V-CES offers a multi facetted service comprising features as:

• Powerful internet browser accessed tool to assist the development of timely , accurate cost estimates (V-CES mentor) for more holistic, creative, resource efficient, and collaborative approaches to product development
• Training of novice cost engineers in all cost engineering techniques, e.g. parametric, bottom up, expert judgment based, and analogy based cost engineering-I earning from best practice cases for all cost engineering approaches/techniques
• One stop shop for public available information relevant to cost estimation leading to more creative, more timely fulfilment of cost engineering tasks
• Participation in a European virtual community to interact with colleagues and experts to learn from experiences of others and to establish informal and formal relationships
• user centred, multi lingual, virtual working and learning environment
• customisation to requirements of automotive, aerospace and semiconductor equipment industry.

Through V-CES services the users will need 25% less time to do accurate estimations. As a result, their companies benefit through the timely knowledge of their true bottom line costs and so gain a competitive edge. On a macro level, it will also make the best practice accessible to the suppliers and help achieve better OEM - supplier integration.

Overall, V-CES will strengthen Europe's competitive position by developing collaborative technologies and best practice methodologies for extended product development approaches, leveraging advanced information society.