February 28, 2007

SupplyOn AG, a provider of Internet services for the automotive and manufacturing industries, is unveiling a new version of its SupplyOn Document Manager – an efficient tool for exchanging documents with suppliers. The new version, which will be available from March 2007 onwards, enables suppliers to return documents to their customers within clearly-defined processes. These documents can then be automatically processed in the customer´s internal systems. The Document Manager thus opens up new application scenarios that play a central role both in development and series production.

Engineering Change Request
One important process that the new version of SupplyOn Document Manager facilitates is the form-based engineering change request, or ECR. The supplier receives a change package from its customer which contains technical drawings, for example, along with a form requesting framework conditions. The supplier is now able to process the form and return it to his client via the Document Manager. Once the change has been carried out, the customer can then send the change package, including the approved technical drawings, to his supplier as part of an Engineering Change Notification. The supplier then finally confirms the process.

Sampling and capacity planning
Further areas of application for the new functions of the SupplyOn service include sampling and capacity planning. In the case of sampling, the supplier is provided with the technical drawings and measuring points. Following internal sampling, the result can be returned to the customer via the Document Manager and then processed automatically. The SupplyOn Document Manager´s capacity planning function enables suppliers to regularly indicate their capacity utilization via a form provided by the customer.

The previous version of the Document Manager already facilitated the efficient distribution of documents such as technical drawings, factory standards or quality and logistics guidelines. The solution also facilitates the automatic information of suppliers about document changes. Furthermore, the Document Manager can also be integrated into other processes via SupplyOn, such as the request for quotation process and the purchase order.

Standard solution for document exchange
The SupplyOn Document Manager is the de facto standard in the automotive industry and is recommended by the Fachverband Metallwaren- und verwandte Industrien e.V. (Trade Association of Metal Goods and Allied Industries, FMI) for the supplier sector. The greater level of interactivity offered by the new version now allows the structured exchange of documents in both directions and ensures an even greater level of process standardization and automation.

 

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