NEW YORK–Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today announced that it has earned a spot on the 2011
InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation’s most
innovative users of business technology.
Alcoa was recognized for innovative use of IT business analytics that
helped the company achieve cost reductions during the economic downturn
in 2009, and for designing a new suite of mobile equipment for executive
management that resulted in productivity increases with very little
incremental cost over standard mobile configurations.
The IT business analytics enabled the company’s procurement organization
to quickly identify spend reductions, and consolidation and optimization
opportunities supporting Alcoa’s cost reduction objectives. The group
also developed an inventory management solution that drove significant
reductions in days-on-hand for inventory across several businesses.
In addition, Alcoa’s IT team developed predictive analytics capabilities
used by the global credit organization to manage working capital. At the
same time, it executed an “Executive Productivity Environment,” which
includes a fully mobile tablet PC, with dramatic increases in speed,
connectivity, video conferencing, IP phone system linkage and security.
“During one of the most difficult economic times Alcoa has endured, the
Global IT organization was able to work to reduce an already benchmark
cost structure by 30 percent and at the same time deliver much needed
innovation to enable the business to manage cash through the downturn,”
said Nancy Wolk, Alcoa Chief Information Officer.
“For 23 years, the InformationWeek 500 has chronicled and honored the
most innovative users of business technology,” said InformationWeek
Editor In Chief Rob Preston. “In this day and age, however, being
innovative isn’t enough. Companies and their IT organizations need to
innovate faster than ever before to stay a step or two ahead of their
customers, partners, and competitors. This year’s ranking placed special
emphasis on those high-octane business technology innovators.”
InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation’s most innovative users
of information technology with its annual 500 listing and also tracks
the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of
America’s best-known companies. The InformationWeek 500 rankings are
unique among corporate rankings as it spotlights the power of innovation
in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT
spenders.
Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online at www.informationweek.com/iw500/.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated
aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of
alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry,
Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace,
automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.