Philadelphia, PA USA-London UK - April 14, 2005 - Today, Thomson Scientific, a business of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), is pleased to announced that TRW Automotive has chosen its Integrated Information Solutions to streamline their Intellectual Property (IP) research and management processes.
TRW, one of the world's top 10 automotive suppliers, now has a single integrated
research platform customized to meet the needs of its unique work groups. These
groups include engineers, IP legal staff and business analysts - and each group
uses the information in a way that is specific to their role. The platform embodies
global and enhanced content sets, including patents and scientific literature,
and will enable the addition of other content sets in the future. This customized
working environment promotes collaboration from first ideation through final disposition
of the innovation.
"The ability to customize and integrate the IP research and management
workflow in an R&D organization like TRW is critical to profitability. A
well-integrated, user-friendly workflow allows a more robust R&D pipeline
by supporting faster, more efficient innovation," said Gary Hermanson,
Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property and Licensing for TRW Automotive. "It
also allows deeper collaboration between workgroups which means, among other
advantages, that TRW focuses on patentable opportunities at the earliest stage
of innovation - setting the company on the right track in the marketplace. The
Thomson Integrated Information Solution gives us the customization, content
and collaboration we need so we can focus on profitability."
"While much notice is paid to those who patent the most, R&D can only
be deemed successful when it is profitable," said Brian Tyler, executive
vice president, Corporate Markets, Thomson Scientific. "It is not just
about the number of patents, there is an absolute requirement for profitability.
Collaborative access to patent data, journal literature, and conference proceedings
on a secure, customized platform with individualized workflows can help make
R&D efforts profitable."
The Thomson Integrated Information Solution offers a customized, collaborative
research and workflow platform; the scientific, technical and patent content
behind the platform; and the consulting expertise to tailor the solution to
a company's individual needs. Features include:
- Integrated content sets which bring together prior art and original patent
documents
- Intuitive searching options
- Document management functionality that allows users to share and annotate
their research within the privacy provided by their own firewall
- Alerts that become dynamic within the platform
- An interface customized to an organization's culture, customs and processes
- Database updates on a customized schedule
- Detailed usage reporting
- Flexible, multi-level permissions scheme
"We agree with the direction Thomson is taking with this solution and
the recent addition of the IHI product line makes the possibilities even more
exciting," Gary Hermanson explained further. "We are committed to
a long-term relationship with Thomson during which TRW will benefit from the
Thomson IP and technical expertise while, at the same time, have input into
the way the solution evolves. Thomson is now the sole vendor of IP research
and management solutions for TRW."
About TRW Automotive
With 2004 sales of $12.0 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's top
10 automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company,
through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 60,000 people in 24 countries.
TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist
systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety
systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening
systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. All references to "TRW
Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release
refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise
indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the Internet at www.trwauto.com
.
