Software Solution To Address Entire Product Life-Cycle Process

Compiled ByDave Schafer Manugistics Group Inc., a provider of Enterprise Profit Optimization solutions, will integrate and resell Centric Software Inc.'s Centric Innovation application with its NetWORKS multi-enterprise solutions. The goal, Manugistics says, is to offer manufacturers a comprehensive Internet-based solution to address the entire product life-cycle process. "The Centric Software-Manugistics alliance creates a unique synergy between a company's product concept and design -- where 80% of a product's life cycle costs are determined -- and its supplier base, helping to speed product innovation and delivery," says Lori Mitchell-Keller, senior vice president of technology strategy, Manugistics, Rockville, Md. Centric Innovation, a collaborative product innovation application, enables manufacturers to reach beyond the enterprise during concept and design phases to define, synthesize, and validate product concepts and designs and create a strategic product development solution, Manugistics says. NetWORKS offerings include strategic outsourcing capabilities to help a manufacturer identify the optimal vendor while streamlining the purchasing process. The benefits of the combined solution for manufacturers includes reduced manufacturing design cycle times, lowered operating costs, and reduced obsolete inventories, Manugistics says.