Fedex successfully launches world's largest client server imaging and work flow system; new system improves efficiency.MEMPHIS Memphis, city, ancient Egypt Memphis (mĕm`fĭs), ancient city of Egypt, capital of the Old Kingdom (c.3100–c.2258 B.C.), at the apex of the Nile delta and 12 mi (18 km) from Cairo. , Tenn--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 1995--Federal Express Corporation (Fedex) and IA Corporation, a leading vendor of work management software, today jointly announced the successful launch of FedEx's Domestic Customer Invoicing (DCI (Display Control Interface) An Intel/Microsoft programming interface for full-motion video and games in Windows. It allowed applications to take advantage of video accelerator features built into the display adapter. ) System, one of the world's largest client/server-based imaging systems. The new DCI system, developed by Emeryville, CA-based IA Corporation in association with FedEx technical and operations staff, improves FedEx's invoicing process by reducing keystrokes, eliminating paper handling, and increasing workers' productivity. The DCI system is designed to scan, recognize, and store images of nearly 1,000,000 airbills each day at FedEx's Memphis headquarters before transmitting them to several remote data entry service providers located throughout 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. . The data entry providers then convert the images into keyed data used for customer invoicing. In the past the paper airbills were delivered overnight to the vendors for data conversion. "The DCI System represents a monumental mon·u·men·tal adj. 1. Of, resembling, or serving as a monument. 2. Impressively large, sturdy, and enduring. 3. milestone in FedEx's migration to client/server computing computing - computer ," said Dennis H. Jones, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President, Information and Telecommunications Systems Division at FedEx. DCI is one of two core components of FedEx's new Enterprise Image System architecture. The other system, the Electronic Delivery Record (EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) An acronym occasionally used to reflect an advancement in transmission or transfer speed. For example, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR provides a dramatic increase in speed over the previous version. See Bluetooth. ), was also developed by IA Corporation and went into production in May 1994. Additionally, the DCI system supports the use of airbill images in downstream processes, such as Quality Control and Airbill Archival and Retrieval. Billing research representatives in the Customer Account Services department can display an airbill image on NCD NCD - Network Computing Devices X-terminal workstations alongside traditional mainframe data display screens. The displayed airbill image is available instantaneously in·stan·ta·ne·ous adj. 1. Occurring or completed without perceptible delay: Relief was instantaneous. 2. for the representative to use as a source for billing data adjustments. A complex set of rules supported by IA's high-volume, distributed, work flow engines allows work to be allocated to representatives based on specific airbill characteristics and individual workload. 50 Gigabytes of compressed image data archived daily The DCI system will archive 50 Gigabytes of compressed image data daily, making it one of the largest client/server-based imaging systems implemented to-date. The system also supports what may be the most extensive remote imaging transmission application as well, distributing 25 Gigabytes of data daily via T-1 lines to numerous vendor sites within the continental U.S. Each of the participating data entry service providers implemented major hardware and software changes in concert with the DCI system introduction to support image display, work distribution, and "heads-up" keying, working closely with FedEx and IA technical staffs to ensure system compatibility. The data entry service providers that integrated their systems with FedEx's are: DATAMARK, Inc. of El Paso El Paso (ĕl pă`sō), city (1990 pop. 515,342), seat of El Paso co., extreme W Tex., on the Rio Grande opposite Juárez, Mex.; inc. 1873. , TX; Digital Imaging and Technologies, Inc. of Anaheim, CA; EDM (Engineering Data Management) An information system that maintains the details of all engineering data while the product is in the design and concept phase. This includes geometry and changes to geometry. See PLM. EDM - Electronic Data Management International of Juarez, Mexico; Newport Beach Newport Beach, residential and resort city (1990 pop. 66,643), Orange co., S Calif., on Newport Bay and the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1906. It is a popular seaside resort and yachting center. Manufactures include electrical and medical equipment, computers, boats, and adhesives. Data Entry of Newport Beach, CA; and PC Data of New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY. The DCI system leverages IA's open, client/server WorkVision architecture to integrate tightly with FedEx's existing mainframe application, sending updates after each major step in the work flow. FedEx technicians installed the network components required for communication between the mainframe and the client/server platform, and FedEx systems developers modified existing mainframe applications to provide a seamless interface with the DCI system. WorkVision Platform The FedEx system was built using IA's document management and workflow technologies Workflow technology is a new field of software products designed to improve the design of information systems. It involves use of workflow engine to execute models of processes. The models can be edited by persons not experienced in programming (e.g. for large-scale, production enterprise systems. These technologies are part of IA's WorkVision work management platform. WorkVision is comprised of object-based components that can be used to build distributed and scalable client/server applications. The WorkVision components include workflow, optical storage, image capture, forms recognition, and image delivery. FedEx Background Federal Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable services for important documents, packages and freight. The company delivers more than 2.3 million items in 192 countries each working day. It employs more than 108,000 people, operates 478 aircraft and more than 35,000 vehicles in its integrated system. Federal Express reported revenues of $8.5 billion for its fiscal year ended May 31, 1994. IA Background IA Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, CA, is a leading vendor of work management software. IA's WorkVision work management platform is comprised of a set of object-based components that can be used to build distributed, scalable client/server applications. WorkVision components include workflow, optical storage, image capture, forms recognition, and image delivery. IA provides solutions to suit specific customer requirements and to assist customers in differentiating their service offerings. This combination of standard components and customization services significantly reduces customer risk, shortens implementation cycles, and lowers deployment costs for business-critical applications. IA is recognized for its integration expertise and successful implementation of distributed, enterprise-wide client/server systems for clients, including many Fortune 100 companies. CONTACT: IA Corporation Thierry Leger, 510/450-6816 or Copithorne & Bellows bellows, expansible, gas-tight chamber used to pump or store a gas. One of the simplest and most familiar types of bellows is the manual one used for providing a forced draft to a fire. The expansible chamber consists of a leather bag with pleated sides. Samantha Moore, 415/975-2227 or FedEx Carolyn Freeman, 901/395-3771 |
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