Dassault Systèmes, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and MTECH Extend Partnership

Enhanced co-operation to support PLM research for Architectural, Engineering, and Construction Industry

Hong Kong, China and Paris, France - May 17, 2004 - Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and MTech Engineering Co. Ltd. (MTECH) will extend their academic partnership in order to make Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) technology available for teaching and research in the AEC (Architectural, Engineering and Construction) domain.

Under the co-operation agreement, Dassault Systèmes’ PLM Solutions including CATIA, SMARTEAM and DELMIA will be installed at the university’s Building and Real Estate Department digital laboratory to support Construction and Fabrication Digital Planning and Simulation.

Construction and Fabrication Digital Planning and Simulation provides a powerful modeling and simulation environment for the digital production, fabrication and assembly of construction components, including associated operational processes. It takes into account all of the variables in the project procurement process from feasibility analysis to maintenance management.

The objectives of the research project include:

• Customization for the construction industry of the Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solutions, which are already widely used in other industries for Process Digital Planning and Simulation

• Measurement of the usefulness of the developed Digital Planning and Simulation in the construction industry

• Creation of a digital Construction showcase for Dassault Systèmes’ PLM technology

“Design and construction periods for projects are getting increasingly intensive,” said professor Andrew N. Baldwin, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Land Use, Head of Department of Building and Real Estate, Chair Professor of Building, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. “Clients want to understand when their facilities will be ready and how they may be changed throughout the lifetime of the buidling. Using PLM Solutions from Dassault Systèmes, our experts can help ensure that construction organizations provide better solutions and enhanced value to the benefit of construction clients and the community.”

“The Virtual Prototyping initiative supports the use of PLM technologies beyond manufacturing,” said Francis Bernard, advisor to the president, Dassault Systèmes. “The 3D collaborative development environment, combined with the product data and lifecycle management capabilities of Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions, will greatly benefit the AEC industry by shortening project time-to-market, lowering execution risk, and driving innovation and enhancing project design quality.”

“Hong Kong manufacturers have embraced PLM technology for product development in domains such as electronics, electrical home appliances, machinery, toys, watches, audio/video equipment, and tooling. Now it is being extended to the AEC industry,” said Stephen Au, managing director of MTech Engineering Co., Ltd. “The project will lead the Hong Kong AEC industry into a new era of digitally-driven construction.”