By providing direct integration and homogenized processes among schematic, layout, material master, bill-of-materials (BOM), procurement, and manufacturing, an electronic product company can fully integrate the engineering process and systems directly with business and manufacturing systems. Measured benefits include up to 50% reduction in component overhead and 12X reduction in BOM generation cycle time. e-PLM was designed specifically to manage electronics products and each installation is a unique and fully customized solution.
Projects start with analysis of a company's business processes related to engineering, manufacturing, and product lifecycle. Problems and bottlenecks are identified and a fully documented process flow is delivered. Zuken then analyzes the information and helps customers develop an ideal business process that solves their unique problems and streamlines the business. Software solutions are then designed to fit the new process and Zuken combines packaged software, optimized for the electronics industry, with needs-specific customization and setup to fully support the new business process. Zuken then works with its customers to ensure successful implementation. By providing a fully integrated EDA / PLM solution, supplemented with direct integrations to ERP and supply chain environments, the electronics engineering environment no longer sits outside the information flow.
“What makes Zuken's e-PLM solution unique is that it was designed from the ground up to manage electronic products - it is not a one-size-fits-all PDM / PLM solution. Electronic products have unique requirements and processes and Zuken has the expertise and the software tools to address them”, commented Kent McLeroth, Vice President e-PLM Business Systems.
Although being promoted for the first time in the US at DAC, the e-PLM solution has been proven in over 100 implementations in Japan and Europe, and the benefits have been quantified in each case. Component standardization typically results in procurement cost savings. Design cycle times can be halved, with fewer prototypes needed, and cost reductions of 30% can result from a modular design approach. Simplification of databases can mean up to 80% less time searching for components, 35% reduction in administration and a 20% cut in the time and cost of checking components on the shop floor. These figures translate directly to the bottom line: a 25% reduction in time-to-market will typically increase profitability by 6% to 8%.
Commenting on their recent implementation, Pat Murray, Chief Information Officer, Philips Lighting Electronics, noted, "There were companies that alleged they were in the same space as Zuken, but when we did the research they didn't have the complete toolset that could tie our system together from end to end. This project has a complete payback of all costs within 24 months."
Zuken’s e-PLM solution is available now. Pricing varies depending upon customer requirements. For further information visit http://www.zuken.com/eplm/default.asp
For further information, text and graphics by email or to discuss feature article opportunities:
Amy Clements, Zuken USA Inc., 238 Littleton RD, STE 100, Westford, MA 01886
Tel: 972-691-3284
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Email Contact
Fax: 972-691-1304
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www.zuken.com
Ev Milker, Zuken Ltd., 1500 Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4RF, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1454 207800
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Email Contact
Fax: +44 (0)1454 207803
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About Zuken:
Established in 1976, Zuken has evolved into a provider of solutions that maximize the efficiency of the design and manufacturing processes of electronics companies around the world. Zuken holds a leading global share of the PCB/MCM/HIC software market in the field of electronic design automation (EDA). In addition to its longstanding experience as a provider of innovative solutions for PCB design, Zuken’s expanded portfolio encompasses proven solutions for the development of information technology (IT) infrastructures. Listed on Level 1 of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the company is headquartered in Japan and has development, sales and support centers in 10 countries including the US, Germany, UK and France. Zuken's customers include the world's top 30 electronics manufacturers from automotive to aerospace, communications to consumer electronics, and medical to military. For further information please see our website:
www.zuken.com.