning and then updating a whiteboard in the engineering department. The production manager and associates obtain just the information they need on their screen in real-time without manual intervention. Each person understands the progression of work, in a way that is personalized to their specific job, whether they are in the board room, the shop floor, sales, or shipping.”

“This is a time and cost saver from an IT perspective too, because we don’t have to build customized reports for each user and they can personalize their own views without support from the IT department,” said Haines.

Personas
Software vendors often tout role-based capabilities in their user interfaces, but Infor MyDay goes to the next level by taking a multi-dimensional approach to understanding the user’s persona. Based on thousands of hours of research and interviews with end-users, Infor has created over 150 composite personas that encompass a person’s responsibilities, daily tasks, skills, work environment, management hierarchy, and goals and challenges.  Based on this understanding of the user persona, Infor has pre-built reports and metrics specific to each position. Sixteen personas are currently available, covering areas such as sales, finance, production, purchasing, and logistics. For more detailed information on personas, visit http://blogs.infor.com/technology .

Infor Open SOA
Infor MyDay is built on modern technologies, with Ajax and other standards-based development tools. It utilizes Infor Open SOA, an event-driven service-oriented architecture (SOA) framework that leverages an industry standard business language to distribute data between Infor solutions and other systems. Infor is a board member of the Open Applications Group (OAGi), a standards-making body comprised of software vendors and industry groups, and uses the OAGIS Standard as the business language for interoperability.

About Infor
Infor acquires and develops functionally rich software backed by thousands of domain experts and then makes it better through continuous innovation, faster implementation options, global enablement, and flexible buying options.  In a few short years, Infor has become one of the largest providers of business software in the world.  For additional information, visit http://www.infor.com .

NOAA Engages VISTA to Automate and Streamline Facilities Asset Planning and Management

VISTA Technology Services, Inc. (VISTA) will provide ARCHIBUS Planning and Implementation Services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The implementation of an enterprise automated facility management system solution (also referred to as Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system) will support real property facilities management functions for three NOAA regional centers.

Herndon, VA (PRWEB) October 17, 2008—VISTA Technology Services, Inc. (VISTA), a recognized leader in facility management and computer-aided decision support systems, announced today that it will provide ARCHIBUS Planning and Implementation Services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“VISTA has a wide range of experience in real property transformation activities for civilian and military federal agencies,” commented VISTA President and CEO David Baxa. “We understand that facility management requires both excellent tools and proven processes. VISTA’s solution provides NOAA with both.”

The implementation of an enterprise automated facility management system solution (also referred to as Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system) will support real property facilities management functions for three NOAA regional centers. NOAA selected ARCHIBUS as the preferred solution based on its usability, performance and overall ability to meet the agency’s functional requirements.

“VISTA’s strategic partnership with ARCHIBUS provides NOAA a ‘best in class’ solution for implementing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS),” explained David Baker, VISTA’s National Director for Asset Management Solutions. “VISTA’s experience with computerized maintenance and facilities management tools, data analysis, and work prioritization and management processes, allows us to recommend best value strategies, business processes, and options to improve annual savings and costs.”

As an ARCHIBUS AAS Partner, VISTA regularly participates with ARCHIBUS personnel in fielding their technology. In addition, VISTA is an ARCHIBUS Geospatial Partner and one of the few companies that have direct experience with BIM/REVIT and ARCHIBUS integration. VISTA has implemented ARCHIBUS in locations across the United States for other government agencies.

The VISTA-ARCHIBUS model gives clients the ability to optimize their utilization of facilities and real property through Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle. This is typically done with three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building design and construction.

“We have direct experience using BIM technology,” Baker said. “However, our BIM participation goes beyond software tools. We participate in industry events such as BIMStorm to help make BIM a living industry standard.”

BIMstorm™ is a formal collaboration of facility planners, architects and builders to promote information integrity for the built environment. VISTA was a sponsor and active participant for the recent BIMstorm™ Alexandria, Federal Friendly Zones™ event.

“Our experience in deploying and supporting computerized maintenance and management solutions will provide NOAA with a cost-effective maintenance management tool,” explained Baxa, “While, at the same time, benefiting from VISTA’s thought leadership in best practices and industry standards.”

Work will be conducted in three phases: Solution Design and Planning; Implementation; and Technical Support Services. The contract has a performance period of one year, with four consecutive option years.

About VISTA:
VISTA is a leader in decision support analytics for government and business.

Government executives use VISTA for information technology, management consulting, decision support systems and services. Our focus on real property helps our clients gain the greatest value from money they spend on buildings, land and infrastructure.

