Concord, MA, May 4, 2004 - Over the past decade, software tools have become available that assist with management and support of electronic design projects, but only a few have kept pace with the degree of complexity and shear size of the design databases introduced by next generation SoC (Silicon on a chip) design. A recent study issued by Gantry Group found that one such solution, Synchronicity Developer Suite, is widely used by leading electronics firms for design project collaboration and management. These companies are achieving a strong positive ROI as a result of both cost reduction and the ability to attract more revenue.
Gantry Group conducted a series of interviews with Synchronicity customers who have been using Developer Suite for at least one year to capture differences in workflow processes before and after implementation. Customers were unanimous in their claim that Developer Suite is a key-enabling factor for bidding on multi-site design projects, which are a requirement for executing complex next generation SoC projects. Aside from serving as the driving infrastructure for design collaboration and management, customers viewed Developer Suite as the standard for deployment of Release Management best practices - a set of design and management processes that ensure structured communication, data transfer, and overall project visibility.
"In studying the ROI value drivers of Synchronicity Developer Suite implementations, we determined that while proactive notifications and a reduction in configuration errors significantly raised engineering productivity, profitability was also enhanced by getting to market faster," said Dawna Paton, a Managing Partner at Gantry Group. "One of the major challenges facing semiconductor companies is completing designs that have grown a 1000-fold more complex in the last twenty years without hiring additional engineers. By boosting engineer productivity, Developer Suite helps companies to manage the huge growth in complexity even with constrained human and financial resources."
Synchronicity Developer Suite is a software solution that serves as the infrastructure for the deployment of enterprise-wide Release Management best practices for design collaboration and management. All aspects of the design process and associated data are managed within a single, centrally managed database, eliminating the use of multiple ad hoc data management tools and numerous private copies of data files. Key functional areas include: hierarchical project management, structured data transfer, and the ability to quickly compare design files to identify and resolve issues.
As part of its research, Gantry Group found multiple areas of return on Developer Suite investment from the customers surveyed:
| Developer Suite Benefits | Value Contribution |
| Reduced configuration errors | Fewer design cycles per project |
| Ability to manage multi-site, complex projects | Superior competitive advantage |
| Reduction in re-spin frequency | Avoided costs |
| Ability to hit Fab windows | Faster time to market |
| Real-time visibility into design projects | Greater product quality |
| Legacy IP Sharing | Reduced development times |
| Implementation of Release Management Best Practices | Greater customer satisfaction |
| Single, unified database | Faster assembly of IP at tape-out |
Additional return areas included enhanced revenue opportunities through support for large, complex projects and repeat sales, reduction in costs from re-spin incidences, and decreasing the time spent by engineers fixing false-builds from several weeks to one person-day. Avoided revenue loss from late market entry and avoided labor costs from delays also figured prominently in customer experiences.
This study provides compelling evidence that Synchronicity Developer Suite customers are gaining net positive return by changing their design processes. While spending more time on project management, customers are able to control costly design delays and improve product quality. Electronics products companies with Developer Suite can offer a similar comfort to their customers as the ISO 9000 certification for quality assurance.
About Gantry Group
The Gantry Group is the only management consulting firm specializing in technology ROI. The Gantry Group's ROI impact analyses are validated by primary market research to ensure accurate capture of the real value drivers and costs. With over 200 technology clients, 3,000 business process interviewers and profiles in their knowledge base, and more than 1,000 ROI business processes and value drivers modeled, Gantry offers its clients the greatest depth and breadth of ROI experience and invaluable objectivity. Since 1997 Gantry Group has provided ROI Calculators, Benchmark Studies, White Papers, Case Studies and ROI Sales Training Materials for hundreds of technology companies in healthcare, financial services, mobile/wireless and business process optimization. Gantry Group's client list of technology vendors includes leading IT vendors such as PeopleSoft, McKesson Health Solutions, Thomson Media, palmOne, Xerox, Politzer & Haney, and Best Software. For more information on The Gantry Group and the services they provide visit www.gantrygroup.com
Gantry Group is a trademark of Gantry Group LLC of Concord, MA.
Synchronicity is a registered trademark and Synchronicity Developer Suite is a trademark of Synchronicity Software Inc.
# # #