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members and customers through collaboration speeds deci- sions, productivity and completion of tasks is essential—lead- ing to greater customer satisfaction.


Product Innovation Product innovation is a major focus for the A&D Industry,


as it is for any high-tech industry which depends on new prod- uct introductions to fulfill customer expectations and continu- ally create demand for “new-and-improved” offerings to drive sales. Innovation that leads to more fuel-efficient aircraſt, oper- ating at lower cost per seat-mile keeps fleet owners purchasing new inventory, despite downturns in consumer travel. “Product innovation is key in this industry,” noted Ma-


nenti, “where winning products are those that offer maximum reliability, low cost of ownership, and performance. Nearly 70% of aerospace and defense organizations plan to invest in product innovation over the next three years.” Design engineering, the foundation of product innova-


tion, benefits dramatically from collaboration tools. In today’s global workplace, collaboration tools make it easier for key stakeholders to participate in conversations—from brain- storming new ideas to problem-solving specific obstacles. Ideas—even advanced concepts involving virtual schematics and lengthy formulas, can be shared across the globe in real time and saved as part of the knowledge base and project development history. Conversations aren’t lost to texts, phone calls, hallway chatter or consumer-grade social media. In an industry where security, propriety solutions and intellectual property are critical, ideas have value and must be protected with the power of the full ERP. Top manufacturing executives recognize the value of effec-


tive collaboration in product innovation. In a recent study, Te Aberdeen Group found that 43% of manufacturers surveyed expect improved collaboration to yield shorter time-to-market for new products. In addition, 29% aim for a better innovation process through collaboration.


Supply Chain Simplifying the supply chain is yet another driver forcing


A&D managers to enhance the IT infrastructure, according to IDC research. “With the increasing supply-chain complexity and elongation in the aerospace and defense industry, more than 90% of respondents are focusing their cost containment initiatives primarily outside the four walls of their enterprise,” said Manenti. “Teir key strategy is primarily focused on reducing the number of suppliers and shortening and optimiz- ing the supply chain.” Again, collaboration is an effective tactic for streamlining activities with the the supply chain, including global partners, subcontractors, distributors and government agencies involved in overseeing compliance and safety issues. Efficient vendor partnerships can make or break any busi- ness. Te high value of mission-critical assets and specialized


technology makes the vendor relationship in A&D especially important. Just-in-time inventory methods and overnight global delivery schedules require that the channels of com- munication with vendors remain open and active at all times. ERP tools, like web-enabled vendor self-service portals, help make this connectivity possible, allowing manufacturers and vendors to progress toward common goals.


Choosing the Right Collaboration Tools In addition to examining the areas in which collaboration


tools will benefit A&D manufacturers, companies considering an IT infrastructure transformation need to also review the type of collaboration tools to use. First glimpses into the tools available may point managers to the popular social-media platforms. Unfortunately, consumer-oriented social platforms lack the depth and power suitable to today’s complex, fast- moving manufacturing environment. Te qualities that lead to success in manufacturing revolve around rapid mastery of highly-sophisticated processes combining human judg- ment, precision engineering and financial accuracy, all united in a highly-synchronized framework focused on business goals. Te most important collaborative functions include the engineering and design process, business process integration, real-time financial reporting and analytics and fully connected manufacturing execution capabilities. Above all, consumer social media specializes in fundamen-


tally insignificant information. If social media information gets lost, corrupted, distorted or misdirected, nobody gets hurt or loses money. In manufacturing, risks are real and mistakes cost dearly. Social media’s typically cavalier attitude toward accuracy, security and continuity can’t be tolerated in A&D. Tere’s no substitute for having the right collaborative tool


to match A&D requirements. Te collaboration process needs to be integral to the overall workflow—not an aſterthought. Te kind of collaboration system that’s most likely to help A&D companies succeed offers a combination of breadth and power so that the entire process is supported, while retaining enough flexibility to allow the business to respond to new situations.


Pulling it All Together Te A&D industry will benefit from a robust collabora-


tion architecture, incorporating deeper business functions. An integrated approach to including collaboration in the company strategy for performance improvement is important. Collaboration is an operational and workforce productivity concept which needs to be included in every step of the overall strategy for controlling costs and meeting customer needs. Collaboration technologies give manufacturers, suppliers and contractors a path to the next level of teamwork, and com- bines human ingenuity, powerful analysis and the means to execute strategy rapidly enough to succeed in a rapidly chang- ing business environment. ✈


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