CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
26 May 2009
Implementation Investments
Epson Deploys Product Data Management System to LCD Display Manufacturing Plant in China
Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson, Note 1), Epson Imaging Device Corporation (Epson Imaging, Note 2), promoter of small to mid sized LCD display operations, Suzhou Epson Co., Ltd. (Suzhou Epson, Note 3), a China based manufacturing partner of Epson Imaging, and NEC Corporation (NEC, Note 4) announced that Epson has deployed a new product data management system to Suzhou Epson with support from NEC. Epson Imaging and Suzhou Epson began operating the new system in March 2009 as part of Epson Imaging’s enhancement of production organization control in China.
The new system manages various engineering data, such as drawings and work process specifications, through well integrated and secure practices. Approximately 200 designers and engineers use the system in Japanese development sites and Chinese production sites. The new system employed NEC's PLM solution "Obbligato II" as the system’s platform, which implements secure data management together with improved user convenience in just two months development time.
The system is the first to adopt new data loss prevention technology (Note 5), which is based on access control without using encryption technologies. The new system also ensures secure data management, data loss prevention and protects the technological advantages of products in the market. Furthermore, by sharing engineering data and collaborating between sites, it also enables agile responses to customer needs and expeditious distribution of engineering data to production sites.
New system features are as follows:
I. Ensures the technological advantages of products through secure data management The system inhibits user operations including the copying of data to removable media, such as USB memory, creating e-mail attachments, and taking screenshots, which often lead to data leakage. The access control setting can be defined in various formats by user or object. Furthermore, when printing documents, the system requires a user’s name and a time-stamp to be printed as well. These secure data management functions prevent engineering data leakage and ensure the technological advantages of products in the market.
II. Conveniently access relevant data through a single source Previously, engineering data was communicated by using paper, e-mail and FAX, and each organization managed data separately. Under the new system, engineering data is managed by a single vault of Obbligato II, which allows users to access relevant data. Additionally, all engineering data changes are communicated correctly within the organization, such as between engineering and production divisions.
III. Short term system development using templates NEC holds a wide variety of PLM system development templates, which are based on advanced PLM system integration experience with approximately 500 customers in Japan, and contain a broad range of data models and parameters. Development of this system was quickly implemented in about two months through the application of templates and support from NEC in both Japan and China. Suzhou Epson is currently considering the implementation of a workflow system to improve operational efficiency through NEC Software Kyushu, Ltd.’s (Note 6) FlowLites workflow solution.
Epson will continue to develop highly valued products based on the company’s original technologies and supported with the assurance of the new data management system. NEC released the enhanced data loss prevention function of Obbligato II R9.1 in January 2009, focusing primarily on the Chinese market and aiming to continue strengthening its localization and support.
Looking forward, NEC will continue to support business competitiveness through the promotion of advanced management and effective use of product data, in addition to the provision of sophisticated PLM solutions.
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Note 1: President: Minoru Usui; HQ: Suwa, Nagano Pref.
Note 2: President: Shuzo Ariga; HQ: Tottori, Tottori Pref.
Note 3: President: Shigetoshi Yamada; HQ: Suzhou, China
Note 4: President: Kaoru Yano; HQ: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Note 5: Patent application previously submitted for the new method.
Note 6: President: Yoshikazu Koda; HQ: Fukuoka, Fukuoka Pref.
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of a diversified global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation.
The NEC Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. For additional information, please visit the NEC website at: http://www.nec.com.
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