Ford´s Power Train Operations-changing the simulation environment

This paper discusses the changes that were required to Ford´s Power Train Operations (PTO) simulation environment to ensure the maximum benefit was gained from the investment made in simulation. Three key elements have been identified as essential to maximizing use. These were availability, support, and the right tools for the job. The background driving the change was that simulation had been a key tool in the planning and process improvement of Power Train manufacturing engineering facilities since the early 80s. The original deployment allowed user areas to be responsible for the selection, purchase and maintenance of their own systems. This approach resulted in low utilization, a high unit cost and a diversity of products used. The achievement was to transform an isolated approach taken on two continents into a single one across 5 continents while significantly reducing the unit cost. The method was to select a single software solution that could be distributed across the Ford intranet to anyone in PTO