INFORMANCE CONNECTS FACTORY FLOOR WITH THE ENTERPRISE

Informance Integration Module delivers advanced connectivity to enterprise applications such as Enterprise Resource Planning, Supply Chain Management and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems

NORTHBROOK, IL — OCTOBER 21, 2004 — Informance International, a leading provider Manufacturing Performance Management solutions, announced today the release of its Informance Integration Module (IIM). The IIM provides a standards-based integration platform using a .NET architecture supporting two-way access via web services to all Informance functions and data. Furthermore the IIM supports SAP "out-of-the-box" connectivity supporting both RFCÁs and IDOCÁs methods of integration. Also, Informance is part of the Netweaver Ramp-up program and is working on integrations with SAP Exchange Infrastructure (SAP XI), SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW) and mySAP Enterprise Portal (mySAP EP).

"The Informance Integration Module provides the very latest integration framework and technology to support our customerÁs desire to leverage the Informance platform through connectivity with other enterprise applications," said John Oskin, CEO of Informance International.

InformanceÁs technology has been widely adopted by manufacturers implementing multi-plant deployments of its Manufacturing Performance Management solution to support Lean, TPM and continuous improvement programs. These manufacturers have identified several other areas in which the data collected by Informance can be leveraged in supporting transactions within ERP, Supply Chain and CMMS platforms. This functionality gives InformanceÁs customers out-of-the-box integration capabilities via a host of integration methods.

"Making good decisions requires that all relevant data, especially real-time operations data, must be at the disposal of the decision makers. Critical enterprise systems such as ERP, MES, Supply Chain, and EAM can leverage the Informance Integration Module to enrich planning and execution capabilities", said Greg Gorbach, Director of Collaborative Manufacturing Research at ARC Advisory Group.