Realization's Next Generation Project Management Software to Power Michigan Custom Machines' Growth

Concerto Critical Chain Project Management Software Adapts to Project Uncertainties

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., July 31 -- Realization Technologies today announced that Michigan Custom Machines (Farmington, Mich.), a turnkey designer and builder of custom production test equipment for the automotive industry, has deployed Realization's Concerto multi-project management software. As a fast growing engineer-to-order company, Michigan Custom Machines must manage the uncertainties inherent in multiple projects, such as shared resources, changing customer requirements and late approvals on designs.

"Michigan Custom Machines makes custom production machines, such as diesel fuel systems and component testing equipment as well as prototypes," explains Sanjeev Gupta, Realization CEO. "It is critical for the company's success that Michigan Custom Machines quotes aggressive due-dates and meets them consistently, while still being cost effective.

"This is something that older project software is incapable of providing Michigan Custom Machines," Gupta adds. "That's because these project management software products, based on the critical path approach, are outmoded. They have been so for years. While they consider time and resource constraints, they ignore the effects that uncertainties are causing. Where they fail is when the path changes because of uncertainties.

"Contrarily," Gupta emphasizes, "Concerto is the only software that runs on the Theory of Constraints. Rather than critical path, it is based on a Critical Chain engine that adapts to uncertainties by inserting 'uncertainty buffers' in the right places of each project. These buffers absorb and lessen the shocks of uncertainties. As uncertainties create delays in execution, the buffer gets used. The Critical Chain engine then calculates how much of the unscheduled time is still available for future uncertainties and sets forward- looking priorities for everyone, including managers."

About Realization Technologies, Inc.

Realization provides the next generation of project management software that enables multiple projects to run faster and be completed on time. Instead of critical path, Realization's software uses a Critical Chain Engine(TM), which adapts to and manages uncertainties. It is already at work in a wide range of institutions including Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, LSI Logic, Medtronic, NASA, and the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. Realization is headquartered at 2 North First Street, San Jose, Calif. 95113. Website is www.realization.com.