ENAER to Implement World-Class Aeronautical Design Solutions with PLM Technologies from IBM and Dassault Systèmes

Product Lifecycle Management solution will enable improvements in customer response time and quality

Santiago, Chile, and Paris, France – February 18, 2003 – IBM and Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced the signing of a million-dollar Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution contract with ENAER, Chile’s national aeronautical company.

The IBM PLM solution, with CATIA® and SMARTEAM® developed by Dassault Systèmes, will enable ENAER to standardize its entire product development platform, while realizing significant cost reductions. ENAER will be the first company in the Latin American aerospace supplier market to possess this leading-edge technology, which will enable it to pursue market opportunities at a global level.

ENAER will be able to offer other aerospace manufacturers solutions for the conception, design and manufacture of aircraft parts and structures. The company will also be able to enhance its end-to-end internal production chain by tying together its design, engineering and manufacturing processes, as well as linking suppliers and customers. Finally, ENAER will be able to optimize the design of its own products and increase its maintenance services for military and commercial aircraft.

“ENAER wants to be a leader in the aeronautical industry, and therefore we have signed an agreement with IBM that provides us with best business solutions in order to support our growth plans,” said Alfredo Guzmán, executive director at ENAER. “Thus, we are also betting on research and development as a company’s strategic decision, in order to provide added value to these products that are manufactured in Chile.”

Luis Siles, IBM Chile General Manager said “This alliance is a milestone for the domestic and Latin American aeronautical industries and opens up new horizons for equivalent industries, and is a great example of how IBM helps customers transform into on demand businesses by enabling them to become more highly responsive, focused, resilient and variable in fiercely competitive marketplaces.”

“CATIA is the de facto industry standard in the aerospace sector,” said Marcelo Lemos, president of Dassault Systemes of America. “Combined with SMARTEAM’s cutting-edge collaborative product data management capabilities, it will help ENAER compete in the international aerospace market, as well as achieve its mission to provide superior products to the Chilean Air Force and contribute to Chile’s national aeronautical development.”

In order to implement this solution, IBM will be supported by Dassault Systèmes of America and also by Cardix S.A. of Argentina, IBM PLM Business Partner, for installation, training, best practices and post-implementation support.