"We work daily to improve operational reliability by focusing on the areas we control, and working with all our partners, " spokeswoman Kate Modolo said.

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In terms of reliability impact, more and more work is done in the lab, typically on a dynamometer (a device which measures force), to prove the major mechanical systems on the car.

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At least he's got some credible material to work with: Ford vehicles have performed well in independent quality and reliability studies.

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The GAARDIAN consortium, which completes its work this month, has developed equipment to provide real-time information about the reliability of GPS at airports or other sensitive locations using networks of probes.

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But tracking costs from one work center to another or entering shipping data for hundreds of packages before UPS arrives requires speed and reliability.

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For the tech vendors, the FinTech Lab is an opportunity to work directly with bank staff who are specialists in their technology and to learn what banks require in such areas as reliability and security.

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