Dassault Systèmes Teams with the University of Durham and Oregon State University on PLM Awareness Project

Universities’ joint digital enterprise research laboratory to promote PLM understanding with Dassault Systèmes technology

Paris, France – February, 25 2003 – Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced an educational partnership with the University of Durham (England) and Oregon State University (U.S.A) for the development of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) awareness.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dassault Systèmes will provide the universities with SMARTEAM®, as well as additional CATIA® and DELMIA™ products. In turn, the universities will promote PLM awareness, include PLM-related courses within their curricula, and develop new software applications.

The development of PLM awareness will be driven through the universities’ joint Global Digital Enterprise Research Laboratory (GDERL). Present on both campuses, the GDERL focuses on the development of Digital Enterprise Technology research and education. This focus embraces Dassault Systèmes’ products and vision of PLM. The GDERL currently uses DELMIA and CATIA V5.

“The University of Durham and Oregon State University are highly-respected institutions with close ties to industry in the U.K. and U.S.A.,” said Paul Maropoulos, Professor of Design and Manufacturing, University of Durham. “Product Lifecycle Management is vitally important in today’s rapidly changing business environment. Access to Dassault Systèmes’ latest technology will give staff and researchers at GDERL exciting opportunities to establish leading edge research collaboration with industry in both countries and with Dassault Systèmes.”

“The GDERL’s reputation as an international center for advanced research and higher learning will be strengthened by our partnership with Dassault Systèmes,” said Bill Reiter, Boeing Professor Design/Manufacturing, Oregon State University. “Our students will be exposed to cutting-edge PLM solutions that will help them in their research and design activities, not to mention prepare them for their careers in the workplace.”

“This agreement will have the twofold benefit of increasing awareness about PLM on both sides of the Atlantic,“ said Francis Bernard, Executive Committee Advisor, Dassault Systèmes. “In addition, promoting the Digital Enterprise by providing strategic technologies to academic institutions is a major focus of our ongoing efforts. This partnership will help to leverage the power of our joint knowledge, expertise and innovation to enhance the competitiveness of local industry."