I am very pleased to share that Applied Materials was honored this week as one of the top technology innovators in America earning a spot on the 2010 InformationWeek 500 list. Making this list is a significant achievement because it identifies the nation’s most innovative users of business technology, and this is the fifth year in a row that Applied has been named on the list.

Applied was recognized for the significant enhancements in our ability to collaborate with suppliers and drive supply chain efficiencies. Hundreds of suppliers are integrated into an online collaboration tool, improving buyer efficiency, enabling lean manufacturing initiatives, and increasing the number of orders suppliers can manage each day, among other benefits.

The award focuses on collaboration capabilities introduced in 2009 and earlier. And while this is an important honor, Applied Materials continues to make improvements in this area. For example, last month the company introduced new features that eliminate the need for e-mail or fax communication with suppliers, moving all communications to the online portal. More than 1500 users across 250 suppliers are using the tool.

For more information on the list visit the Information Week 500 web site.