VISTA’s services and solutions help collect and analyze massive volumes of data. The result is high quality financial performance information that makes it easier to plan and implement effective policy, management, resource stewardship, and budget choices.

In short - VISTA builds better decision support. We help customers evolve best practices, consistent reporting and performance measures, all related to the best use of assets while managing costs.

For more than 20 years, VISTA’s solutions have helped government run better - cutting costs, eliminating waste and improving performance. To learn more, visit www.vistatsi.com

IFS grows footprint in Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. & ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IFS, the global enterprise application company, has announced that Lockheed Martin has decided to extend the use of IFS Applications in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS).

IFS Applications is currently deployed in ALIS for supply chain management. Lockheed Martin has now also selected IFS Applications as the foundation for ALIS maintenance management capability. The expanded IFS Applications footprint is expected to be contractually awarded and rolled out in support of the third Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, which is planned to be fielded in 2010. 

ALIS is a seamless, embedded solution that integrates aircraft performance, operational parameters, aircraft configuration, scheduled upgrades and maintenance, component history, diagnostics, prognostics, health management, and service support for the F-35 aircraft. Essentially, condition reporting of aircraft wellness is automatically reported in-flight, so crews on the ground can rapidly marshal appropriate maintenance and repair efforts.

In July of this year, Lockheed Martin signed a contract to use IFS Applications to provide the core software for the JAMES Land (Joint Asset Management Engineering Solution) project for the UK Ministry of Defence. This expanded IFS’ role in the JAMES 1 Project by adding IFS Applications components for engineering, asset data collection and analysis as well as workshop management for the modification of assets.

“As IFS grows its relationship with important aerospace and defense companies like Lockheed Martin, and as we become the go-to maintenance and enterprise asset management solution for government programs like the US Air Force Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS), we solidify our position as a leader in the aerospace and defense industry,” IFS North America President Cindy Jaudon said. “We have built this position through developing specialized industry solutions, specifically in the area of maintenance and logistics, and through close alliances with well-respected partners like Lockheed Martin. We look forward to deepening these existing relationships and working with suppliers to major aerospace and defense OEMs as they equip themselves for success in today’s demanding environment.”

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter that combines stealth with supersonic speed. It is designed to replace current-generation fighters for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and at least eight allied nations.

Aerospace & Defense is a targeted industry vertical for IFS. IFS’ global capability is led by a dedicated business, IFS Defence Ltd., helping its customers and partners to meet the future challenges of transformation through a low-risk, low total ownership cost, step-by-step capability evolution. IFS Applications’ strength in enterprise asset management (EAM), maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) and defense manufacturing is complemented by its fully integrated project tracking and product data management (PDM) capabilities. IFS Applications is a best-practice solution for fleet management, MRO and supply chain management in A&D.

IFS customers within the Aerospace and Defense industry include the British, Norwegian, and US defense organizations as well as the Eurofighter consortium. Commercial MRO shops and operators include Finnair, Bristow Helicopters, Aero-Dienst GmbH, Hawker Pacific, and Jet Turbine Services. In addition, IFS provides solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Lockheed Martin General Dynamics, BAE Systems, Saab, and GE Transportation. More details can be found at www.ifsdefence.com

Advoco Dedicates a Service Arm to Concentrate on Enterprise Asset Management

Advoco Technology Integrates Applications & Delivers Measurable Business Results

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Advoco, a leading consulting services company, announced today that it has formed a dedicated consulting practice with an initial focus on Enterprise Asset Management (EAM). This service group will operate as Advoco Technology and combines deep-subject experience and leadership to help organizations identify, implement, and integrate IT solutions.

With a combined 50+ years of industry experience, Advoco Technology’s deep-subject expertise and leadership includes broad knowledge of technical project management, complex system design implementation and integration, and the mobilization of complex business processes. By ensuring that steps and specifications are tightly coordinated and monitored, Advoco Technology achieves the desired outcome and does not inadvertently waste time, effort, or expensive resources.

“Driving value out of your IT solution is more than installing software,” says Marty Osborn, Advoco’s VP of technology practice. Companies continue to be challenged to do business quicker, faster, and cheaper with their IT deployments. “At Advoco, we know your technology challenges. We know your needs. And we know how to adapt IT to your operating processes to make your organization more successful.”

For additional information on Advoco Technology, call (415) 503-4380 or visit www.advocoinc.com

About Advoco

Advoco is a leading management and consulting services company headquartered in San Francisco, CA with offices in Greenville, SC and London, England. By optimizing business performance through an improved application of IT, Advoco forms a trusted partnership and continues to meet the complex needs of leading organizations. Advoco clients include Fortune 1000 accounts and leading private and public organizations based around the world. In Latin, advoco means “to call in an advisor.” For Advoco customers, it simply means business. It’s a promise that’s been delivered since 2001.

