SEAKR Engineering improves project management power and government reporting capabilities with IFS

IFS, the global enterprise software company, announced today that SEAKR Engineering, which develops solid state memory systems and other products for embedded computing in the aerospace and defense industry, is implementing IFS Applications to help it better serve its growing roster of major OEM customers.

SEAKR’s products include solid state memory systems similar to the flash memory used in iPods and other consumer devices – but made rugged enough to capture mission-critical data in the demanding environment of outer space. The company’s products have been used in planetary probes, satellites, orbiting laboratories and space shuttles. Since SEAKR works on government programs in partnership with major aerospace and defense OEMs, government-mandated reporting methods like earned value management (EVM) are important. And since SEAKR develops its technologies for each specific application, but still has some standard parts, it needs an enterprise environment optimized for mixed manufacturing modes, including engineer-to-order, make-to-order, make-to-stock and kitting of complex electronic assemblies.

“SEAKR is committed to doing what it takes to exceed the expectations of our OEM customers, and to prepare for further growth,” SEAKR Vice President Eric Anderson said. “Each project that we undertake is dynamic, demanding, and requires excellent ongoing communication between engineering and manufacturing functions. The underlying product design for each project changes frequently as the project evolves. With IFS Applications, the activities of our various departments will be driven directly and seamlessly within the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) of the project. This will make us more efficient, allow us to serve our customers better and help us to continue our trajectory of growth.”

“IFS delivers software solutions to some of the same major aerospace and defense OEMs that SEAKR serves with space avionics electronics,” IFS North America President and CEO Cindy Jaudon said. “IFS Applications is not only a leading enterprise software product in the aerospace and defense industry, but is the only product in the industry flexible enough to meet the needs of enterprise-level companies as well as great growth-oriented companies like SEAKR and scale effortlessly with them as they expand. In order to profitably grow, these companies need to be able to run the same sophisticated processes as the industry giants, and we can help them do that.”

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 US, British, and Norwegian 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, and GE Transportation.