My Profile

The theme to all of my work is using data to optimize business.

CIMdata is my home base. We are working with industrial companies and PLM solution providers to understand the next generation PLM, data management and social media technologies and applying them to product development. We are also well known for working with companies to develop first rate PLM strategies and plans, assessing existing PLM installations and planning for the future, and developing comprehensive enterprise information technology architectures for companies who develop products.

Another area of expertise is using data to save billions of dollars in supplychain costs. Using software from Convergence Data Services, we capture detailed data about all the parts that go into a product. This data is used for common components and part rationalization initiatives as well as regulatory compliance: RoHS, WEE, Conflict Minerals Reporting, etc. One of my projects resulted in a 10% reduction in material costs and generated $2.7B in free cash flow over a two year time frame.

Biography

At Whirlpool, I lead the group who provided the information management function for the product development organization.  We purchased commercial applications such as PTC Windchill and Pro/E and developed some applications to meet the unique needs of our business. We developed a unique PLM strategy at Whirlpool which used a combination of the commercial applications: Design For Retrieval (DFR) software from Convergence Data Services (CDS), Endeca from Oracle and Windchill.  DFR enables value through part rationalization, Endeca enables parts and design knowledge to be found and Windchill maintains the value by controlling new part creation.  These applications are used by 5000 people in 26 countries and all product development information is accessible from one logical location and accessible to everyone who needs the information.  The results have been reuse is nearing 80%. All parts are classified and have detailed attribute value data about geometric and performance characteristics. Every part can be found simply by searching and navigating the attribute values.  The company achieved a cash flow improvement of $2.7B over two years due to the reduction in inventory and purchased material costs.

We spun-off Structured Data from Hearst and became Convergence Data Services (CDS). CDS developed an innovative approach to developing and cleansing data for PLM systems. Using this approach, we assisted an Oil and Gas supplier with developing classification taxonomy, planning and migrating data from 23 MRP systems to single instances of PTC Windchill an JDE ERP. This was a quite an accomplishment. Only clean data was entered into Windchill. No duplicates and no garbage. We developed a new software product called DFR which was used to collaboratively (this is key) create a category / taxonomy / classification structure agreed to by the whole organization. 1.5M part numbers were migrated through this structured which yielded 360,000 clean part numbers and 16M associated attributes values loaded into Windchill. Using this process and data, we also accurately built and linked EBOMs and MBOMs in Windchill.  We also used the attribute data to enable anybody in the company to find any product or part just by searching for it's characteristics. This functionality was provided by Endeca. The company's financial results reversed from loosing $600K in one year to earning $600K in the next year due to the reduction inventory and new and repeat business.

At the Hearst Corporation, I built a new business unit called Structured Data, to address the rapidly accelerating need for good data. We used off shore resources to develop the data for an online catalog of over 1M electronic components. The team ramped up to delivering high quality attribute value data of 22K components / week. Most components averaged 20 attributes. We used these processes to develop a catalog of construction products as well. We recognized that the attribute value development process we developed could be used for PLM data as well.

At Accenture I was a member of the Strategic IT Effectiveness organization. Two notable projects were to develop the PLM strategy for Whirlpool and the shared services outsourcing strategy for a large Aerospace manufacturer. I eventually went to work for Whirlpool. The outsourcing strategy resulted in a $10B outsourcing deal, the largest at the time.

At Booz Allen & Hamilton I was a member of the IT group teamed with the consumer and engineered products practice in the NYC office. This is where I truly learned how to assess a client's situation and develop an information technology strategy for product development. At an automotive supplier we evaluated a failed PLM program for the VP of Engineering and made recommendations that eventually lead to a successful implementation. I developed a highly effective PLM framework used for the Air Force's F16 Fighter program, the Navy's DDG 51 Destroyer program and a leading Aircraft manufacturer. The strategy addressed the government requirements for rapid product development and reduced costs through the use of advanced computer aided design, manufacturing and analysis, and product data management systems.

At Digital Equipment Corporation now Hewlett Packard (HP), I managed the group who provided CAD, CAM and CAE support for Unigraphics, PTC Pro/E and ANSYS and developed complementary MCAD and CAE applications. We also developed integration for MCAD and ECAD, CAD viewing and workflow management. Later I managed a group that developed one of the first engineering document management systems called EDCS. During this time I worked on a project where DEC was contracted to deliver a workflow system to the Cruise Missile program. While at DEC I was the Chairman of the Unigraphics Users group for several years.

My career started at Computervision as a systems engineer in the early days of Computer Aided Design (CAD) with CADDS 3 and the CGP-100 and progressed through CADDS 5 and the APU. I traveled extensively throughout the USA and Europe installing systems and solving system (software and hardware) issues.

I lead the development of the newly created consulting organization. Back then, service from CV was free. My job was to convince customers to pay for service. We developed the strategies and methodologies (people, process and technology) for implementing Product Data Management (PDM). I wrote a two small books while at CV, The EDM / PDM Buyers Guide. The Business of Acquiring and Implementing EDM / PDM Systems and Product Development Process Innovation ...The Key to Manufacturing Excellence in the ?90s.

With McDonnell Douglas Corporation (now Boeing) I managed the Eastern Region Technical Support group and added Unigraphics, 5 axis machining and APT to my knowledge.