In IHS, the globally operating analysis and information specialist from the USA, iPoint-systems has gained an important sales and service partner for the iPoint Conflict Minerals Platform (iPCMP). In addition, iPoint has gained access to IHS' comprehensive product databases for its own software solutions. In February, both partners signed a corresponding contract.
IHS employs more than 8,000 people in 31 countries and publishes information on regulatory guidelines such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). IHS' comprehensive database contains information on more than 400 million components that are used in commercial and military products. In 2012, the information company had a turnover of approximately USD 1.5 billion.
With IHS, iPoint, the world's leading software and consulting partner for environmental product compliance and sustainability, expands its market presence in the USA and taps into other industries, including the aerospace, the military and security as well as the pharmaceutical sector. Existing iPoint customers will benefit immediately from the cooperation: iPoint will incorporate the information on customer-relevant product and parts data contained in the IHS product databases directly into its software solutions. The data provides information on which raw materials were used to manufacture the components. For manufacturing companies, the information is necessary in order to avoid violating national and international guidelines and specifications such as the Conflict Minerals law, RoHS and REACH and to fulfill reporting obligations.
The combination of IHS' comprehensive material and compliance information with iPoint's software solutions for the collection, management, aggregation and reporting of product data along the supply chain offers customers incomparable added value for compliance with reporting obligations. "The cooperation allows IHS and iPoint to combine their individual strengths and thus harness synergy effects for our customers," says Jörg Walden, CEO of iPoint-systems. "In addition, thanks to the partnership, we can tap the market potential in the USA and set ourselves even further apart from the competition, especially in the field of Conflict Minerals."