IBM and Dassault Systèmes Launch Industry Initiative to Drive Innovation Across the Enterprise

PLM leaders launch solutions in Electronics, Consumer Packaged Goods and other industries to transform product development

Paris, France, February 9, 2006 ─ IBM and Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSYPA) today announced a new cross-industry initiative aimed at fostering innovation and transforming the way their customers design, manufacture and deliver products to the market. The set of solutions which make up this initiative will help clients increase revenue and market share while driving product differentiation and cost reduction, particularly in industries where responding to customers on demand is critical, such as the Electronics and Consumer Packaged Goods industries.

"IBM and Dassault Systèmes partnership has never been stronger, as we continue to drive innovation in the PLM market, combining our research, development and services expertise to bring cutting-edge PLM solutions to the market," said Mike Borman, vice president, Worldwide Software Sales, IBM. "We are committed to working together with our strategic partner Dassault Systèmes to share best practices and make significant joint investments over the next two years that will provide clients with solutions to respond rapidly and successfully to changing customer needs."

As part of the joint initiative, IBM and Dassault Systèmes are delivering a set of solutions and services for Relational Product Development, Supply Chain Collaboration and Enterprise Integration. These solutions are designed to integrate product development and delivery for businesses across the entire enterprise and through an extended network of partners, suppliers and distributors.

The joint offerings provide businesses with deep insight into how consumers or their business customers might interact with future products, and manage the entire process from design concept to actual offerings. The PLM-based solutions feed data and information on products into the entire value chain, from Enterprise Resource Planning, throughout the supply chain and customer service management.

With the combination of the three solution areas - Relational Product Development, Supply Chain Collaboration and Enterprise Integration - IBM and Dassault Systèmes will transform the way clients generate sustainable innovation, by streamlining the product development model, integrating data and processes across engineering, manufacturing and other enterprise-wide processes. This will connect data and processes with their extended network of partners and suppliers.

The PLM solutions leverage a set of product development technologies and best practices based on CATIA V5, ENOVIA, SMARTEAM, DELMIA, SIMULIA and 3DXML, all developed by Dassault Systemes. These solutions are combined with IBM PLM end-to-end solutions, IBM Websphere Business Integration, IBM Websphere Portal, IBM Workplace and IBM consulting and integration services.

"Our ongoing success with world-class customers confirms that we have created a comprehensive integrated product portfolio around V5 PLM architecture. This virtualizes the entire product pipeline, from concept to delivery," said Etienne Droit, executive vice president, PLM Sales & Distribution, Dassault Systèmes. "The strength of the partnership with IBM will accelerate the adoption of PLM as a business transformation enabler, creating a collaborative environment for companies in all industries."