ESC Open House

The Enterprise Systems Center

Lehigh University

The Collaboratory at the Enterprise Systems Center, Lehigh University

About Us

 

25 Years of Contracted Systems Consulting with Local and National Companies

           The Enterprise Systems Center (ESC), located at Lehigh University, is an organization committed to enriching students’ education while working to make its clients in industry more efficient and increasingly competitive.  The ESC employs students, professors, and professional engineers to work in teams capable of tackling a variety of real world industry situations.  Participation in these work teams provides students with a level of work experience representative of what they will encounter following graduation.

 

 

Mission Statement

 

             “The Enterprise Systems Center is committed to helping students learn while simultaneously providing value for our clients.  We believe that our research should be driven by industry needs and enabled by close partnerships and collaboration.”

                                       - Dr. Emory W. Zimmers

                                       Director, Enterprise Systems Center

                                      

Objectives

 

             - to fuse student experiential learning and industry

               value creation

             - to enable collaboration among education, industry,

               and government partners through the use of

               advanced technology

             - to create, apply, and expand knowledge

             - to advance research and scholarship relating to

               enterprise systems

 

Our History

 

             Since receiving its first Bell Labs graphics terminal in 1973, the Enterprise Systems Center (ESC) has been engaged in the development of new knowledge and the exchange of information among university, government, and industry partners.  Since its inception, the ESC has completed more than 400 projects with over 1,000 partners and has had over 500 student participants in the last five years.  The ESC is currently a 2-3 million dollar a year operation.  Through traditionally focusing on regional partnerships with national impact, the ESC is becoming increasingly involved with national and multinational companies and organizations.

 

The Evolution of the

Enterprise Systems Center

 

1973      Received first graphics terminal from Bell Labs

1976      Computer-Aided Manufacturing Laboratory founded

1984      The first Ben Franklin Technology Partnership project

             initiates

1985      Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory (CIM              Lab) dedicated in renovated Mohler Laboratory

1991      Agile/virtual enterprise strategies were developed by

             the Iaccoca Institute for the Department of Defense

             to determine requirements for U.S. industry to

             maintain defense readiness and regain global

             competitiveness

1995      Enterprise Systems Center formally established at

             Lehigh University

1998      Initial corporate sponsorship of Collaboratory initiative

 

 

The Enterprise Systems Center:

Improving Industry and Education in Pennsylvania

 

Expertise

             We go beyond traditional manufacturing practices in the pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage.  With our assistance, our clients reduce costs, increase revenue, and achieve industry leading positions.

Support

             For students, we offer integrated learning experiences built on progressive responsibility and contribution to real-world company projects.  Students who work for the ESC gain leadership skills and valuable industry experience.

Competency Training

             The ESC team works closely with its partners to ensure long-term self-sufficiency.  We become an extension of your organization, supporting strategic and tactical objectives.