ThyssenKrupp Budd Implementing Kaba Benzing B-COMM Time and Labor System for SAP Solutions

MIAMI LAKES, Fla.--May 1, 20048, 2004--Kaba Benzing, a subsidiary of $800 million Kaba Holding AG and worldwide leader in time and labor management systems, today announced that ThyssenKrupp Budd's chassis stamping and systems plant will begin implementing Kaba Benzing's B-COMM time and attendance and labor reporting software for SAP(R) solutions to simplify reporting of their approximately 700 employees.

B-COMM time and attendance/labor reporting software for the SAP R/3(R) software solution links Kaba Benzing terminals and other hardware data devices to SAP R/3 Release 3.1 to 4.7 (SAP R/3 Enterprise). It automates and validates the collection of employee and labor data for entry into the mySAP(TM) Human Resources (mySAP HR) solution, the time management application, and other SAP applications.

"As we moved from a legacy time and attendance system to the SAP R/3 software solution, we wanted to use a proven time and labor management system that would interface with it," reports Mohammed Peracha, ThyssenKrupp Budd MIS General Supervisor. "We wanted to use a system that others were using, not a new, unproven software."

The core of the B-COMM software is an SAP-certified interface that helps ensure faultless data exchange between the individual SAP applications and the data collection devices. This interface is kept current with all new SAP technical developments. All data maintenance takes place in the SAP solution.

Previously, the plant used a bar code based system. Now, the new system at ThyssenKrupp Budd's chassis plant incorporates proximity card readers at the turnstiles where the employees clock in. At this point, their clock-in time is captured and sent to the SAP R/3 software solution. According to Peracha, this eliminates a step for the employees who no longer will need to go to the bar code readers to clock in. With this new system, they simply walk through the turnstile with their card and their time is recorded.

"Like so many other automotive companies that have made the switch to the SAP time management component of mySAP HR, ThyssenKrupp Budd needed to have their time clocks and time data collection interface with their new SAP software solution," emphasizes John Edwards, President and General Manager of Kaba Benzing America. "Similarly, this ThyssenKrupp Budd plant is easing implementation by selecting a proven SAP partner with a certified interface. We have over 800 such installations throughout the world."

About ThyssenKrupp Budd

ThyssenKrupp Budd Company, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., and more than $2.5 billion sales, is part of ThyssenKrupp Automotive Group, of Bochum, Germany, which boasts more than $6 billion in automotive sales worldwide, 50 percent of which come from the NAFTA Region. ThyssenKrupp Budd's products can be found on nearly 100 current model vehicles. The company produces sheet metal stampings and assemblies, chassis modules and components, gray and ductile iron castings, bumpers and air bag components.

About Kaba Benzing

Located in Miami Lakes, Fla., Kaba Benzing is a subsidiary of $800 million Kaba Holding AG and a worldwide leader in time and labor management systems. From touch screen access and shop floor terminals to complex labor costing algorithms and reporting for SAP R/3 and other leading enterprise systems, Kaba Benzing offers an array of time and attendance and production data collection solutions. Kaba Benzing can be contacted in North America at 305-819-4000; website is www.kaba-benzing-usa.com. In Europe and Asia, website address is www.kaba-benzing.com.

SAP, R/3, mySAP and all other SAP product and service names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries around the world.