Metaldyne Implements MDSS FACTIVITY

CLEVELAND--March 22, 2004--A leading global designer and supplier of metal-based components, assemblies and modules for the automotive industry, Metaldyne chose FACTIVITY from Cleveland-based MDSS to significantly improve its ability to monitor and control activities on the factory floor at its Hamburg, MI and St. Marys, PA plants. FACTIVITY is a graphical, easy-to-use tool that fully interfaces with most enterprise systems, including MFG/PRO(R) from QAD Inc., the system in use at these Metaldyne plants.

With annual revenues of nearly $2 billion, Metaldyne is committed to continuous improvement to maintain its competitive edge. FACTIVITY is currently in use in a low-volume, discrete work order environment where nearly every work station can access its capabilities by means of a color-coded, easy-to-use touch screen. Factory floor employees are able to update or query product status rapidly and accurately. Because FACTIVITY continually updates the enterprise system's database, order takers, supervisors and management are kept current at all times.

Metaldyne also uses FACTIVITY to post dispatch lists on line. Employees touch the screen, find their next part/job, and touch again when they are finished. FACTIVITY eliminates the need for supervisor intervention, thus removing waste from the process: a key component of lean manufacturing.

FACTIVITY also enables operators to quarantine suspect parts without stopping the production process. The system assigns an automated MRB (Material Review Board) number and generates a message to quality control for fast disposition. Because operator training is simple and intuitive, employees can be trained within two hours.

Metaldyne used FACTIVITY to improve its control of the factory floor, to have the right product in the right place at the right time, to reduce inventory and inventory turns and to provide real time visibility into production.

About MDSS

Cleveland, OH-based MDSS Inc. has delivered business solutions to manufacturers for 15 years, integrating its FACTIVITY product with enterprise applications to dynamically control the shop floor, measure productivity and respond quickly to changing requirements. For more information, visit http://www.mdss.com or contact John Leibert at +1.216.514.5141. FACTIVITY is a trademark of MDSS Inc.

QAD is a trademark and MFG/PRO is a registered trademark of QAD Inc. All other products or company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.