Companies in the electronics supply chain ultimately need real-time content that is integrated with a robust Product Data Management (PDM) system.

Without question this battle has been time consuming and draining. How much better could the numbers have been if management had been freed up to focus on the business and not reading legal briefs?

This is a very exciting time for Cornerstone Capital Management and we are delighted to be a part of their team. They have aggressive plans to build on their success and grow to be a preeminent investment management company. We are impressed with their commitment to doing things in a first class fashion and are excited to help them raise the profile of their brand.

Suppliers don't want to run two lines. This will become a big issue for the industry because there is still a market need for those non-compliant legacy components.

The standard is critically important, as companies have been struggling over their materials information. They really need a format. The standard will be very positive for component suppliers delivering the information and for the OEMs and contract manufacturers [CM] that are consuming the information.

It would have been helpful if the standard was released many months ago. Companies have already done what they're going to do for July 1, 2006. But for year two, three and beyond, this standard will have real benefits.