Boeing Arms Itself with IBM and Dassault Systemes Technologies As Strategic Weapons for Joint Strike Fighter Design Contract

IBM and Dassault Systemes (NASDAQ: DASTY), in conjunction with Boeing Corporation, announced today they are deploying an e-business product development solution that gives the aircraft manufacturer a first-strike advantage in its efforts to win the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) contract.

Paris (France) and Seattle, Washington (USA), July 25, 2000--The initial project began twelve months ago, and includes the implementation of new IBM servers, workstations and DB2 Universal Database, along with CATIA computer-aided design solutions and ENOVIA product lifecycle management solutions from Dassault Systemes. The consulting and implementation portion of the project was conducted simultaneously, and included training for Boeing designers, engineers and manufacturing personnel.

CATIA and ENOVIAVPM running on IBM RS/6000 servers and workstations produced the infrastructure Boeing required to deploy a more efficient e-business environment for the JSF program. This enabled the company to simultaneously develop the different JSF design variants required for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, and the United Kingdom Royal Navy.

"The integration processes between CATIA and ENOVIAVPM allowed us to rapidly mature our JSF designs," said Jim O'Neill, air vehicle director, Boeing JSF. "These capabilities, along with our integrated One Team approach, result in a highly mature aircraft that meets all of our customers' requirements."

In the past twelve months Boeing has demonstrated to the United States Government the highly effective product data management capabilities of ENOVIAVPM that drive commonality across the multi-mission fighter, which is essential to the success of the JSF program. Within the next few months, Boeing intends to upgrade the JSF product development solution to squeeze out even more costs and time savings. The solution upgrade will make the JSF program more efficient by integrating the design, build and support processes on the Dassault Systemes V5 architecture, which is based on state-of-the-art technologies and standards, including STEP, Java, CORBA and OLE.

"We have always preferred to optimize our solutions around the requirements of innovative, visionary companies like Boeing," commented Joel Lemke, CEO, ENOVIA Corp. "Boeing's engineers and our application and process consultants are working together to develop the best solutions for Boeing, answering their needs for today and for the future."

Along with the design technology, Boeing turned to consultants at IBM and Dassault Systemes. IBM's Global Security and Privacy Consulting Practice is helping to develop the security policies, architecture and assessment methods for the supporting information systems of the JSF program. IBM's security consultants are assisting the JSF team to help ensure that information systems that process critical JSF mission data provide appropriate protection of the data and meet the rigorous security certification requirements of the United States Government.

IBM and Dassault Systemes consultants are also working with Boeing to re-engineer development processes and end-user methodologies in preparation for the next phase of the JSF program, called Engineering and Manufacturing Development.

"By laying the foundation of product lifecycle management now, Boeing is building a strong competitive advantage in its bid to secure the JSF contract. IBM will support Boeing every step of the way with our experience and expertise in consulting and solutions for the aerospace industry," said Martin Jetter, Jr., general manager, Global Product Lifecycle Management, IBM.