Today at National Manufacturing Week 2005, Microsoft Corp. announced its Peak Performance Initiative designed to help manufacturers accelerate insight through advanced analysis services, drive innovation through collaboration, and improve performance via increased visibility into operations across the manufacturing value chain. Microsoft and its partners are delivering mission-critical solutions focused on four areas: new product development performance, plant floor operations performance, global value chain performance, and sales and customer performance.

Based on extensive research and feedback from partners, customers and industry experts, the Peak Performance Initiative employs a number of key Microsoft� technologies -- including the .NET Framework, Microsoft Office, SQL Server (TM) , SharePoint� Portal Server and Project Server 2003 -- as well as a variety of open industry standards to provide a streamlined and cost-effective opportunity for manufacturing customers to take full advantage of their legacy investments. By leveraging Web services to connect key systems, customers and organizations across the manufacturing value chain, the Peak Performance Initiative fosters collaboration between teams and removes the barriers that stifle innovation and competitiveness in the manufacturing industry.