IFS has announced that Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support has implemented IFS Applications business software at its sites in Orlando, Florida, and Fort Worth, Texas. The IFS software, which includes defense manufacturing and engineering applications, has enabled Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support to consolidate three legacy systems into a single integrated solution while streamlining its business processes. "In addition to enhanced functionality, the great advantage is the elimination of the batch interfaces between our engineering and manufacturing processes," said Ralph Giffin, Vice President of Operations for Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support. "The integrated solution from IFS provides real-time information from engineering to manufacturing, increasing our overall efficiency. We selected IFS Applications because of its flexibility and intuitiveness; its component-based architecture, and its estimated total cost of ownership. We're very pleased that the final data migration was completed with 99.99 percent of the approximately 16 million records successfully migrating." "These implementations are an important milestone in IFS' expanding relationship with Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support," said Cindy Jaudon, president of IFS North America. "We are delighted to have Lockheed Martin as a customer in addition to the mutually beneficial business opportunities that we are already pursuing jointly in the defense industry." Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support selected IFS in 2004 to provide low-cost supply chain management for the Autonomic Logistic Information System (ALIS), an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. ALIS is the information backbone that provides core functionality for in-service operations within the F-35 aircraft system design. Also in 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence chose Lockheed Martin UK as the prime systems integrator for the Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions first increment (JAMES1). The agreement with IFS Defence Ltd. includes both core software and implementation services. JAMES1 is the first step in an incremental program to deliver increased capabilities in the management of defense equipment assets and will give commanders a better understanding of equipment condition and its readiness for training. Aerospace and defense is one of IFS' targeted market segments. IFS Applications includes advanced standard functionality that meets the demanding requirements of defense manufacturers. IFS' fully integrated project tracking and product data management (PDM) capabilities, when combined with other IFS Applications components, make it easier to operate while managing the design, manufacturing, and ongoing spare parts logistics and maintenance support of complex products throughout the product lifecycle. IFS customers within the aerospace and defense industry include the British, Norwegian, and South African defense organizations as well as the Eurofighter consortium. Commercial MRO shops and operators include Finnair, Bristow Helicopters, Aero-Dienst GmbH, Hawker Pacific, and Jet Turbine Services. In addition, IFS provides solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, BAE SYSTEMS, Saab Aerosystems, and GE Aircraft Engines.