For more information about Advoco, call (415) 503-4380 or visit www.advocoinc.com

AssetPoint Announces TabWare Xi - The latest in Broswer-Based EAM/CMMS Software

Greenville, SC – October 2, 2008 – AssetPoint (www.assetpoint.com), a leading provider of Maintenance Management software and industry best practices consulting, today announced their latest product, TabWare Xi, which employs the latest Internet technology in an integrated Enterprise Asset Management solution

Eric Miles, AssetPoint’s CEO said, “TabWare Xi is based on the latest .NET technology from Microsoft Corporation and provides the same rich user experience as our client/server product with the same user interface and easy to use functionality. Clients now have several options for TabWare deployment to meet their maintenance, inventory and procurement needs while satisfying their I.T. requirements.”

“This is another step in the evolution of TabWare which puts it at the forefront of EAM/CMMS products,” stated Miles.  “Our aggressive product plans and our high quality software development staff will continually improve our products for the changing needs of the market. We expect TabWare Xi to begin shipping to clients in December, 2008.”

About AssetPoint:

Established in 2002 as a spin-off from a major engineering, construction and maintenance corporation, AssetPoint has a legacy of over 25 years in delivering integrated enterprise asset management / Computerized Maintenance Management (EAM/CMMS) software and services that improve profitability and productivity for the process, manufacturing and facilities industries. The scalable software solution is delivered as an onsite option or as a fully secure, web-based solution.  For more information see http://www.assetpoint.com

Secret Sauce to commercialise enterprise asset management solution

Secret Sauce IP Ventures today announced that it has been granted rights to commercialise a web-based software application that delivers enhanced cost optimisation and life-cycle management for large capital intensive industries such as utilities.

The LCP Optimiser aims to bridge the gap between major financial accounting packages (e.g. SAP) and Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) applications such as IBM’s Maximo, and more closely aligns the allocation of funds to business priorities and objectives.

The LCP Optimiser software was developed by leading consultants to the US energy utilities, in conjunction with Genix Ventures, the providers of an innovative Business Process Management platform that underpins the LCP Optimiser.

Secret Sauce IP Ventures will commercialise the software in Australian and international markets, and will identify suitable distribution partners in those markets.

PRIMAVERA INSPIRE BECOMES AN SAP-ENDORSED BUSINESS SOLUTION

PHILADELPHIA, PA – September 10, 2008 – Primavera Systems, Inc., today announced that its Primavera Inspire product is now an SAP-endorsed business solution. Solutions endorsed by SAP AG are complementary to SAP software offerings, are developed in accordance with SAP development guidelines, and provide additional choices and flexibility for businesses running SAP applications.

Through Primavera’s integration module, Primavera Inspire, executives and project managers of large capital projects and maintenance operations can align resource, schedule and financial information between SAP’s project management and plant maintenance solutions and the Primavera P6 product. This ability provides executives with a deep understanding of both past and expected project performance and enables users to make decisions with confidence that the data used is aligned within both systems. Primavera P6 enables project-driven organizations to make accurate business forecasts with complete visibility into key project milestones, deadlines and resources.

“SAP’s endorsement of Primavera Inspire gives organizations a best-of-breed project and resource management solution that builds on the efficiencies and business insight that they have already gained from their SAP project management and plant maintenance solutions,” said Dean Edmundson, AVP Technology Alliances & Business Development at Primavera. “Customers will be better able to deliver tangible results back to the business.”
Customers who use Primavera products together with SAP solutions will benefit from the following:

• Accurate and timely forecasting of costs, schedules and resources to completion;
• Enterprise-wide project transparency; and
• Consistent on-time, on-budget project delivery.

As part of the endorsed business solution agreement between Primavera and SAP, both companies will share technology and product roadmaps, as well as market Primavera Inspire. The solution now endorsed by SAP previously achieved “Powered by SAP NetWeaver” status.

“By endorsing solutions such as Primavera Inspire, SAP is building an ecosystem to drive the adoption of service-oriented architecture while extending its core offerings,” said Rich DiMeo, business development director, SAP for Engineering, Construction and Operations, Industry Solutions.  Primavera Inspire provides project-intensive companies consistent information across SAP’s project management and plant maintenance solutions, and Primavera’s project scheduling solution.  Leveraging market-leading solutions from both SAP and Primavera enables customers to improve employee productivity and accelerate the delivery of on-time and on-budget projects.”

