Bosch Targets “Quantum Leap in Production Planning” with DELMIA Process Engineer

Bosch, a major automotive supplier, has invested in DELMIA process planning solutions to meet the requirements outlined for DaimlerChrysler’s “Digital Factory” initiative.

Fellbach, Germany, and Auburn Hills Mich., USA - July 31, 2003 - Delmia Corp., a Dassault Systèmes company (Nasdaq: DASTY: Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), today announced that Bosch, a major automotive supplier, has invested in DELMIA process planning solutions to meet the requirements outlined for DaimlerChrysler’s “Digital Factory” initiative. Bosch celebrated the introduction of its Cooperative Engineering program (COPE), with DELMIA™ Process Engineer at its core, as a “quantum leap in production planning”. The COPE program offers computer-aided production planning in parallel with product development.

Benefits of simulated production planning include the identification and elimination of potential problems in a virtual environment, before they become real and incur damage and costs. DELMIA Process Engineer is compliant with the essential principles of the Bosch Production System. Standardized planning has proven to help identify weaknesses in the concept and design of production manufacturing facilities early in the process, saving both time and money.

Early results of DaimlerChrysler’s efforts toward the Digital Factory have shown cost reductions of up to 30 percent in some areas of vehicle planning. DaimlerChrysler recognizes the value of DELMIA’s role and is intent on developing its supplier base to pursue this initiative. The true potential of all cost reduction opportunities will be realized only when the entire process chain and all involved partners are integrated into the system.

“Involvement in all product lifecycle processes at an early stage with guaranteed global data exchange will increasingly affect the quality of planning and production processes,” said Raimund Menges, CEO, Delmia GmbH. “There is no doubt that tools such as COPE and DELMIA Process Engineer will become firmly entrenched as key technologies – particularly in the automotive industry – on the way to a comprehensive Digital Factory. Suppliers aiming to remain competitive will have to prepare to handle this issue.”

DELMIA Process Engineer provides individual methods for production planning through seamless sharing of information via a single integrated data model referred to as the DELMIA PPR Hub for Manufacturing. Product design, logistics planning, cost estimates during product development, workplace design, time management and flow simulation are all accessible and updated in real time in the PPR Hub.

As processes become more complex with product variety and the number of model variants increasing, it is critical that all links in the product lifecycle chain – starting with the very first idea – be of one accord. All sequences must be digitally reproduced in CAD with the common data then used to virtually simulate production concurrently with product development, prior to any real part being produced.

DELMIA's series of successes with automotive manufacturers such as DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, and General Motors, is now followed by numerous projects with suppliers such as Bosch. The close connection between CATIA® -- the CAD world market leader – and DELMIA -- with its extensive experience in assembly optimization, has made the software an ideal choice for many companies.