Dassault Systèmes

Redmond, Wash., U.S., and Paris, France – Nov. 17, 2004 - Microsoft Corp. and Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Nasdaq “DASTY,” Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced a multiyear, global strategic alliance to deliver Dassault Systèmes’ product lifecycle management (V5 PLM) and 3D design solutions to companies of all sizes taking advantage  of the Microsoft® software platform.

Dassault Systèmes’ software enables companies to simulate products virtually in 3D from conception to maintenance across the extended enterprise, reducing the time and cost to develop products and increasing innovation. By capitalizing on the Microsoft platform, the companies intend to deliver greater customer value through solutions that are easy to use, deploy and maintain with reduced ownership and integration costs. This alliance enables a far broader set of customers to realize the benefits of 3D collaboration and PLM.

The alliance brings together Dassault Systèmes’ strength in 3D software with Microsoft’s platform, which includes Web services development via Microsoft .NET, real-time collaboration, and both the Windows® client and Windows Server™ operating systems. Dassault Systèmes’ V5 PLM and 3D collaborative solutions, which currently run on both the Windows client and Windows Server platforms, will leverage the Microsoft platform across a broad range of current and future Microsoft products.

“Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes share a common vision of democratizing 3D and making PLM more pervasive,” said Bernard Charlès, president and CEO of Dassault Systèmes. “This alliance focuses on innovation to deliver an easy-to-use 3D global collaborative environment to create, simulate, manufacture and service any physical goods.”

Dassault Systèmes’ industry-leading PLM solutions include CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, and SMARTEAM; its 3D design solutions include the SolidWorks product line. The alliance will result in the integration of these solutions with Microsoft .NET, SQL Server™, BizTalk® Server, SharePoint® Portal Server, Windows “Longhorn” and Windows XP 64-bit Edition.

“We are delighted to bring together the full power and reach of the Microsoft platform with Dassault Systèmes’ collaborative solutions,” said Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft. “The winning combination of Microsoft .NET and Dassault Systèmes promises to make product lifecycle management accessible and affordable to a whole new set of customers in the manufacturing value chain.”

Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes have also agreed to explore opportunities to work together to encourage broad market adoption of XML for 3D applications across the design and graphics industry. The two companies will work with industry associations, other PLM software vendors, and 3D graphics technology companies to advance interoperability using common XML-based technologies.

The companies will also explore opportunities to work toward delivering fully integrated products in the field of automation. Through its DELMIA Automation product line, Dassault Systèmes enables companies to digitally define, control, and monitor the automated systems that control the factory floor.

A rebroadcast of the press conference to be held in Paris today will be available for viewing on Dassault Systèmes’ web site as of Thursday, Nov. 18, at 1pm Paris time (Central European Time).

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As world leader in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, the Dassault Systèmes group brings value to more than 70,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception to retirement. Its offering includes integrated PLM solutions for product development (CATIA®, DELMIA®, ENOVIA®, SMARTEAM®), mainstream product design tools (SolidWorks®), and 3D components (ACIS®) from Spatial Corp. Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges.

For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com

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Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The success of the agreements and products described above and the future operating results of Dassault Systèmes may differ from the results discussed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to factors that include, but are not limited to, risks associated with new versions and new products, the availability of Dassault Systèmes’ products and services, implementation of products and services, existence of errors or defects in products, rapid technological change, dependence on the Internet, significant current and expected additional competition, and the need to continue to expand product distribution and services offerings. Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of Dassault Systèmes are included in Dassault Systèmes’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at http://www.sec.gov/. Dassault Systèmes assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release.

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