TRW Automotive Goes Live on Niku 6; Over 2000 in First User Group

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--Jan. 23, 2003--Niku Corporation announced today that the Braking and Steering divisions of TRW Automotive have gone live on Niku 6, connecting more than 2000 users in nine countries on three continents.
    "Our first goal was to get everyone successfully migrated from Niku 5.2 to Niku 6," said Dale Stockman, senior manager of engineering project management (EPM) in the TRW Automotive Braking Group. "We launched in mid-December in Braking North America and will complete the rollout in Steering and Europe by the end of January 2003--making sure everybody can still do time-booking and project/resource management before we do anything else.
    "In going from a client-server to a fully Web-based environment," Stockman continued, "we are also introducing a number of new capabilities. Team members can now collaborate on projects within the application, and we will implement capacity planning and project forecasting/budgeting in 2003 using standardized, global processes. In addition, the integrated reporting capabilities will allow managers to generate reports and perform customized local analysis of report-query results using familiar methods--they'll no longer need training in database query/report design to do this.
    "Our primary goal is to improve our ability to flow the right projects and project deliverables on time," he said. "To do this, we will have to advance our project-management maturity from its current level to a more advanced one. By moving to Niku 6, we took the question of whether or not we have the right tool to support this advance--and whether or not users will accept and use it--off the table. Our focus can now turn to improving our project-management practices, with confidence that our Niku 6 toolset will fully enable the improvement process."
    "We are pleased that TRW Automotive was able to go live on Niku 6 so soon after deciding to upgrade," said Jules Ehrlich, Niku's vice president of professional services. "As with most companies, TRW's project and portfolio management capabilities have evolved in a unique company-specific way. It took a well-planned effort by their EPM group to achieve their timing objectives. By never losing sight of their overall goal, they were able to accomplish a rapid and successful implementation."

    About Niku

    Niku Corporation develops enterprise application software that automates knowledge work in companies by integrating portfolio, project, resource, financial, collaboration, and knowledge management in one Web-native application. For more information contact info@niku.com, call 877-846-6458 (NIKU), or visit www.niku.com.

    About TRW Automotive

    TRW Automotive is a leader in active and passive safety systems for the global automotive industry. Products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems, electronics, engine valves, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts. TRW Inc. provides advanced technology products and services to the automotive, aerospace and information technology markets. The company's 2001 sales were $16.4 billion (USD). TRW news is available on the Internet at http://www.trw.com.