Adra announces new products to bridge gap between product data management and business process management; Matrix System, new resellers, software developers, implementation partners provide integration of complex data management, workflow and communications.CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 1995--Adra Systems Inc., the leader in easy-to-use PDM (1) (Product Data Management) An information system used to manage the data for a product as it passes from engineering to manufacturing. The data includes plans, geometric models, CAD drawings, images, NC programs as well as all related project data, notes and (product data management) software, today announced major enhancements to help users implement business process re-engineering See reengineering. (business) Business Process Re-engineering - (BPR) Any radical change in the way in which an organisation performs its business activities. BPR involves a fundamental re-think of the business processes followed by a redesign of business activities to with a new version of its Matrix System software, a new API New API (also referred to as NAPI) is an interface to use interrupt mitigation techniques for networking devices in the Linux kernel. Such an approach is intended to reduce the overhead of packet receiving. , new service programs and more than a dozen new partners. The new Matrix product and programs enable users to go beyond simple PDM, and start using their organizational resources to achieve effective business process re-engineering. Adra Systems extends the realm of PDM through the introduction of its new Matrix System. Matrix bridges the gap between traditional PDM and total business process re-engineering by establishing relationships between managed data and the business process. Unlike traditional PDM, which is difficult to use and focused solely on managing and securing data, the Matrix System integrates complex data management, workflow and communications through an easy-to-use, highly graphical user interface graphical user interface (GUI) Computer display format that allows the user to select commands, call up files, start programs, and do other routine tasks by using a mouse to point to pictorial symbols (icons) or lists of menu choices on the screen as opposed to having to . The $500 million PDM market has been growing at 40 percent per year, in large part due to the demand for companies to improve their product development process through better management, control and distribution of product data. While traditional PDM systems have been narrowly focused on managing data, Matrix goes a step further, enabling users to define the relationship between those data and their business processes. Widespread adoption of PDM technology has been hindered by the fact that most PDM systems are hard to implement and use. PDM systems based on relational database relational database Database in which all data are represented in tabular form. The description of a particular entity is provided by the set of its attribute values, stored as one row or record of the table, called a tuple. technology are inflexible regarding the context in which data is used and are narrowly focused on managing the data instead of providing the ability to manage the context in which data is used. Adra's wide-ranging Matrix product and program enhancements are designed to solve these problems by providing the industry's easiest-to-use PDM system. In addition, an array of partnerships and programs help users with fast, efficient PDM implementations. The key elements of Adra's Matrix announcement include: Matrix 3.0 -- an enhanced version of Adra's easy-to-use PDM solution. Matrix, the only object-based system of its kind, enables users to retrieve information through an easily understood graphical user interface. An open software product, Matrix 3.0 includes new user features, new capabilities, and extends support to new hardware platforms Each hardware platform, or CPU family, has a unique machine language. All software presented to the computer for execution must be in the binary coded machine language of that CPU. Following is a list of the major hardware platforms in existence today. See platform. , operating systems Operating systems can be categorized by technology, ownership, licensing, working state, usage, and by many other characteristics. In practice, many of these groupings may overlap. and applications. Among a list of three dozen new Matrix features are: the ability to send e-mail from within Matrix to other e-mail systems and the Internet; additional graphical information browsers; a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Pronounced "wiz-ee-wig." It refers to displaying text and graphics on screen the same as they will print on paper or display on a Web page. forms builder; and a "drag and drop A graphical user interface (GUI) capability that lets you perform operations by moving the icon of an object with the mouse into another window or onto another icon. For example, files can be copied or moved by dragging them from one folder to another. " feature that enables users to link any information with the click of a mouse. Matrix API -- a new API designed to provide developers and integrators with a standard, easy-to-use way to develop applications for Matrix, or link existing applications to Matrix. Most PDM vendors have a proprietary approach to application integration with their products. With Adra's Matrix API, the industry's most open PDM product becomes even more open. Expanded RapidStart Program -- As part of its commitment to fast, effective implementation of the Matrix solution, Adra Systems is expanding its Matrix RapidStart program to include several new levels of service. Matrix users can now select customized RapidStart implementation programs designed to help them start using Matrix quickly, and then expand their Matrix implementation at their own pace. RapidStart offers implementation programs that can have workgroups or entire departments using the Matrix PDM system in as little as two weeks. New Reseller Partners -- Adra is aggressively expanding distribution for Matrix through new agreements with key reseller partners. Adra has signed agreements with leading resellers in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , Japan and Europe. Matrix System distribution partners now include Adage and San Giorgio San Giorgio, the Italian form of the name of Saint George. At least 31 towns in Italy are named San Giorgio, and at least 27 more are named San Giorgio (something) (as in San Giorgio Jonico, near Taranto). (Italy); Skysoft and Delta CAD, S.A. (Spain); Marubeni Hytech (Japan); Quorum Data Management Ltd., CAD Industries Ltd., and Document Management Systems (U.K.); Rand and Conceptual Technologies (U.S. and Canada); Technia Data