ARC STAR (for Solutions That Accelerate Results) is a cloud-based, domain-specific service which helps users to define the process along with criteria for selecting strategic suppliers. Initially, ARC STAR is being made available for advanced process control, analytics for operational excellence, batch control systems, collaborative production management for discrete and process industries, and distributed control systems. The tool eventually will be available for most key business, automation and manufacturing software application areas, ARC said. The service guides users through a step-by-step process of selecting and evaluating suppliers and their products against specific application and cultural requirements. Steps include project and team definition, reviewing and editing ARC-provided selection criteria and supplier questions, and developing a final ranking of request-for-information (RFI) results.
