THOMSON IP RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTION ENHANCES TRW AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION EFFORTS

 

Philadelphia, PA USA-London UK - April 14, 2005 — Today, Thomson Scientific, a business of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), is pleased to announced that TRW Automotive has chosen its Integrated Information Solutions to streamline their Intellectual Property (IP) research and management processes.

TRW, one of the world's top 10 automotive suppliers, now has a single integrated research platform customized to meet the needs of its unique work groups. These groups include engineers, IP legal staff and business analysts - and each group uses the information in a way that is specific to their role. The platform embodies global and enhanced content sets, including patents and scientific literature, and will enable the addition of other content sets in the future. This customized working environment promotes collaboration from first ideation through final disposition of the innovation.

"The ability to customize and integrate the IP research and management workflow in an R&D organization like TRW is critical to profitability. A well-integrated, user-friendly workflow allows a more robust R&D pipeline by supporting faster, more efficient innovation," said Gary Hermanson, Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property and Licensing for TRW Automotive. "It also allows deeper collaboration between workgroups which means, among other advantages, that TRW focuses on patentable opportunities at the earliest stage of innovation - setting the company on the right track in the marketplace. The Thomson Integrated Information Solution gives us the customization, content and collaboration we need so we can focus on profitability."

"While much notice is paid to those who patent the most, R&D can only be deemed successful when it is profitable," said Brian Tyler, executive vice president, Corporate Markets, Thomson Scientific. "It is not just about the number of patents, there is an absolute requirement for profitability. Collaborative access to patent data, journal literature, and conference proceedings on a secure, customized platform with individualized workflows can help make R&D efforts profitable."

The Thomson Integrated Information Solution offers a customized, collaborative research and workflow platform; the scientific, technical and patent content behind the platform; and the consulting expertise to tailor the solution to a company's individual needs. Features include:

  • Integrated content sets which bring together prior art and original patent documents
  • Intuitive searching options
  • Document management functionality that allows users to share and annotate their research within the privacy provided by their own firewall
  • Alerts that become dynamic within the platform
  • An interface customized to an organization's culture, customs and processes
  • Database updates on a customized schedule
  • Detailed usage reporting
  • Flexible, multi-level permissions scheme

"We agree with the direction Thomson is taking with this solution and the recent addition of the IHI product line makes the possibilities even more exciting," Gary Hermanson explained further. "We are committed to a long-term relationship with Thomson during which TRW will benefit from the Thomson IP and technical expertise while, at the same time, have input into the way the solution evolves. Thomson is now the sole vendor of IP research and management solutions for TRW."

About TRW Automotive

With 2004 sales of $12.0 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's top 10 automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 60,000 people in 24 countries. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the Internet at www.trwauto.com .


Thomson Reuters (www.thomsonreuters.com), with 2005 revenues of approximately $8.5 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate e-learning and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 40,500 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation’s common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).

Scientific is a business of Thomson Reuters. Its information solutions assist professionals at every stage of research and development—from discovery to analysis to product development and distribution. Thomson scientific information solutions can be found at www.scientific.thomson.com.