The VEPRIM models deals with the relationship between Virtual Enterprise (VE) and Electronic Commerce. VEPRIM does not involve trade in goods and services, but trade of information between enterprises or internal within the enterprise. Therefore, the main core of VEPRIM is "trade" in information.
There is a need for continuous development and information sharing in the manufacturing industry throughout the European Union. Further developments and integration of IT technologies, such as "Electronic information trade" are therefore becoming more and more important and widely used in manufacturing industry. This will also generate integration to other sectors in the future. The changes that manufacturing industry faces and the new implementation of technologies as Electronic Commerce, upgrades the European manufacturing industry to more competitive level and increases the possibilities for new work opportunities, special for SME's. VEPRIM focuses on the realisation of a platform consisting of models and S/W. It includes experience and intelligence of using standards, enabling any enterprise in manufacturing industries to achieve reduced lead times and reduced costs from customer requirements to customer satisfaction through improved availability, communication and quality of product information.
By improving the Logistics Support Analysis (LSA) functions through information trade, VEPRIM reduces the Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) costs and time wages achieved, up to at least 50%. It improves the quality and reduces the process time of the technical product information (i.e delivery time, support training, maintenance etc.) to sub-vendors, manufacturers, logistics and consumers. In addition, it also reduces the time to find the information and eliminates the errors by improving the LSA functions. Such scope has an effect on the overall costs and productivity.