Configuration Management/Product Data Management System Implemented at Loral Defense Systems.

EAGAN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 1995--Loral Defense Systems has taken delivery of a Configuration Management/Product Data Management system developed by CMstat Corp. of San Diego.

The commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system provides a powerful product information database, a full set of configuration rules, procedures, and application modules that ensure clear, concise and valid data.

"There were several reasons why we selected CMstat," said Dennis Gacke, Loral's engineering project manager. "We're replacing a pre-existing mainframe system and CMstat integrates better with this system. Our mainframe here is linked into other Loral mainframe systems and we have to make all those interfaces work. With CMstat's API and SQL capabilities, this is possible."

Loral evaluated several other CM/PDM vendors before choosing the CMstat system, according to Gacke. "We needed a mil standard compliant system, and CMstat had mil standard compliant capability."

There were a whole series of issues with some of the other vendors, Gacke indicated. One well-known product information management (PIM) system was primarily a file management system with other functionality laid on top. "That really isn't mil compliant," Gacke commented. "They were using an old RDBMS as the basis for their product. There was just too much layering of functionality."

"Philosophically, the approach that CMstat took to develop its software was very similar to the way we manage product, and therefore we felt it was a closer match to the way we do business," he added.

CMstat's new Version 5 contains an easy-to-use, Graphical User Interface (GUI) based on Computer Associates' CA-OpenROAD object-oriented development environment. This new GUI gives Windows, Windows NT and UNIX users a common desktop in terms of appearance and behavior.

Gacke is particularly impressed with the new cross-platform GUI. "Our hardware design and software development are done on UNIX-based workstations, but many product management activities are performed on desktop PCs," he explained. "With CMstat's common GUI client applications, the visual presentation is the same whether the engineer is working on his PC or at a CAD workstation."

"The GUI interface also shortens the learning curve for people who are already using Windows applications like Excel or Word, or any number of Windows packages," he added. "Anybody who is familiar with Windows will not have any problem transitioning to CMstat."

Gacke also believes that CMstat has done a good job with its online help utility. He says the help screens give users insight into each module's basic functions, and allows them to add installation-specific screens in order to tailor the software for any given application.

"Another big advantage of CMstat V5 is the ability to allow users to access information maintained in a different module without having to leave the currently active module. You can access document data from the item/part or change modules without interrupting your work," Gacke said.

Company Information

Loral's facility in Eagan, Minn., was formerly part of a Unisys Corp. business unit which had revenues of approximately $1.4 billion in 1994. The business was sold to Loral in May 1995. The Eagan facility manufactures defense information systems, air traffic control systems, airborne systems, postal systems and environmental systems.

Loral Corp., with headquarters in New York City, is a high-technology company that primarily concentrates in defense electronics, communications, space and systems integration.

CMstat Corp. is a leading developer of integrated Configuration Management and Product Data Management (CM/PDM) Systems. CMstat's products enable the sharing of product information in an enterprise-wide distributed computing environment. CMstat is unique in that it offers both Configuration Management and Product Data Management, while most other vendors offer only one or the other.

CMstat has developed commercial off-the-shelf solutions to provide a foundation for the continuous improvement of a product, process or facility. These improvements extend from design through manufacturing and support.

Founded in San Diego in 1986, CMstat is a subsidiary of VSE Corp. (NASDAQ:VSEC), an Alexandria, Va.-based engineering and management services company founded in 1959, which reported 1994 revenues of $65.6 million.

CMstat does business with major corporations, governments and the military in North America, Western Europe, Australia and the Pacific Rim. Industries served by CMstat include aerospace and aviation, automotive manufacturing, biotechnology, medical devices, mechanical systems, energy systems, commercial electronics, computer systems manufacturing, telecommunications and others.

Note: CMstat is a trademark of CMstat Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This release is CMstat document number MKTG-0330-A, dated August 23, 1995.

CONTACT: CMstat Corp., San Diego

Kurt Barnhart, 619-552-6660,

email: [e-mail] or Kurt SD [e-mail]