HKUST, Dassault Systemes, IBM and Mtech create the Digital Enterprise Laboratory in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Dassault Systemes, IBM and Mtech Engineering Co Ltd., announced today that they have joined forces to establish the Digital Enterprise Laboratory within the Advanced Manufacturing Institute of HKUST.

Hong Kong (China), February 24, 2000--The inauguration of the Digital Enterprise Laboratory will take place in the presence of the four key partners on February 28 in the Academic Building of HKUST.

The main goal of this innovative creation is to help local manufacturing companies upgrade design technology and enter the e-commerce driven manufacturing business. The Laboratory will provide them with training and support in leading-edge software-based design technology.

The Digital Enterprise Laboratory is an initiative of HKUST and is endorsed and supported by Dassault Systemes, IBM and Mtec. Dassault Systemes and IBM will contribute actively by providing the Laboratory with advanced technology software licences, including CATIA Version 5 and ENOVIA Solutions. The Laboratory will also benefit from the experience of ten manufacturing companies that signed on as strategic partners.

"The explosive growth of e-commerce is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. We envision that successful companies will be those which can build upon the strength of conventional commerce to create a new business model where customers from any corner of the world can receive the best value offered anywhere in the world," says Prof. Mitchell M. Tseng, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, HKUST.

"Dassault Systemes is proud to be part of this four-partner initiative. As part of its strategy, the company is willing to create partnership and build networked companies that help implement the Digital Enterprise Vision. Today, with this Laboratory, Dassault Systemes is joining forces to provide leading-edge tools and thus promote the revolution in the manufacturing industry," explains Francis Bernard, Executive Committee Advisor and Member of Board of Dassault Systemes.

"This Laboratory will provide Asian manufacturers with the power of Digital Enterprise technology and help them create significant business opportunities. IBM Engineering Solutions plays an active role in this partnership, as we provide added-value support and services," adds Yu Xu Guang, IBM China Engineering Solutions Manager.

"To be successful on the market, local industries have to optimize their use of manufacturing tools and make radical changes towards new product development processes. This Digital Enterprise Laboratory will help customers achieve this technological breaktrough," specifies Stephen Au, Managing Director of Mtech Engineering Co Ltd, which will provide the Laboratory with technical support and product development assistance.