Configuration Solutions donates $300,000 to engineering college
June 10, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences is receiving software valued at $309,000 from Kalamazoo-based Configuration Solutions, Inc.
The gift of the company's CS-Enterprise Suite software was made by Dale Colosky, chief executive officer of Configuration Solutions and a 1966 engineering graduate of WMU. Configuration Solutions is a leading developer of software for real-time collaboration, Product Lifecycle Management--or PLM--and configuration software.
Configuration Solutions plans to work with the engineering college to co-develop real-world applications, tapping into the knowledge and expertise of the University's CAD/CAM, engineering, marketing and manufacturing resources to develop and launch new applications that can provide revenue streams for both organizations.
"Dale is a true pioneer and what he brings to us is significant," says Dr. Michael B. Atkins, dean of the college. "He came to us with the idea that we could not only arm our students with leading-edge technology to link the classroom with proven, real-world technologies, but also introduced a longer-term entrepreneurial opportunity for the University through the concept of co-developing applications for the marketplace."
WMU's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences is moving this summer to the new Parkview Campus. Located in southwest Kalamazoo near the junction of I-94 and U.S. 131, the campus is also home to the Business Technology and Research Park, a joint effort of the University, the Kalamazoo community and Michigan Economic Development Corp., which has already attracted 12 tenants.
"This donation provides Western Michigan University with an additional resource that will help engineering and business students bridge the gap between their engineering studies and real-world applications related to supply-chain, marketing, design and manufacturing processes," says Colosky.
"On our side, we can more effectively leverage the assets of our technology through the University's expertise in the areas of engineering and applied sciences. Our plan is to co-develop and commercialize new applications in such areas as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM), as well as integrate these concepts with real-world manufacturing environments."
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu