'Connected enterprise' pitch gets mixed response from PeopleSoft users

Computerworld - LAS VEGAS -- At its PeopleSoft Leadership Summit 2002 conference last week, PeopleSoft Inc. also focused on real-time data sharing across all the operations of a company. CEO Craig Conway said the Web-based PeopleSoft 8 applications can be used to share data on an enterprisewide basis while lowering software maintenance and training costs.
That idea resonated with some users, but they had differing opinions on how important real-time data integration really is.
"We're focused on how to get information to the people that need it," said Todd Bridwell, assistant manager of information systems at Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Inc. in Erlanger, Ky. But the automaker is taking incremental steps to achieve the required integration. "You can't do it all at once," Bridwell said.
Richard Bilancia, vice president of IT at Golden, Colo.-based CoorsTek Inc., a manufacturer of components for the semiconductor industry, said real-time data flows aren't necessary across the board. CoorsTek runs a build-to-order manufacturing plant, and Bilancia said it makes sense to give customers the ability to check the status of products online.
But information such as cash flow data can "be day-old and probably be good enough," he added. CoorsTek is in the process of replacing six legacy systems with PeopleSoft 8's finance, supply chain and planning modules.
On the other hand, Richard Beers, director of supply chain technology at manufacturer Corning Inc. in Corning, N.Y., said he wants not just access to enterprisewide data, but also alerts when there are aberrations.
Beers said he's looking to integrate Corning's PeopleSoft-based systems with an application that can monitor business processes and detect incipient problems so they can be addressed quickly. While PeopleSoft doesn't offer event management software itself, Beers said that he's working with PeopleSoft and a third-party vendor to tie in that kind of tool.

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