Kinaxis Inc., provider of an on-demand Response Management service, has signed a partnership agreement with Solectron Corporation, a leading provider of integrated electronic supply chain services including design, manufacturing and aftermarket services. Under the agreement, Solectron's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers can take advantage of information from its extended Supply chain network by adopting an integrated link to RapidResponse™ systems deployed at Solectron manufacturing sites. Solectron has integrated RapidResponse in its manufacturing operations and is taking the next step to offer visibility through the supply chain network for its customers. The partnership will enable OEMs to respond to volatile end-customer demands and market changes faster and more effectively for improved operational performance.

Coordination between OEMs and contract manufacturers is critical to each company's survival, differentiation and success. Leading electronics supply chain partners, like Solectron, recognize the value of effective supply chain visibility, collaboration and response capabilities with their customers. As such, Solectron is presenting a more coordinated working relationship with its customers through the use of RapidResponse.

"In today's hyper-competitive business environment, speed matters and supply chains are the new competitive weapon," said Marty Neese, executive vice president, Operations, Solectron. "Our award-winning Lean Six Sigma manufacturing and demand-driven supply chain solutions enable customers to quickly respond to rapidly changing end-customer demand. RapidResponse complements our supply chain expertise to connect directly with our customers, enabling them to make strategic decisions faster and more economically through enhanced visibility."

RapidResponse empowers OEMs and contract manufacturers with multi-enterprise visibility and collaborative decision support tools to respond with speed and confidence to constant changes across the extended supply network. With RapidResponse, front-line supply chain staff can access detailed manufacturing information in an easy-to-use spreadsheet interface automatically populated with live data feeds from multiple ERP and other data systems. Iterative and instant data modeling capabilities allow users to propose and share countless "what-if" alternatives to parties both inside and outside the enterprise when faced with ever-changing conditions.