IBM and Dassault Systèmes to Host 9th ECF European PLM Forum in Frankfurt, October 4-6, 2005

Europe’s most important PLM forum to feature a comprehensive program to help manufacturers unleash the business benefits of PLM

Paris, France – August 31, 2005 - IBM and Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced that the 2005 ECF will be held October 4-6 at the Messe in Frankfurt, Germany.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

This international symposium – the largest of its kind in the area of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) – will bring together executives, managers, project leaders, IT experts, business leaders, developers, consultants, and users of PLM Solutions from IBM and Dassault Systèmes. 

Daratech, a leading industry Analyst Firm, projects that spending on PLM software and services will reach $10.6 billion in 2005, up 11% over 2004. According to Daratech “It is more apparent than ever that manufacturers recognize that innovation — and not continued cost-cutting — will ultimately lead to success.” Daratech adds: “PLM is a way to be more competitive, a way to innovate and to capture and monetize that innovation”.

This year, the forum will feature a new and original format to educate delegates on how to harness PLM Solutions to create competitive advantages, with sessions on business strategy using PLM, real-life customer implementations, PLM product strategy and trends and workshops on implementation processes, best practices and new product functionality.

As in years past, this year’s forum will focus on the goals and challenges facing manufacturing industries, with sessions designed to help users of IBM PLM Solutions, developed by Dassault Systèmes, benefit from the experiences of world-leading manufacturers

For complete information about the ECF, including the full agenda and registration kit, please visit www.ecforum.com.