CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
1 March 2005
Implementation Investments
Black & Decker Adopts Global Web-Based Data Management System from Avatech Solutions
Avatech Solutions, Inc. announced that Black & Decker has adopted a customized Web-based enterprise data management solution that will work with the company's CATIA CAD design software at its global sites. The system enables Black & Decker to share critical design data across multiple system platforms and various user skill levels with suppliers worldwide. As a result of this automation, Black & Decker has made improvements in new product development lead times by providing instant desktop access to information, in the proper formats required, rather than having to wait for mailed or couriered delivered packages.
Black & Decker's global design and engineering team is hard at work developing the next great power tool or home improvement innovation to be used by millions of people every day. Manufacturing plants and contracted suppliers are spread across the globe in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South and Latin America, presenting major logistical and system compatibility issues. When homegrown scripts and an ASP were no longer able to meet growing needs, Black & Decker turned to long-time partner Avatech for a web-based solution that would allow bi-directional transfer of data between internal staff and outside suppliers that bid on manufacturing projects, regardless of the CAD software or platform they are using. Avatech's customized software solution has been integrated with the company's UNIX and Windows-based CATIA V4 and V5 CAD design software. The web application has also been adopted by other departments in Black & Decker, including Field Service, Industrial Design and Graphics/Packaging-any department that needs to securely exchange large files.
Commented Jim Day, Global Systems Administrator at Black & Decker, "The Envoy Product has proved to be the solution we were looking for-acquiring a higher level of data access and sharing across multiple platforms and countries. Now anyone with a web browser can exchange design specs and have it translated into the exact format required by the person on the other end, while maintaining data integrity. This rapid, global exchange of information is part of the process that enables us to get to market much faster than before."
"Black & Decker's success is an example of the rapid return on investment that can be achieved when manufacturers streamline and optimize processes throughout the supply chain," said Scotty Walsh, CEO at Avatech Solutions. "The consistent, standards-based, methodology for the handling of data translation, manipulation and delivery gives Black & Decker a competitive edge, which helps it to continue to be one of the most recognized household names in the marketplace."
The custom solution Avatech designed for Black & Decker is based on the SCS EnvoyT technology, a powerful Web-based enterprise application for managing the delivery of project data rapidly throughout the supply chain. The system works with virtually any utility to automate the translation, processing, and the rapid, tracked delivery of valuable data involved in engineering collaboration and supply chain transactions. This server-based solution results in faster product time to market, faster collaboration and decision-making abilities for all participants in the project, as well as tracked delivery of the right data at the right time to the right people. The solution automates a variety of traditionally manual processes and makes them invisible and automatic to the end users.
Black & Decker is a global manufacturer and marketer of quality power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology-based fastening systems. The company's products and services are marketed in more than 100 countries, with manufacturing operations in eleven countries. Visit http://www.bdk.com/ for more information.
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