SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Eurofighter consortium has upgraded its IFS Applications-based system, which is supporting the Industrial Exchange and Repair Service (IERS) for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

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The upgrade of IFS Applications for IERS, which forms the basis for the aircraft's repair and overhaul solution, has refreshed key software components of the business solution, including changes to key performance indicators.

The upgrade also included the operating system, database and office automation applications. IFS Defense also worked with its partner T-Systems to procure, install, configure and test new servers along with supporting equipment and services at the main IT centre in the Eurofighter offices in Hallbergmoos near Munich.

The IERS system was initially developed at IFS Defense's ISO 9001 accredited Development Centre in London, based on IFS ERP software, modified to Eurofighter's specification. As well as providing the technical solution, IFS Defense provides services such as technical support, user training and a fully operational training system.

The Eurofighter Typhoon has been designed for ease of support over its full service life, and will deliver high operational availability together with low cost of ownership. IERS is a key component of the support solution and allows Eurofighter nations to track critical parts on the operating base or aircraft, through the industrial repair loop and transportation system. Performance-related functionality links payment for the exchange service to the supplier's performance, in terms of waiting times and number of defects per flying hour. Payments and / or penalties are also linked to agreed performance measurement criteria. The groundbreaking system covers all of the operating bases across Europe, the Eurofighter partner companies, over 60 suppliers and Eurofighter GmbH headquarters. The system, which went live in 2002 is now in use by some 300 users in Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.

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.

About Eurofighter GmbH

The Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced swing-role combat aircraft, developed by Europe's leading aerospace companies, Alenia Aeronautica, BAE SYSTEMS, EADS Deutschland and EADS CASA. Based in Hallbergmoos near Munich, Germany, Eurofighter GmbH is the Prime Contractor for the Eurofighter Typhoon responsible for all aspects of the Weapon System including the delivery of the sophisticated training facilities to support the system.

Eurofighter has the largest order book of any next generation fighter aircraft, 620 aircraft have been ordered by the Partner Air Forces. Eurofighter has secured a first export contract with Austria for 18 aircraft.

Eurofighter Typhoon is in service with the four partner air forces since Spring 2004. More than 110 aircraft have been delivered to date.

About IFS

IFS (OMXS: IFS), the global enterprise applications company, provides solutions that enable organizations to respond quickly to market changes. The solutions allow resources to be used in a more agile way to achieve better business performance and competitive advantage.

IFS was founded in 1983 and now has 2,600 employees worldwide. With IFS Applications(TM), now in its seventh generation, IFS pioneered component-based enterprise resources planning (ERP) software with IFS Applications, now in its seventh generation. IFS' component architecture provides solutions that are easier to implement, run, and upgrade. IFS Applications is available in 54 countries, in 22 languages.

IFS has over 600,000 users across seven key vertical sectors: aerospace & defense; automotive; high-tech; industrial manufacturing; process industries; construction, contracting & service management; and utilities & telecom. IFS Applications provides extended ERP functionality, including CRM, SCM, PLM, CPM, enterprise asset management, and MRO capabilities.

More details can be found at http://www.ifsworld.com/.

IFS Applications is a trademark of Industrial and Financial Systems, IFS AB.

All other referenced company or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. For further information, please contact: Manni Svensson Phone: +46 (0)708 705 506 E-mail: manni.svensson@ifsab.se John Norton Phone : 440-670-5372 E-mail : john.norton@ifsna.com

CONTACT: Manni Svensson, +46 (0)708 705 506, manni.svensson@ifsab.se, or
John Norton, +1-440-670-5372, john.norton@ifsna.com, both of IFS

Web site: http://www.ifsworld.com/