IQS Announces e-APQP OEM View and B2B XML Prototypes

IQS LOGO
IQS, Inc. (PRNewsFoto)[TC]
CLEVELAND, OH USA 08/28/2001
            Lean Manufacturing begins with Lean Program Management

    CLEVELAND, Aug. 28 IQS, Inc. (http://www.iqs.com ), a leading
provider of advanced QS-9000 collaborative e-business software solutions,
announced at the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Auto-Tech Show in
Detroit, that it is working with automotive OEMs (Original Equipment
Manufacturers) in the development of an e-APQP OEM View for managing new
program launches and the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010828/DETU003LOGO )
    The application of APQP in a B2B environment is in support of what IQS
refers to as the "Emerging Design Chain."  The current collaboration tools for
Product Development fall short in communicating the specific APQP information
along the supply chain.  IQS' vision for the industry is a 3-part model:
    (1) The OEM View - paid for and used by the OEMS
    (2) Document authoring tools - to actually create the APQP documents and
assignments, and actually execute the APQP process (paid for and used by the
Supply Chain);
    (3) The B2B XML transfer from the Document Authoring Execution tools to
the OEM view (this is a significant elimination of waste compared to re-
entering information into every OEM home page by hand - and would be paid for
by the supply chain).

    "APQP is a critical business process and is a perfect situation to apply
the concepts of lean manufacturing.  APQP must enter the world of e-business
with B2B transfer of APQP data, dates, and communication records.  This is
much more than just the emailing of files or sharing a chat room.  A truly
integrated B2B APQP process is a key to long-term competitiveness in the
automotive industry," explained John Cachat, IQS President and Founder.  "The
OEM View is a little misleading because it is really a Buyers View and can be
applied to major Tier 1 companies as well.  The B2B prototypes include two
applications: (1) IQS Smart Forms(TM) to the OEM View and (2) IQS Smart
Forms(TM) to the IQS Business System(TM), a global enterprise wide quality
management system installed in major automotive companies since 1995."
    Cachat stated, "Our automotive e-business initiative allows engineering
and quality professionals to collaborate across the supply chain to accelerate
product development and time-to-market.  IQS and IBM provides global e-
business technical resources and support."

    About IQS
    IQS, Inc., located in Cleveland, OH, is an international pioneer in web
based integrated quality management software.  The most recent offering is IQS
Smart Forms, the e-APQP application on IBM Places.  IQS also offers The IQS
Business System and IQSASP.com , the proprietary business model for
integrating quality information systems that complement investments in ERP
systems.  IQS' solutions are flexible, user-friendly systems that have
empowered customers to become more profitable and competitive.  IQS supports
several critical business processes, including QS-9000, ISO 9000, AS 9000, TE
9000, ISO 14001, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Supply Chain
Effectiveness.

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