New York and Palo Alto, CA December 3, 2001 PwC Consulting, a business of PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Hewlett-Packard Company announced a global alliance to deliver collaborative value chain solutions to their joint clients in the manufacturing sector. The relationship combines PwC Consulting's manufacturing solution delivery and HP's technologies with strong complementary service capabilities from both companies.
The first of these proposed solutions - known as the Rapid Supply Chain Collaboration Hub - combines HP's hardware products and services capabilities for an Internet infrastructure with the consulting and systems integration abilities of PwC Consulting. The software component of the solution will stem from existing relationships that both organizations have with leading supply chain software providers, all based on what software works best for the client. For example, HP recently selected i2 as the software partner for HP's internal implementation of its private marketplace.
The Rapid Supply Chain Collaboration Hub aims to improve efficiency between manufacturing companies, their suppliers and contract manufacturers by reducing inventory, improving flexibility and increasing supply chain transparency via Internet-enabled functionality. The Rapid Supply Chain Collaboration Hub will target clients in the aerospace, automotive, high-tech, and consumer packaged goods sectors, helping them achieve more efficient procurement of direct materials, visibility and management of supplier-managed inventory, and usage of external electronic markets.
"The battlefield for operational improvement is changing from inside the four walls of the enterprise to outside of those walls increasing collaboration between supply chain partners," said Peggy Vaughan, Americas leader, Supply Chain and Operational Solutions, PwC Consulting.
"Global companies are looking to take demonstrative steps toward transforming their supply chains to a more collaborative model and are looking to invest in a clear competitive advantage when the economy turns. This alliance with HP will enable us to help our clients make this transformation faster and achieve the benefits of collaboration sooner."
The collaborative value chain alliance between PwC Consulting and HP is a key element of HP's Partner Enablement Program for manufacturing customers. The program aims to drive the faster connection, management and collaboration of key partners in an e-business framework.
"Through its Partner Enablement Program, HP has the unique ability to leverage its manufacturing expertise to help customers transform their own supply chains," said Airton Gimenes, vice president of sales, HP Business Customer Organization. "Through the implementation and integration of the Rapid Supply Chain Collaboration Hub solution here at HP, we have transformed the HP product distribution and packaging process, saving our company approximately $35 million in 2000."
