Mar 20, 2001 Valor Computerized Systems (Neuer Markt: VCR) today announced an agreement with WebQuote Software, Inc. to develop an integrated, web-enabled PCB procurement solution driven directly from the design engineer's desktop. Based on the ODB++ high-level data exchange format, this new service will provide OEMs and contract manufacturers with online PCB procurement services supported by data automatically extracted from Valor's DFM and assembly and test software, Enterprise 3000 and Trilogy 5000. WebQuote Software provides turnkey solutions for Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers, custom product manufacturers, and OEMs that automate the complete sourcing process, delivering expert collaborative eCommerce infrastructure and supply chain management for custom products such as PCBs.
The value of online quoting and ordering services in the electronics industry is extremely high due to the significant volume of prototypes and production orders for PCBs, which are complex custom-designed part. Today, the complexity of the products and high rate of design changes lead to inefficiencies in the procurement processes, for both buyer and manufacturer, unless supported by timely and accurate data. In combining data automation with the Internet, quotes are created much more quickly, communications are standardized and proposals can be compared more easily compared. By activating WebQuote's AutoRFQ' software directly from the ODB++ database of Enterprise 3000 and Trilogy 5000, PCB engineers and buyers can reach an informed decision faster, reducing lead times and increasing pricing accuracy.
"As a member of the Valor Open Systems Alliance (OSA) program, we are focusing our development expertise in seamlessly integrating the WebQuote AutoRFQ tools with Valor's DFM and CAM solutions. The resulting solution will allow PCB designers, buyers and EMS companies to save time in RFQ generation, eliminate RFQ errors, accurately compare quotes and reduce procurement overheads," said Bob Eminian, vice president of marketing at WebQuote. " A generic quote program cannot handle the specifics relating to the PCB industry. Based on ODB++, the WebQuote-Valor solution provides the exact data for all b2b procurement processes for build-to-specification electronics products," Eminian added.
"Our partnership with WebQuote further demonstrates our commitment in providing engineering solutions throughout the electronics supply chain. In working with WebQuote, who are domain experts in eCommerce and procurement technologies for the custom electronics industry, including PCBs, we will provide OEMs and EMS companies with a dedicated quotation tool that is directly linked to the most complete product definition data: ODB++," said Julian Coates, vice president of marketing at Valor.
"Users will be able to process a higher number of RFQs, be more confident in the resulting costings, and analyze and compare quotations more efficiently, delivering productivity, cost and cycle time benefits into the supply chain processes," Coates added.
AutoRFQ is a procurement automation program that reads PCB data files, including ODB++, extracts the parameters that are quotable into an RFQ specification, and manages the buyer-seller dialog as RFQs are negotiated through the RFQ-Quote-Order process. When integrated into Valor's Enterprise 3000 and Trilogy 5000 software, engineers can create push-button RFQs and Orders directly from the Valor desktop and route them through the Internet to either private or public marketplaces, including The PCBmarketplace (www.pcbmarketplace.com). AutoRFQ is a buying agent in WebQuote's PCB SalesLINK, a client-server software suite for PCB manufacturers.
ODB++ data represents a perfect platform from which to deliver accurate product definition data from the design department to the web-based RFQ tools located in the procurement department. This enables precise and fast quotations and avoids lengthy and inaccurate manual data entry stages. ODB++ data ensures that the quote engine has all the PCB-specific information needed to execute detailed cost calculations and forms a good basis for automatically providing users with the all the relevant product data that is needed in the RFQ process.
The integrated Enterprise/AutoRFQ service is scheduled for availability in Q2 2001.
WebQuote Software, Inc. develops turnkey eCommerce solutions for sellers, contract manufacturers, and buyers of build-to-specification electronic products. The company is committed to the principals of end-to-end supply chain management collaboration, focusing first on automating and web enabling the complex sell-side process for direct materials. The WebQuote System includes both sell-side (SalesLINK) and buy-side (BuyersLINK) software agents, secure central databases, and hosted corporate extranets or private exchanges. The solution uniquely addresses the needs of build-to-specification sales and procurement organizations by starting and ending in CAD/CAM. This delivers reduced time-to-market, lower cost of sales, decreased acquisition cost, and increased supply chain velocity. WebQuote is a member of the Valor Open Systems Alliance (OSA) program, RosettaNet, IPC, and an Oracle Partner (NASDAQ: ORCL).
Valor Computerized Systems [Neuer Markt: VCR] is a global leader in providing engineering solutions throughout the design-through-manufacturing electronics supply chain. Valor is a public company listed on the Neuer Markt of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The company's powerful software tools, based on ODB++, the Valor-funded data format which has quickly become the format of choice for high-level data exchange, ensure the rapid transfer of optimized data from design through manufacturing. Enterprise 3000 DFx system for physical design verification, Trilogy 5000 for assembly and test engineering, and the unique Valor Parts Library online data service are utilized by designers and engineers to deliver enhanced productivity, higher yields, shorter cycle times and increased product quality. All Valor products are sold and supported by a worldwide network that includes global subsidiary offices, VARs and OEM channels.
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