About Primavera
Primavera is a software company that provides business solutions for a project-driven world. The company helps organizations identify which projects are most important, and makes it easy for people to work collaboratively on those projects to deliver them successfully. Primavera solutions are industry-specific and highly scalable, with the power to support global enterprises. Projects collectively worth more than $6 trillion have been completed using Primavera. For more information, visit www.primavera.com

Custom Maintenance Reports Serve as Tool for Performance Improvement at Saint-Gobain Containers

Houston, TX - - August 26, 2008 - - Global PTM, provider of Maintenance Operational Improvement (MOI) solutions, recently delivered several custom maintenance reports for Saint-Gobain Containers to use with their maintenance software system (Infor EAM).  The new reports enable Saint-Gobain management to have comprehensive views of maintenance performance related to job and resource scheduling, equipment history, work orders and down time.  Global PTM designed the reports to reside as a menu item within the web-based maintenance software system giving users easy access to reports specific to their area and departmental activity. 

Important to the various departments are custom developed cost center reports that reflect work execution related to labor, materials and equipment as well as budget variance analysis.  Information in the cost center reports is evaluated to help determine where improvement opportunities exist for asset reliability performance.  Details of activity show work order history, classifications of equipment where work was performed and date ranges of completed work.  Operations and maintenance department coordinators use the reports daily to set priorities based on staffing availability, required materials and production schedules. 

“As we incurred upgrades to our maintenance system, the need for advanced reports beyond our standard report writer became obvious,” says Dave Mounts, Asset Reliability Model Support Specialist, Saint-Gobain Containers.  “We turned to Global PTM because of their expertise in advanced report writing development and their familiarity with the Infor EAM system.  Global PTM demonstrated a wealth of custom report knowledge and they delivered exactly what we needed.  Their flexibility and ability to adapt to our needs was key to a successful project.  With these reports, we now have actionable information immediately available and have improved our reporting efficiencies over our previous methods.”

Global PTM continues to provide Saint-Gobain Containers with custom report development services as well as adjusting existing reports to meet the dynamic needs of Saint-Gobain’s overall maintenance operations. 

About Global PTM

Headquartered in Houston, Texas with strategically located world-wide offices, Global PTM delivers Maintenance Operational Improvement (MOI) solutions centered on People, Technology and Methods designed to enhance project return on investment.  Global PTM’s

proprietary best practices methodology, the Solution Delivery Process (SDP), serves as the core process with essential project steps purposed to achieve sustainable results for clients such as cost reductions, labor efficiencies and MRO inventory optimization.  For more information, visit www.GlobalPTM.com

Signum Group Joins the Ranks of Inc. Magazine's Fastest Growing Private Companies

ATLANTA, Aug 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/—Signum Group, LLC, (Signum) a leading enterprise asset management systems integration and asset reliability services company, announced today that Inc. Magazine has named it one of the fastest growing private companies in America with its three-year revenue growth of 141.3%.

A woman-based enterprise, Signum has expanded since its founding in 1994 to become the leading enterprise asset management (EAM) systems integration and asset reliability services company. Through an approach that leverages industry-leading veteran consultants with the proprietary SignumWay(TM) suite of implementation tools, Signum helps clients achieve competitive advantage from their asset management systems and strategies.

Signum CEO Sue Hrib remarked, “Signum is honored to be recognized by Inc. Magazine. Teamwork and a client-focused approach are key factors in our success, and our seasoned consultants partner with clients to tailor each project to meet specific needs and help maximize clients’ return on enterprise assets.”

Signum, an Oracle certified partner, has successfully delivered over 130 live sites of Oracle eAM across a wide range of asset-intensive industries. In 2007, Signum expanded its staff over 100% and made significant developments in key areas to meet the needs of customers, including reliability consulting services, government programs, and full Oracle E-Business system deployments for the largest customers.

“Our growth and reputation are built on our unwavering commitment to delivering proven value and dedicated service to our customers,” concluded Signum Group COO Carl Albano. “We will continue that commitment as we expand our potential in key growth areas and further strengthen our position in the marketplace.”

About The Signum Group, LLC
Founded in 1994, Signum Group is the leading enterprise asset management (EAM) systems integration and asset reliability services company. Signum’s team of senior asset management consultants has delivered over 130 live sites of Oracle eAM across a wide range of maintenance-intensive industries.
Signum ensures on time and on budget delivery by leveraging Signum Way(TM), a suite of proprietary implementation, data management, and training toolkits that combines the benefits of streamlined software implementation with a business process management approach. For more information, visit www.signumgroup.com or call 770-514-8111.