For example, Mercedes-Benz USA has been able to double, to 88 percent, the average percentage of spare parts available at its dealers by the time a new model is launched. Project has "helped us make sure the cages arrive at the zoo before the animals," Huang said.

Project has also helped the company's 200 users centralize data in a single repository instead of keeping key information in Excel files on their PCs or in handwritten notes. But although Huang said he is impressed by Project 2007's new features, he added that his company has yet to start testing the software and currently has no upgrade plans.