From Staff & Wire Reports

AKRON, OHIO -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s virtual design technology has earned a 2006 CIO 100 award from CIO magazine.

The annual award program recognizes global organizations that “exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology,” according to CIO magazine.

“The CIO 100 award recognizes IT's contributions in fueling Goodyear's new product engine,” said Stephanie Wernet, Goodyear's vice president of information technology and chief information officer.

Goodyear designs and tests tires virtually using a “massively parallel cluster” with hundreds of processors, a capability made possible through the company's partnership with Sandia National Laboratories.

Thanks to this virtual technology, Goodyear has been able to quickly launch new products, including its Assurance line of passenger car tires, new additions to its Fortera and Wrangler light truck and SUV tires and the new Eagle with ResponseEdge and carbon fiber technology performance touring tire.

"Computational analysis tools have completely changed the way we develop tires," said Joseph Gingo, Goodyear's executive vice president, quality systems and chief technical officer. "It has created a distinct competitive advantage for Goodyear, as we can deliver more innovative new tires to market in a shorter time frame."

“Year after year, the CIO 100 award recipients serve as industry role models for business and IT excellence,” said Abbie Lundberg, CIO editor in chief. “This year's winners are particularly remarkable for their ability to translate IT innovation into business value and solid ROI.”

Complete coverage of the 2006 awards will be published in the August 15 issue of CIO magazine and will also be available online at www.cio.com on Aug. 15.

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