San Jose, CA February 5, 2003 Agile Software this week released the latest version of its Product Cost Management application, a direct materials sourcing solution intended to provide cost management visibility across multi-tiered supply chains.
Agile, which offers various product lifecycle management (PLM) software, said that version 8.5 of its Product Cost Management application is the only such solution to integrate to the product record, making it unique among direct materials sourcing solutions.
The provider said that this integration of direct materials sourcing functionality and the product record enables Agile customers to gain early visibility into new designs, integrate sourcing processes with design operations and leverage the product record throughout the product lifecycle. Multi-tier supplier cost management provides customers with the ability to expose risks and better manage costs within their extended supplier network, Agile said.
"Customers who have Agile Product Collaboration and have expanded to Agile Product Cost Management realize better visibility into direct materials sourcing and cost management by leveraging the product record throughout the product lifecycle," said Chris Wong, executive vice president of products and technology at Agile.
Wong asserted that in today's complex environment, effectively managing the product record is imperative for enterprise success. "OEM companies that outsource are able to co-source and better leverage their network of suppliers and partners for lowered overall product costs," Wong said. "Contract manufacturers can provide differentiated service within a highly competitive market by responding more quickly to customers."
Agile customers already using Product Cost Management 8.5 include Lucent Technologies, International Paper, Manufacturers' Services Limited and Metaldyne Corp.
John Boucher, vice president of supply chain at Manufacturers' Services Limited (MSL), an electronics manufacturing services company, said the Agile solution furthers the company's efforts to break down barriers between the MSL and its supply chain, helping the company to achieve lower direct materials costs and improved customer satisfaction. "In particular, the improvement to the supplier interface enables us to continue to expand the use of the solution to a greater number of our suppliers with a very minimum investment in training," Boucher said.
