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Textile Management Software Increases Speed of R&D for New Army Materials and Fabrics
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BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Imagine a world where software helps us to make brighter inventions and gets new products to market faster. That world is upon us at US Army Natick Soldier Center where a new software product developed by TEXbase of Bozeman, Mont., was developed and tested. The software can reduce direct labor by 55 percent and greatly improve the speed with which new textiles can be engineered for Army use.
TEXbase software is currently hosted through subscription via the Internet, but for security reasons, Natick wanted to evaluate a version of the software that was installed on its premises, which ensured internal control of its database. Through a special collaboration called a CRADA (cooperative research and development agreement), the TechLink Center, a Department of Defense funded technology transfer organization, brokered the partnership between TEXbase and the Natick Soldier Center for joint development and testing of an installed version of the proprietary Advanced Textiles R&D software. One of the Natick Soldier Center missions is to assure a material edge for the 21st century warfighter, and it has responsibility for developing advanced textiles for personal comfort and protection, and for integration of textiles into battlefield systems.
Under the cooperative R&D agreement TEXbase supplied its novel software, installed the database, and provided training in its use to the lab personnel. Natick provided feedback on the utility, functionality, and special needs of the laboratory and helped TEXbase customize its product for the site. In the latest analysis of the project, the TEXbase Advance Textiles R&D software had improved Natick's speed of R&D, project reporting, and analytical capabilities of management. The net effect of these improvements is an increase in the efficiency of operation and a reduction in the overall cost of engineering new materials for the Army. TEXbase was also able to introduce and implement tablet PC compatibility along with the Advanced Textiles R&D software for Natick. Tablet PCs allow users to directly input information into a personal computer by using a pen to enter data on a special computer tablet. The use of the tablet PC completely eliminates paper and pencil and removes an entire step in the project reporting process. Overall, the step-saving software and tablet PC compatibility resulted in a 55 percent reduction in direct labor required to test, document, calculate, and report findings in the engineering of new Army materials.
For TEXbase, the joint R&D project with the Army helped the company to create an installed version of its software and improve its overall usability and functionality with specific feedback from Natick. The improvements were made to what TEXbase calls its "Lab Data Manager" solution, one of six different solutions for textile professionals in all parts of the textile development supply chain, from raw material manufacturers to brand name wholesalers.
TEXbase serves customers in six countries and clients throughout the material development supply chain. TEXbase's customers include polymer (raw material) manufacturers such as NatureWorks, fiber producers such as Wellman, the fabric manufacturer Deer Creek, and brand owner NAU, one of TEXbase's newest clients, located in Portland, Ore.
About TEXbase
TEXbase provides technical textile and apparel companies with software that streamlines product development, quality control, and marketing efforts, thereby enhancing product data management (PDM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. TEXbase Online offers the most powerful textile laboratory information management system (LIMS) on the planet. From concept through production, TEXbase accelerates textile innovations. Located in the Advanced Technology Park, 2048 Analysis Dr., Ste. D, Bozeman, MT 59718, (406) 582-8874, email to: MoreInfo@TEXbase.com, www.TEXbase.com
CONTACTS:
Joe Walkuski, CEO
TEXbase
406-582-8874
joe@TEXbase.com
www.TEXbase.com
Dan Swanson, Technology Manager
TechLink
406-994-7736
dss@montana.edu
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