CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
18 January 2005
Product News
Formation Systems Launches Expanded PLM Solution to Transform the Product Development Process
Formation Systems launched Optiva V, the only process PLM software available on the market that completely integrates the product development process, from concept to launch, for the whole product-package, formula and label. With the significant enhancements to the product footprint and technology in this new release, Formation Systems now delivers the most comprehensive, integrated and flexible product development solution for process manufacturers.
Optiva V's functionality fully enables process manufacturers to accelerate product introduction to world markets, lower development costs and enhance product innovation and quality. Enhancements to the functionality for formula, label and packaging design and management make these processes fully integrated, allowing companies to develop the "whole product" as an integrated and dynamic process. In addition, Optiva V boasts a new, service-oriented architecture (SOA) that enables companies to deploy tight, two-way integration of product development and the supply chain based on Web services. Additionally, Optiva V's SOA integrates the tools users use today to do their jobs, such as Microsoft Excel, and Project, with the enterprise PLM system, Optiva. The ability to provide the right interface for each user is necessary in order to integrate all the participants in a typical product development process, from concept to launch. Optiva V's unique capabilities for coordinating the development of the whole product across the whole development process and its bidirectional integration with supply chain systems enables companies to minimize their time-to-market, optimize their product costs and cut the risk of quality and regulatory compliance issues.
"With Optiva, our company is able to approve a product formula in as little as a week, sometimes less, which means that products get launched faster. Prior to using the software, it could take a month to get sign-off," said Kelly Reimann, North American commercialization manager for JohnsonDiversey, Inc. "Having our formulas and ingredient information in Optiva's central repository allows JohnsonDiversey to access data fast, share it with others and leverage what has already been done to increase our productivity."
A Webcast on Optiva V will be held on Jan. 27, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. EST. More information, including registration instructions, will be posted shortly on http://www.formationsystems.com/webinars/ .
With the latest release of Optiva, Formation Systems builds on a proven solution in use by over 10,000 users in over 40 countries. With its ability to manage packaging, formulas and labels from concept to launch, Optiva V is the only solution available that enables process manufacturers to manage the entire development process for the entire product. Optiva V enables food and beverage, home care, personal care and specialty chemical companies to bring new products to market more quickly while improving product margins and reducing the risks associated with new product introduction.
Optiva V Key Features/Benefits
• Expanded Formula, Labeling and Package Management Roles-Optiva V integrates the development of the formulas, labeling and packaging associated with a complete product.
• Service-Oriented Architecture-Optiva V draws upon a service-oriented architecture that allows users great flexibility in choosing and operating in the interface of their choice, including Web interfaces and interfaces based on standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Bi-directional integration to the Global Supply Chain-Optiva V's architecture enables companies to more seamlessly integrate product development with the global supply chain. This integration allows issues such as sourcing, plant equipment requirements, first run quality and even local tariff rates to be addressed early in the development process, allowing companies to design for the supply chain.
"For process manufacturers battling against increases in global regulations and a rapidly changing consumer demand cycle, the ability to develop products faster, cheaper and better is the key to success," said Rory Granros, vice president of product management for Formation Systems. "With Optiva, our customers have been able to reduce product launch times by as much as 50 percent, reduce costs significantly early on in their design process and develop products that are easier to manufacture. With Optiva V, companies will realize even greater benefits when they integrate their complete development process for the complete product with their global supply chain."
Pricing and Availability
Optiva V is available now. For more information on pricing, please contact Formation Systems at (508) 303-6200.
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