ClearOrbit Launches Xtended Quality Control (X.QC) Suite to Add Manufacturing Execution Directly to ERP Systems; Tier One Automotive Supplier ArvinMeritor Selects X.QC to Automate Component Verification for Vehicle Assembly

AUSTIN, Texas--Aug. 1, 20050, 2005--ClearOrbit, the leading provider of real-time supply chain execution (SCE) software, today announced the launch of its new Xtended Quality Control (X.QC) solution. X.QC enables manufacturers to reduce errors and improve quality by providing shop floor workers an intuitive user interface to direct assembly operations, while controlling key production devices such as programmable logic controllers, torque units, barcode scanners, and vision systems. Unlike other MES (Manufacturing Execution System) products, X.QC is tightly integrated to the manufacturer's ERP or legacy system, significantly reducing synchronization issues and implementation costs associated with disparate data models.

ClearOrbit also announced today that leading automotive parts manufacturer ArvinMeritor has purchased X.QC to automate assembly line component verification within its commercial truck, trailer, and specialty original equipment manufacturing operations. ArvinMeritor selected X.QC because it offered advanced manufacturing automation capabilities directly integrated to its existing production and inventory control systems.

"We are pleased to have partnered with ArvinMeritor to launch our Xtended Quality Control solution," said Tom Dziersk, President and CEO of ClearOrbit. "Optimizing quality is a critical concern all our customers must address to remain competitive. X.QC supports our customers' Quality initiatives, but like all ClearOrbit products it does so in a way that leverages, not duplicates, their existing enterprise systems."

"ClearOrbit's X.QC is a unique solution that will drive significant value across our global assembly operations," said Jay McLean, Vice President IT for ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Systems Group. "Increasing first-pass yield, reducing training costs and maintaining a comprehensive audit trail are all important initiatives addressed by this solution. X.QC's configurable architecture also means that we can support these initiatives across multiple facilities without custom code. This approach is well aligned with our corporate IT objective of common global processes across our organization."

"Out of the box" connectivity dramatically lowers the cost of implementing and maintaining X.QC over time compared to other alternatives. X.QC comes with pre-built connectors to leading enterprise systems such as the Oracle(R) E-Business Suite and SAP(R) R/3(R). These connectors ensure that the information used to drive the assembly process, such as the Bill of Materials (BOM), is pulled in real-time from the enterprise system, avoiding latency issues and BOM version errors.

While leveraging the manufacturer's enterprise system, X.QC also offers important features to maximize first-pass yield, including:

-- Optimized user interface. Displays step-by-step assembly instructions with touch screen / large format navigation.

-- Configurable workflow engine. Allows line engineers to easily create and modify assembly processes incorporating user input, device control, assembly instructions, data manipulation and error handling.

-- Real-time Alerts and Reports. Tracks quality trends and alerts supervisors to deviations and process exceptions.

-- Real-time Device Integration. Incorporates devices such as PLCs, Vision Systems, Temperature Sensors, LEDs, Barcode, and DC Torque units for production setup, control and monitoring.

-- High Availability. Ability to run in a stand-alone mode disconnected from the ERP for maximum uptime.

-- RFID integration. Traps RFID tag reads in the assembly process for improved efficiency.

A common business issue occurs in complex manufacturing environments where errors can exist even if a part physically fits within an assembly. With on-screen instructions, device integration, and RF scanning, X.QC immediately alerts workers if they have selected an inappropriate part. In addition to on-screen or LED feedback, barcode labels are printed with clear "Pass/Fail" labels and production data, ensuring that parts are handled correctly based on quality results.

"Assembly errors are quite easy to make and can happen frequently," said Dr. Hau Lee, Professor at the Stanford Graduate Business School and Director of the Stanford Global Supply Chain Management Forum. "Undetected, errors can cause liability and recall problems much later in the process. ClearOrbit's solution not only generates alerts to a potential problem, but also gives operators sufficient information to resolve the problem once detected. That combination of sense and response enables assemblies to be done well. This is exactly the same objective as Poka-Yoke and Six Sigma initiatives, which is what we need in the supply chain."

ArvinMeritor and ClearOrbit will be presenting an interactive web seminar describing the X.QC component verification solution on Wednesday, August 17th at 1pm US central time. Visit www.clearorbit.com/web_seminar.php for more details.

About ArvinMeritor

ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier $8-billion global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and related aftermarkets. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 32,000 people at more than 150 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: http://www.arvinmeritor.com/.

About ClearOrbit

Since 1994, ClearOrbit has assisted more than 275 clients in automating and controlling their supply chain execution processes. ClearOrbit extends enterprise systems value with proven Supply Chain Execution (SCE) and Collaborative Supply Management (CSM) software solutions that allow customers to fully leverage their investment in enterprise applications while also gaining additional value by incorporating their trading partners into their supply chains. ClearOrbit products work within the existing enterprise system to leverage a "single version of the truth," expanding rather than duplicating functionality to eliminate inefficiencies in the supply chain. By using the customer's data model, ClearOrbit delivers on the promise of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Oracle and SAP with fully integrated supply chain execution and collaboration solutions that address "last mile functionality" issues inherent in most ERP systems. ClearOrbit customers include Cisco Systems , JDS Uniphase and Texas Instruments . See how enterprise systems can reach a higher level at www.ClearOrbit.com or call us at 800-324-5143.

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