ILOG ties up with IBM for MES

ILOG has signed an agreement with IBM to market ILOG Fab PowerOps(FPO) – ILOG’s solution for semiconductor production scheduling – to IBM’s manufacturing execution systems (MES)customers, among others.

IBM will market ILOG FPO under the ILOG brand name to its installed base of SiView, LCDView and other View MES product customers. The agreement between ILOG and IBM is expected to result in new product revenue opportunities and service engagements for both companies. The services will be provided through IBM Technology Collaboration Solutions and IBM Global Business Services, with supportfrom ILOG’s Professional Services group.

Already implemented in early stages, at IBM’s state-of-the-art 300 mm fab facility in East Fishkill, NY, in the photolithography and diffusion areas, ILOG FPO reduced cycle time by up to fifteen percent in those specific areas, and significantly reduced hot lot (urgent order) processing times as well. ILOG’s FPO also improved visibility over in-process fab status, resulting in a more efficient plant that is more responsive tochange.

“IBM is a leading technology provider to the semiconductor industry, so there is no better company from our perspective to market FPO in conjunction with their SiView and LCDView offerings,” said ILOG chairman and CEO, Pierre Haren. “This alliance with IBM will enable us to increase both our market reach and technology advantage, especially in Asia, where much of the growth in semiconductor manufacturing is happening.”

“We’ve already seen increases in fab productivity due to the relationship with ILOG,” said Dr. Elizabeth Williamson, IBM Director of 300mm Manufacturing Operations. “The enhanced dispatch scheduling capabilities that are provided by FPO have resulted in quantifiable benefits in IBM’s 300mm facility, resulting in faster time to market for our customers.”