Systems AB (Sweden); and Braincon Technologies GmbH (Austria). New Matrix Software Developers -- The Matrix System supports a wide range of popular CAD solutions from leading vendors. To ensure seamless integration An addition of a new application, routine or device that works smoothly with the existing system. It implies that the new feature or program can be installed and used without problems. Contrast with "transparent," which implies that there is no discernible change after installation. of CAD applications with the Matrix System, Adra has signed developer agreements with Quorum Data Management Ltd. and Conceptual Technologies. In addition to the expertise of these developers, Adra Systems Inc. is providing Matrix application integration services for several major CAD solutions. New Implementation Partners -- Adra has formed agreements with several key value-added implementation partners to help customers with rapid deployment of PDM through the Matrix System. These partners offer the expertise which enables users to enjoy the benefits of PDM and extend the benefits of business process re-engineering quickly and easily without disrupting their current operating procedures. Matrix System implementation partners include Life Cycle Solutions, Conceptual Technologies, Sea Corp., SYSCON (SYStem CONfiguration) A comprehensive NetWare utility that is used to configure trustee, login and accounting information on NetWare servers. and Planned Systems. Three Key Benefits of Matrix "The Matrix system is unique in three ways," said William Mason, founder and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Adra Systems Inc. "First, Matrix provides security for all the business objects users access and manipulate. Second, Matrix manages the relationships of business objects with each other. Third, Matrix helps people use business objects as part of the business process. No other PDM system available today provides these benefits. Before Matrix, PDM was simply limited data manipulation. Adra is accelerating the move from limited PDM to a world in which establishing relationships between data and the business process is the most important activity." Matrix Leads With Object Technology According to Charles M. Foundyller, CEO of Daratech Inc., a Cambridge, Mass.-based industry analyst firm, "True business re-engineering can only be accomplished with object-based tools." Adra's Matrix System is the only totally object-based PDM, offering users the scalability, performance and ease-of-use benefits available only through object-based tools built on an object-oriented database. With the signing of new VARs and implementation partners, Adra is accelerating the market penetration of object-based PDM software -- a technology that many industry analysts view as the only way to satisfy users' expectations and manage complex data structures within PDM systems. As the only object-based PDM system, Matrix defines the leading edge of this fast-growing market. "Most Innovative" User Interface Studies show that professionals who use computers spend up to 60 percent of their time on secondary functions such as looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. information and less than half their time actually performing their primary function. The Matrix System alters this ratio by providing an advanced user interface to reduce significantly the time professionals must spend on secondary functions. Its graphical user interface provides browsing tools and viewers that make navigating and retrieving information quick, easy and inviting. The Matrix System can control the most complex relationships between business objects, regardless of source, file type or application. In this way, businesses can improve the availability and control of information, automate such functions as review, approval and routing, and derive competitive advantage from the value they create. Price and Availability Matrix 3.0 is available now, with prices starting at $35,000 for the initial 20-user license. Additional user licenses are priced at approximately $1,200 each, and volume discounts apply. RapidStart support and implementation programs start at $15,000. Supported Systems and Environments Matrix 3.0 is a cross-platform client/server solution that supports AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive) IBM's Unix-based operating system which runs on its Intellistation workstations and pSeries, p5, iSeries and i5 server families. (TM), Digital UNIX, HP-UX HP's version of Unix that runs on its 9000 family. It is based on SVID and incorporates features from BSD Unix along with several HP innovations. (operating system) HP-UX - The version of Unix running on Hewlett-Packard workstations. (TM), Irix(TM), Solaris(TM), SunOS(TM), Microsoft(R)(TM) Windows(TM) version 3.1.1., Windows NT(TM) and Windows 95(TM). Adra Systems Inc. Adra Systems Inc., based in Chelmsford, Mass., was founded in 1983 to provide the highest-performance, lowest-cost solutions for the needs of the mechanical design, drafting and manufacturing sectors. Adra now serves more than 1,500 customers in 17 countries. Adra Systems offers three types of CAD/CAM CAD/CAM in full computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. Integration of design and manufacturing into a system under direct control of digital computers. software under the Cadra trade name: Cadra Design Drafting, Cadra Solids and Cadra NC. Adra Systems' Matrix group develops next-generation process management tools for use in overseeing the multimedia product databases of the future. Users of Adra Systems' products include such companies as AT&T, Bose Corp., General Electric, Goodyear, Lockheed, Martin Marietta, Motorola, Pitney Bowes, Polaroid, Texas Instruments, TRW TRW The Real World (TV reality show) TRW The Right Way TRW Tactical Reconnaissance Wing TRW The Retriever Weekly (University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD) TRW Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc , Walt Disney World Noun 1. Walt Disney World - a large amusement park established in 1971 to the southwest of Orlando Orlando - a city in central Florida; site of Walt Disney World and Westinghouse. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT and Windows 95 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. AIX is a trademark of IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) Corp. HP-UX is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard. Irix is a trademark of Silicon Graphics Inc. Solaris and SunOS are trademarks of Sun Microsystems Corp. UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Company Ltd. CONTACT: Adra Systems Inc. Mark F. O'Connell, 508/937-3700 or Schwartz Communications David Close or Christine Gannon, 617/431-0770 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion